Saturday 9: A Sleepin' Bee (1957)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) This song is about the wonder of first love. How would you describe the sensation of falling in love?
A. It's like seeing the moon for the first time, coming across the Grand Canyon without knowing it is there, or walking through virgin woods.
2) This 1957 album was the first Diahann Carroll ever recorded. More recently she recorded "A, You're Adorable," a nursery rhyme. (The lyrics are here.) Give us some words to a children's song that remain in your head to this day.
A. Daisy, Daisy, give us your answer, do. I'm half crazy, all for the love of you. It won't be a stylish marriage, I can't afford a carriage. But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two.
My grandmother used to sing that to us grandchildren when we'd come to her, all teary from some fall or harsh word. She's swoop us up into her arms, plop down in the rocker, and sing.
3) 1957 was the peak of the Baby Boom (1946 to 1964). Are you a Boomer, a Gen X-er, a Gen Y-er, or a Millennial?
A. I am at the end of the Boomers, but I have never thought I was a boomer. I've always considered those us born from about 1960 - 1968 to be a sort of lost generation. Marketers refer to us Generation Jones, which is not a moniker I care for. They consider that to be from 1954 to 1965.
4) In 1974, Diahann was named to the Best Coiffed Hall of Fame by the Guild of Professional Beauticians. How often do you change your look?
A. However often time makes more wrinkles and more gray hair. I personally never change a thing.
5) Ms. Carroll made history as Julia in the first network TV show to star a black woman. She played a nurse. Do you/have you ever worked in the healthcare profession?
A. No. I don't have the personality for it.
6) She also played glamorous, scheming Dominique Deveraux on the nighttime soap, Dynasty. Who is the most memorable female villain you've ever seen in a TV show or movie?
A. Cruella Deville in the cartoon version of Disney's 101 Dalmatians.
7) Ms. Carroll began her career as a model. Her height (nearly 6' tall) is an asset in that profession. Are you pleased with your height? Or do you wish you were taller, or shorter?
A. At 5' 2" and shrinking, I wouldn't mind just a little more height.
8) Now in her 80th year, she keeps on working. Recently she's appeared on TV in Grey's Anatomy and Blue Collar and on the big screen in Tyler Perry Presents Peeples. How do you feel about retirement? Is it something you enjoy or look forward to? Or would you prefer to continue working?
A. I would like to continue working though health issues have derailed all of my plans. I had started an effort to teach at the college level when I started my downward health spiral and ultimately had to give that up. I'm still doing freelance writing but nowhere near as much as I once did.
9) In her long movie career, Ms. Carroll has played love scenes with some very good looking men, including Sidney Poitier and Billy Dee Williams. If you could steal a kiss from any actor or actress, who would choose?
A. I wouldn't mind a kiss from Orlando Bloom, so long as he is dressed like Legolas from Lord of the Rings. And I would like to get a hug from Oprah.
Saturday, February 07, 2015
Friday, February 06, 2015
Book Review: Top Secret Twenty-One
Top Secret Twenty-One
By Janet Evanovich
Read by Lorelei King
Unabridged
Approximately 6 hours
My latest "read" of a Stephanie Plum novel did not disappoint, though this is the first time one of the books has made me gag, literally.
I like listening to these books because Lorelei King does such a good job with the voices, and the dialogue works when listening. Storytelling, after all, is our oldest form of "writing," so I do not have the aversion to audio that some have. I like being told a story, especially if the reader has a good narrative voice.
To be honest, I would not spend valuable time reading these books, so that is why I listen to them while driving. Multi-tasking, you know.
In this 21st Plum novel, Stephanie spends more time with Ranger. I think in the last book, she hung out more with Morelli, her other boyfriend. She's in love with both guys so maybe Evanovich's plan is to alternate storylines for a while as our heroine untangles her feelings.
Plum, a bounty hunter, is on the trail of Jimmy Poletti, a car dealership guy who was also trading in sex slaves and drugs. Since he skipped a court date, Stephanie has to hunt him down. Unfortunately, his path leads to a trail of dead bodies, and also brings to her Randy Briggs, a distasteful character from previous books.
She's also helping Ranger with some of his special work, and is distressed to learn someone is after her tall handsome ex-Black Ops fellow. The two plot lines are not intertwined, exactly, though I must say Stephanie would be a very poor bounty hunter indeed if Ranger's men didn't give her a hand frequently.
These books are quick listens and even though I enjoy them in the car, I must say the car bombings, the deaths, and the stress, none of which seem to phase Stephanie except for an occasional leaking of a tear, have grown a bit tiresome. I wouldn't want to live in her area of New Jersey, that's for sure.
By Janet Evanovich
Read by Lorelei King
Unabridged
Approximately 6 hours
My latest "read" of a Stephanie Plum novel did not disappoint, though this is the first time one of the books has made me gag, literally.
I like listening to these books because Lorelei King does such a good job with the voices, and the dialogue works when listening. Storytelling, after all, is our oldest form of "writing," so I do not have the aversion to audio that some have. I like being told a story, especially if the reader has a good narrative voice.
To be honest, I would not spend valuable time reading these books, so that is why I listen to them while driving. Multi-tasking, you know.
In this 21st Plum novel, Stephanie spends more time with Ranger. I think in the last book, she hung out more with Morelli, her other boyfriend. She's in love with both guys so maybe Evanovich's plan is to alternate storylines for a while as our heroine untangles her feelings.
Plum, a bounty hunter, is on the trail of Jimmy Poletti, a car dealership guy who was also trading in sex slaves and drugs. Since he skipped a court date, Stephanie has to hunt him down. Unfortunately, his path leads to a trail of dead bodies, and also brings to her Randy Briggs, a distasteful character from previous books.
She's also helping Ranger with some of his special work, and is distressed to learn someone is after her tall handsome ex-Black Ops fellow. The two plot lines are not intertwined, exactly, though I must say Stephanie would be a very poor bounty hunter indeed if Ranger's men didn't give her a hand frequently.
These books are quick listens and even though I enjoy them in the car, I must say the car bombings, the deaths, and the stress, none of which seem to phase Stephanie except for an occasional leaