Saturday 9: American Soldier

Saturday 9: American Soldier (2003)

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

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it.

A. I have veterans in my family, but I do not know of any relatives who are actively in the military now.

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating?

A. I have worked on federal holidays, and my husband, who was a firefighter, worked on many federal holidays.

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base?

A. I visited a military base called Fort Story in Virginia Beach in 2017. We went on the base to see an historic lighthouse on Cape Henry. You can read about our visit here. I did not like being searched when we entered the base.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover?

A. I love dogs, but I am allergic to them to the point where I can't be around them without having a reaction.

 

5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

A. I like watermelon.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup?

A. I don't eat ice cream anymore, but I hope to partake of a hot fudge sundae one of those days just because. I would prefer a cup, if I could eat ice cream.

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?

A. I don't use mosquito repellent. I use little things you wear on your wrist that are supposed to keep the bugs away. I'm sure they have a name, but it escapes me at the moment. I also tend to wear long sleeves and long pants to keep from being eaten by bugs.

8) Or swam?

A. It's been a very long time since I went swimming. 

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on?

A. At the moment, there is nothing running except the air purifier. We are having a pleasant day that doesn't require the air conditioner.

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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. 

Is Anybody Listening?

AI Image

A reflection on AI, loneliness, and the lost art of conversation

The other day, I was talking with a friend who mentioned she’d been having issues with her boyfriend. I remembered their brief breakup over the holidays. She hadn’t taken it well.

“I got through it with an AI therapist,” she told me.

Really? There are AI therapists?

Apparently so. A quick Google search brought up a list of the top-rated ones for 2025. Most offer a 7-day free trial, after which there’s a fee to continue. Some still provide access to basic advice even without a subscription.

It made me wonder if AI will eventually become everyone’s therapist. There’s something to be said for in-person talking. A chatbot might express concern or outrage on your behalf, but how would you know if it says that to everyone? It’s certainly not your friend.

Then again, therapists aren’t supposed to be your friends either, although over time it can feel that way. Still, we’re paying to be heard.

And maybe that’s what gets to me. That we’ve reached a point where so many people need to be heard, and not enough people are listening. So here come the AI therapists, who will now step in where actual humans no longer tread. We don’t take time anymore to hear each other’s stories, to ask why someone feels the way they do, or to understand the long path behind someone’s point of view.

We live in a 140-character world with short bursts of thought, shouted into the void. Background and context get left behind. Everyone’s yelling, typing whatever comes to mind, and in the end, we’re drowning in half-told tales. Most of them signify nothing, because stories told in fury rarely carry truth.

Or maybe they do mean something, but only to certain people. Bullies love a short format. It’s hard to argue with a tweet. Or an “X.” Whatever they call it now.

I’ve read that loneliness is becoming a major public health threat in the U.S. The kind that affects your body as well as your heart.

Can AI step in as someone’s best friend? I’m not sure. I’ve played with it, but I don’t have a mic on my desktop, so I don’t use the voice feature. My laptop has one and the one time I used it, it sounded robotic.

I’ve had Alexa for years. She’s chipper enough, but she can’t carry on a conversation. Maybe newer versions can, but mine are older and I've no plans to replace them. Frankly, between Alexa and Siri, I already feel like I’m under constant surveillance.

And Siri? She’s not much of a talker, either.

Once upon a time, people actually talked about deep things. They discussed the stars, big ideas, good books, the best way to diaper a baby, work struggles, or the price of hamburger. They shared stories and passed a beer between friends.

I still have a few people I can talk with like that, and I cherish them. Those rare relationships are the ones where we go deep and take time with each other. Most people skim the surface of every problem. Some made up their minds years ago and haven’t listened since. Maybe they never did. Maybe they were kids when they stopped, convinced they were always right.

No one is right about everything.

Not even AI. I’ve seen it get confused. Sometimes it spits out something funny, but other times it can be alarming. And if a computer bot can get that turned around, imagine what goes on inside the human mind.

Thursday Thirteen

Today, we offer up a list of 13 notorious traitors and their betrayals, in no particular order.

1. Benedict Arnold – A celebrated American general during the Revolutionary War, Arnold switched sides and plotted to surrender West Point to the British. His betrayal was discovered, but he escaped and fought for the British.

2. Judas Iscariot – One of Jesus’ twelve disciples, Judas betrayed him to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

3. Aldrich Ames – A CIA officer who secretly worked for the Soviet Union, revealing the identities of American spies and causing multiple deaths. He was arrested in 1994.

4. Robert Hanssen – An FBI agent who sold classified U.S. intelligence to Russia for over 20 years, compromising national security. He was caught in 2001 and sentenced to life in prison.

5. Mir Jafar – An Indian noble who conspired with the British East India Company to betray his own army at the Battle of Plassey, leading to British control over Bengal.

6. Wang Jingwei – A Chinese politician who initially fought against Japan but later collaborated with the Japanese during WWII, leading a puppet government.

7. Louis Riel – A Canadian leader who led the North-West Rebellion against the Canadian government. He was convicted of treason and executed in 1885.

8. Ephialtes of Trachis – A Greek traitor who revealed a secret path to the Persian army during the Battle of Thermopylae, leading to the defeat of the Spartan forces.

9. Harold “Paul” Cole – A British double agent who worked for the Nazis during WWII, exposing resistance networks and causing the deaths of many operatives.

10. John Brown – An abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry in an attempt to start a slave rebellion. He was captured and executed for treason against Virginia.

11. John Anthony Walker Jr. – A U.S. Navy officer who spied for the Soviet Union for nearly two decades, providing them with crucial military intelligence.

12. Douglas Chandler, Robert Best, and Mildred Gillars ("Axis Sally") – Americans who broadcast Nazi propaganda during WWII, attempting to demoralize Allied troops.

13. Richard Rich – A key figure in the trial of Sir Thomas More, Rich provided false testimony that led to More’s execution under Henry VIII.

Sources: 

List of people convicted of treason – Covers historical figures who were officially convicted of treason. 

The Most Infamous Cases of Betrayal in US History – Focuses on American traitors and spies.

15 Most Infamous Traitors in History – A broader look at notorious traitors across different eras.

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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 908th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Scribble

 

Regina Raccoon & Tom Turkey

 

It's unusual to see raccoons out during the day - except this time of year
 when they've had kits.

Tom found himself a girlfriend!

He put on quite a show for her.

I don't know if he was successful or not.

Five Things

 

In solidarity with federal workers, I started listing 5 things I did last week every Monday. I don't know if they still have to do that, but I have kept it up since it's a quick way to get something on the blog for Monday. Since I don't have a regular job, it's a fairly mundane list.

1. Fixed (I hope) a relative's issue with her computer.

2. Went to the bank.

3. My husband and I went to Walmart for a stock-up trip. I don't like to shop there, but around here there aren't many options. We went to the Walmart on the far side of the city where the rich people live as it is generally better stocked. We were shopping and the power went out. It did not come back on. We were not able to finish getting what we needed though they were able to check us out with what we had. The checkout machines have batteries, we were told, but they wouldn't last long. The associates stopped letting people into the store. The power had been out for almost 1/2 hour when we left.

4. My helper came, and we cleaned the house.

5. Did the usual daily chores, walked on the treadmill every day except Sunday, went to the grocery store, etc.

Sunday Stealing

Last week we shared questions that centered around your bathroom. This week, with questions stolen from Manic Monday, we're moving to the bedroom.

Back to Bed

1. Let's say your alarm wakes you up with music. What would be the worst song to hear first thing in the morning?

A. A funeral dirge.

2. How many pillows do you sleep with?

A. I sleep on a big wedge pillow with a round pillow under my neck, and two pillows under my knees and feet.

3. What size mattress do you sleep on?

A. We sleep on a queen-sized mattress.

4. Do you always sleep on the same side of the bed?

A. I always sleep on the same side of the bed.

5. Do you make your bed every day?

A. I make my bed every day.

6. Do you keep water on your bedside table?

A. I keep water on the bedside table. We like the little 8 oz water bottles for that. They have a lid and so you can't spill them all over the bed, unless you can't get the lid back on.

7. How often do you change your sheets?

A. I change my sheets once a week unless one of us becomes sick. Then I might change them daily or as required.

8. What's under your bed?

A. I imagine there is a little dust under there, but that's all. And there shouldn't be much of that.

9. Do you sleep in total darkness or do you like to have a light on?

A. It is not totally dark in my bedroom because of light from the alarm clocks, but I do not sleep with a light on.

10. What do you remember about your childhood bedroom?

A. My childhood bedroom had white furniture with a canopy twin bed. It looked a little like this, but not exactly:

Stolen from Pinterest

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

__________

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: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us

Saturday 9: Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now (1987)

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

1) In this song, Gracie Slick challenges, "Let them say we're crazy!" Tell us about something you're glad you did, even though your friends or family may have advised you against it.

A. I am glad I went to work for the newspaper and became a writer. My mother in particular was totally against that as a career path, but it was what I wanted. Well, I also wanted to be a ghost writer and write Nancy Drew books, but they stopped publishing them.

 

2) Slick is the lead singer of Jefferson Starship. This band got its start in 1965 as Jefferson Airplane but updated their name in 1974. Part of their reasoning was that by the 1970s, airplane travel was commonplace. In 2023, an estimated 820 million Americans flew domestically. When was your most recent flight? When is your next one?

A. I haven't been on a plane in 30 years, and given the state of things, I have no plans to be on one anytime soon.

 

3) Songwriter Albert Hammond said the song was inspired by his divorce. After years of legal wrangling, he was finally free to marry his long-time, long-suffering girlfriend. They're still married today. What is something you waited a long time for? Was it worth the wait?

A. I took 8 years to obtain my 4-year bachelor's degree. It was definitely worth it. I wouldn't give up that knowledge for anything, even if I don't remember a lot of it now.

 

4) Albert Hammond is perhaps best known as the one-hit wonder who sang, "It Never Rains in Southern California." Is rain expected where you are today?

A. We have thunderstorms in the weather forecast. We have been in a moderate drought, and then we had too much rain all at once, so it ran off and turned into small stream flooding as opposed to being a soothing rain that seeped into the ground. Rain is welcome.

 

5) He co-wrote the song with Diane Warren. In January, she lost her home to the Los Angeles fires. When a friend is confronted by heartache or tragedy, what can you say or do for them? What shouldn't you say or do?

A. When a friend is confronted by heartache or tragedy, sometimes the best thing is a long hug and silence. I personally do not find things like, "It was for the best," or "It was God's will," to be comforting, so I don't say those things. Oh, and take a vegetable tray instead of a cake or other snack food. They need to be able to eat something healthy without thinking about it.

6) "Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now" was the love theme to the romantic fantasy Mannequin. In that movie, a department store mannequin comes to life and falls for a struggling artist. While it was a moderate success at the box office, the gritty Vietnam drama Platoon was a much bigger hit. When you sit down to watch a movie, what genre would you prefer (fantasy, romance, comedy, drama, etc.)?

A. My movie preference depends on my mood. But generally, I like fantasy or drama, so long as it's not overly gory.

 

7) In 1987, when this song was popular, Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aretha was proud of her Detroit roots. Have you been to Michigan? If yes, where did you go?

A. I may have passed through Michigan a long time ago, but it has never been a destination point.

 

8) In 1987, the Chevy Corvette made news by adding a low tire pressure light to its dashboard. When you're driving and a yellow warning light comes on, do you handle the issue promptly? Or is it something you'll get to when you get around to it?

A. If a warning light comes on in my vehicle, I take care of it as soon as possible.

9) Random question: A magic mirror reflects your appearance five years from today. Would you look at it?

A. I would look into the mirror. The future is never written in stone.

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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. 

Mary, Queen of Scots

AI Image

On May 16, 1568, Mary, Queen of Scots made a desperate escape to England after her forces were defeated at the Battle of Langside. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of her downfall. What she hoped would be a refuge soon became a prison, ultimately leading to her execution in 1587.

Mary’s life was marked by political upheaval from the moment she was born. Crowned queen as an infant after the death of her father, King James V, her early years were spent away from Scotland. To secure an alliance between Scotland and France, she was sent to the French court, where she was raised in luxury and refinement. Her marriage to the Dauphin, Francis II, elevated her to Queen of France, but his early death forced her to return to Scotland in 1561—a land she barely knew.

Upon her arrival, Mary faced a deeply divided kingdom. Scotland had undergone a Protestant Reformation, and as a Catholic queen, she struggled to assert her authority over Protestant nobles and religious leaders. Despite her efforts to rule with tolerance, tensions between Catholic and Protestant factions led to increasing opposition. One of her most formidable adversaries was John Knox, the fiery Protestant reformer who openly challenged her reign.

Mary’s political struggles were compounded by her personal life. Her marriage to Henry Stuart, Lord Darnley, initially strengthened her claim to the English throne, but soon deteriorated into scandal. Darnley proved to be arrogant and unstable, and their relationship became tumultuous. His mysterious murder in 1567, widely believed to have been orchestrated by nobles, cast suspicion on Mary. Her subsequent marriage to James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell, the man suspected of Darnley’s murder, led to an outcry from Scottish nobles and the public. Accused of conspiracy and unable to quell the rebellion, Mary was forced to abdicate in favor of her infant son, James VI.

The Battle of Langside: A Queen’s Last Stand

The Battle of Langside, fought on May 13, 1568, was a defining moment in Mary’s struggle to reclaim her throne. After escaping imprisonment at Lochleven Castle, she gathered a force of around 6,000 men, intending to march to Dumbarton Castle, a strategic stronghold.

However, her half-brother, James Stewart, Earl of Moray, who ruled as Regent for James VI, was prepared. Moray’s forces, though smaller in number (around 4,000 men), were strategically positioned and led by some of Scotland’s most experienced commanders.

Mary’s forces attempted to advance through Langside, a village south of Glasgow, but Moray’s army blocked their path. The battle was fierce but short-lived—lasting only about 45 minutes. Moray’s well-disciplined troops, supported by William Kirkcaldy of Grange, a skilled military strategist, outmaneuvered Mary’s forces. The Queen’s army suffered over 100 casualties, while Moray’s side lost only one soldier.

Defeated and with no safe refuge in Scotland, Mary fled south on that fateful day 457 years ago, seeking protection from her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England. Instead of receiving aid, she was imprisoned for nearly 19 years, ultimately leading to her execution in 1587. The Battle of Langside was not just a military defeat—it sealed Mary’s fate, forcing her into exile and captivity. After her execution, she left behind a legacy of political intrigue, tragic misfortune, and an enduring connection to Britain’s royal line.

Sources:

• Wikipedia
• Mary Queen of Scots History

Thursday Thirteen

Do you remember these items that I grew up with, most of which are now either gone or just shadows of themselves?

 

1. Did you look up numbers in telephone books, those thick directories that everyone had by the phone?

2. Was an 8-track tape player in your vehicle, along with those bulky tapes? They were the predecessors to cassettes.

3. How about those rotary dial phones? Your finger did the dialing. And you can slam that thing down very satisfactorily on a call gone wrong.

4. And then there were TV antennas (rabbit ears) that ultimately looked somewhat alien because there was tinfoil attached to them to try to get a clear picture. Do you remember adjusting them this way and that? And do you remember having to get up to change the channel on the television set?

5. Before there was Google, there was the World Book Encyclopedia, or Brittanica, as the case may be. That's where you went for all of your information. No typing in and clicking search. You had to at least know the alphabet and have some idea of how to find something.

6. Did you ever use a pay phone to call for a ride home? They used to be everywhere - in the stores, on the street corners. I wonder where Superman changes clothes these days?

7. Floppy disks were the storage method of choice in the early days of computers. They seemed high-tech at the time, especially when they went from the 5 1/4 inch to the 3.5-inch disks.

8. Did your first car have an ashtray and a cigarette lighter?

9. I used to roll carbon paper into a typewriter so I'd have a copy of my work. Do they even make that anymore?

10. My mother and grandmother collected S&H Green Stamps. I remember licking stamps and putting them in the books for whatever reward my mother wanted. There was a little catalog to pick things from, and she could get a toaster or a blender, stuff like that. I think they were no longer a thing by the time I married, though.

11. Did you attend the movies at the drive-in theater? I remember going to see many shows at them, most of which I was supposed to sleep through, but I watched through half-closed eyes. There are still some drive-in movie theaters, but they’re rare.

12. When it was raining outside, the gym teacher would pull out the reel-to-reel projector and show some film on health. Do you remember the flap-flap sound the film made when it broke?

13. I carried a metal lunchbox with a thermos occasionally, though I mostly bought my school lunches at the cafeteria. I seem to remember a Scooby Doo lunchbox, but maybe that was my brother's. Or possibly one that I coveted that belonged to someone else. (Which is another way of saying I don't really remember what was on my lunchbox.)

_________________

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 907th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

I Think It Just Means I’m Human

AI Image

We almost all have feelings of inadequacy, insecurity, sadness, bewilderment, and low self-esteem, unless we’re suffering from a personality disorder like narcissism. And most of us want to be a good person.

Being a good person isn’t about being perfect. It’s about the choices we make every day, how we treat others, and how we handle challenges. If a person is kind, honest, and strives to do what’s right, that’s a strong sign of a decent human.

What other ways might we be good humans? How about these questions: Do you listen to others and show empathy? Do you take responsibility for your actions? Do you try to make the world around you a little better?

Hopefully, we all do that. But sometimes, we can be too hard on ourselves. Our perspectives might get skewed, or maybe they’ve been skewed by someone else. But one person’s viewpoint, including your own on a bad day, doesn’t define who you are.

For me, one of the biggest things is feeling heard. As a woman, it’s easy to feel voiceless in a patriarchal world, where male voices, especially white male voices, are often the ones that count. It’s painful when people don’t really hear us. It can make you feel invisible, like your feelings and experiences don’t matter.

But my perspective, everyone's really, is valid. All voices deserve to be heard.

Sometimes, people get so caught up in their own version of events that they don’t realize they’re shutting others out. That’s someone who may not be ready or willing to truly listen.

Feeling unheard can be isolating and exhausting. You can do your best and still feel like a ghost in the conversation. But that reflects more on the listener’s inability to see or acknowledge what’s being said than on the speaker.

All of our experiences, our emotions, our truths matter. Whether or not someone else chooses to recognize them doesn’t make them any less real.

When someone feels unheard, it’s natural to build walls to protect the self and try to control how one is perceived. When your perspective is constantly dismissed, it can make you second-guess yourself. That can lead to habits like over-apologizing and striving for perfection. But perfection? It's an impossible standard, and no one needs to earn their worth that way.

Sometimes, all we can do is strive to create a connection. Maybe we share knowledge, experiences, and interests in a meaningful way that feels safe. It’s like extending a hand without exposing the deepest parts of yourself. We offer something valuable without the weight of vulnerability.

We all need to build a life, a voice, and a community that is ours. We get to choose who is a part of that. We get to shape our own story. Maybe the most important family is the one we create: the people who support us, who hear us, who make life feel lighter instead of heavier.

There’s resilience in that. It takes strength to move forward, even if it’s in tiny increments, every day.

Sometimes the goal isn’t to fix everything. Sometimes we just need to create a moment of relief, a way to breathe a little easier. Even if the weight doesn’t fully lift, having something that helps, even just a little, is important.

Someone told me recently that when they look at me, they see someone who is thoughtful, who has endured difficult things without becoming cruel, who strives to understand herself and the world around her.

That, they said, is goodness.

I think it just means I’m human.

No Joy in Hacks

Spoilers for Hacks ahead. Maybe. You've been warned.

Image may be subject to copyright.

My husband and I both loved the first three seasons of Hacks, which shows on MAX. The show is about an older female comedian Deborah Vance (played by Jean Smart) who takes on a young writer Ava Daniels (played by Hannah Einbinder), and how they work together to make Vance's career improve. Together they create a gateway to stardom.

Season 3 ended with Ava blackmailing Vance in order to get the head writer's job as Vance became the first female late night talk show host.

Season 4 has, in my opinion, been perfectly awful.

Oh, it's well acted, and I see accolades online about it, but I have not found anything funny about it. The hostility between the leads has been beyond the pale and so over the top as to be stomach churningly disgusting.

I do not find hate and bitterness funny. I find it sad.

The trampling of a relationship, even one that may be salvaged by the season's end, is nothing to laugh about. I appreciate a little tension as much as anyone, but not vile hatred.

The boss/underling dynamic is overwrought, and the supporting characters are, generally speaking, not helping anything one bit. I don't care about the agent and his co-agent woman, nor do I care about the HR lady who must keep Deborah and Ava from snapping at one another. I don't know the names of any of the other writers for the make-believe late-night show, nor do I care to know them. There has been no reason for me to care.

There have been good moments, and the acting is superb for what it is, but they have taken away what I liked about the show. I liked the relationship between Deborah and Ava, I liked that there was an older woman making friends with a younger woman, and that they both were trying to learn about each other's worlds. That was what I liked.

I don't like the constant sniping and bitchiness.

The show that just dropped offered a glimmer of hope that the last few episodes may turn things around a bit, but if the next episode isn't an improvement, I don't know that I will finish out the season.

Five Things

 

In solidarity with federal workers, I started listing 5 things I did last week every Monday. I don't know if they still have to do that, but I have kept it up since it's a quick way to get something on the blog for Monday. Since I don't have a regular job, it's a fairly mundane list.

1. Took care of house and husband.

2. Took relative to two different doctor appointments.

3. Ordered Mother's Day flowers

4. Wrote several poems.

5. Paid the bills.

Sunday Stealing

The Bathroom Meme

1. Do you shampoo once or lather, rinse and repeat?

A. I shampoo once.

2. Do you use conditioner a) daily, b) when you need it, c) never?

A. I use conditioner daily.

3. What's your shaving cream preference: foam or gel?

A. I use soap.

4. Is your toothbrush manual or electric?

A. It's battery powered. I am considering the purchase of an electric one.

5. Dental floss, soft picks, neither or both? 

A. I use both.

6. Do you use mouthwash a) daily, b) when you need it, c) never?

A. I use it daily.

7. Are there magazines in your bathroom?

A. There are magazines in one bathroom, none in the other.

8. Is there bar soap or liquid soap on your bathroom sink? 

A. Bar soap in one bathroom, liquid soap in the other.

9. What kind of soap is in your shower?

A. Bar soap and body wash.

10. Now for the most important question: does the toilet paper drape over or under?

A. It drapes over when I install it. My husband tends to put it without concern for the direction.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

__________

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: Mama Liked the Roses

Saturday 9: Mama Liked the Roses (1970)

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

1) In this song, Elvis tells us his mother loved tending the roses in the garden. Do you have a green thumb?

A. I don't do as much gardening as I once did, but I used to have a green thumb.

2) Mama would put the roses in a vase in the living room. Do you have cut flowers in your home right now?

A. I do not have cut flowers in my house. Because of my allergies, I don't do that. 

 

3) Elvis sings that he found Mama's rose petals pressed in the family Bible. Have you ever pressed petals in a book? If yes, what occasion were you commemorating?

A. I don't recall ever doing that. I might have pressed a 4-leaf clover in a book.

4) OK, so now we know Mama liked roses. What about you? Would you prefer white, pink, yellow or red roses?

A. I used to grow roses. We dug them up a few years ago and replaced the rose garden with rocks and potted plants. I loved the pink ones, and I had one that bloomed orange that I was partial to because it was personal to me.

5) Elvis' own mother, Gladys Presley, had a major impact on pop culture. When her son was 11, he asked for either a rifle or a bicycle for his birthday. She deemed the rifle too dangerous and the bike too expensive, and so he chose a guitar instead. The rest is history. Tell us about a special birthday gift from your youth.

A. I don't recall many special birthday gifts. We had cake and a small toy; most of our big gifts came at Christmas. But it seems to me I may have received store-bought blue jeans for my birthday when I was heading into the seventh grade. My mother made many of my clothes and I yearned for store-bought blue jeans. I still love blue jeans.

 

6) Abraham Lincoln credited his stepmother, Sarah, for her lasting influence on his life, saying she ignited his love of reading and learning. Tell us about a woman -- mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, teacher, neighbor -- who changed your life for the better.

A. My mother-in-law changed my life for the better by giving birth to my husband. She raised him well and he turned out to be a wonderful, caring man. She's also pretty special in her own right and has been a good example to me of how to age gracefully.

7) Mother's Day is almost upon us. According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on this holiday, with revenue up more than 80% on Mother's Day weekend. When did you last dine at a restaurant? Was it a special occasion?

A. We ate out a few weeks ago. It was just an "I'm tired of eating the same things at the house, let's go out" occasion.

8) Candles are a big seller for Mother's Day, too. What's your favorite candle scent?

A. I only use unscented candles. They are hard to find.

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds?

A. I would prefer milk chocolate, please.

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

Thursday Thirteen

 

Here is a list of some weird items you can buy online, links included.

1. Mini Hand Squirrel – Tiny vinyl squirrel finger covers that turn your hand into a bizarre woodland creature. Find it here.

2. Rubber Chicken Purse – Make a fashion statement that says, “Yes, I am clucking fabulous.” Bonus: doubles as an impromptu comedy prop. Check it out.

3. Toilet Timer – Give your bathroom philosopher friends a subtle nudge. Sand runs out in five minutes, but existential pondering is forever. See it here.

4. Bacon Strip Bandages – Heal your wounds while making everyone question whether you’ve cooked yourself. Not edible, but undeniably hilarious. Get them here.

5. Anatomy Swimsuit – Science meets beachwear! Impress your fellow swimmers while deeply confusing lifeguards. Take a look.

6. Cat Tongue Brush – Want to bond with your cat like a real feline parent? This brush lets you groom them by “licking” them. Results may include deep regret. Find it here.

7. Urinal Shot Glasses – Because nothing makes taking a shot more appealing than miniature plumbing fixtures. Cheers? Check them out.

8. Handerpants – Underwear for your hands. Because traditional gloves were too mainstream. Fashion crime or genius invention? You decide. See them here.

9. Hot Dog Soap – Nothing says “refreshing” like rubbing a soap bar shaped like a meaty snack all over yourself. Try explaining this to house guests. Get it here.

10. Human Face Stress Balls – Squish away stress with these unsettlingly realistic face-shaped stress balls. Perfect for lighthearted therapy or creeping out co-workers. Find them here.

11. Shrek Toothpaste Cap – Every morning, the mighty Shrek emerges to bless your dental hygiene journey. Because brushing should be an ogre-sized adventure. Check it out.

12. Baguette Pillow – The dream of cuddling a loaf of bread is finally a reality! Perfect for the carb enthusiast who refuses to sleep in anything less than full French bakery luxury. See it here.

13. Throw Throw Burrito – A dodgeball card game where soft burritos become projectiles. Finally, a reason to pelt your loved ones with food without starting a family feud. Get it here.

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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 906th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Joan of Arc on May 7, 1429

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I recently started watching a 5-part documentary series called Warrior Women on Amazon Prime. It is narrated by Lucy Lawless (who played Xena: Warrior Princess on the show of the same name). Her first story was about Joan of Arc. I've always been fascinated by this young woman, who somehow managed to lead armies into battle only to end up burned at the stake.

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Imagine a city teetering on the edge of defeat, surrounded by enemies, its people losing hope. Enter Joan of Arc—a teenage peasant with an unshakable belief in her divine mission, clad in armor, leading an army into battle with unwavering conviction. What happened on May 7, 1429, was nothing less than extraordinary.

The Siege of Orléans: A Leader Like No Other

By the time Joan arrived at Orléans, the English siege had lasted over seven months. The city was starving, morale was crumbling, and surrender seemed inevitable. But Joan—just 17 years old, fiercely determined, and radiating an almost supernatural charisma—believed she was sent by God to drive the English out of France.

Though many doubted her, she refused to be dismissed. She convinced Charles VII, the hesitant French king, to let her lead an army—a decision that would change everything. This was not just about military strategy. This was about hope.

The Storming of Les Tourelles: Joan’s Defining Moment

On May 7, 1429, Joan led a daring assault on the English stronghold of Les Tourelles, a fortress guarding the entrance to Orléans. With her banner held high, she rallied troops like no other leader could. Her presence on the battlefield was electrifying, not just because she fought, but because she inspired.

As the battle raged, Joan was struck by an arrow, falling to the ground. Anyone else might have retreated, but Joan was not anyone else. She insisted on returning to the fight, despite the injury, charging forward with renewed determination. Her soldiers—previously disheartened—matched her energy, overwhelming the English forces.

By nightfall, the French claimed victory. The next day, the English abandoned their siege. Joan had not only won a battle—she had transformed the war.

Why This Day Mattered

Joan’s triumph at Orléans was not just a military success—it was a psychological victory for France. The tide of the Hundred Years’ War began to shift. Over the next few months, Joan continued to lead armies, paving the way for Charles VII’s coronation.

But her rise was meteoric—and dangerous. Her unwavering faith and unorthodox leadership made her both revered and feared. In 1431, she was captured and burned at the stake as a heretic. Yet even in death, she remained resolute, refusing to renounce her visions.

Centuries later, she was canonized as a saint.

Joan of Arc was not just a warrior—she was a visionary, a leader, and a woman who defied every expectation. Her sheer conviction, courage, and refusal to accept defeat made May 7, 1429, a day that changed history.

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More on the Courthouse Demolition

 

The brick buildings to the left will stay.

What's left of the structure as of Sunday.

The Botetourt County Courthouse demolition continues. The county plans to replace this building with a $30 million structure that will have two circuit court courtrooms and plenty of space for whatever else is needed, along with accessibility and safety features.

Anyway, that was the plan last time I saw it. Given the current administration's weird fixation on things that makes life a little easier for some folks, I can only assume that the locality will move forward with what was approved, even if accessibility features might be "woke" because apparently handicapped people don't need to use the courtroom or something.

This is what the new structure is supposed to look like:

This is what the old structure looked like (without the steeple):

I wrote about this a few weeks ago here, when the front was still in place. It is gone now. Soon this will be just a memory.

Also, if you're interested in seeing the construction as it happens, it can be viewed at fincastlecourthousecam.com. There's a live cam showing the process.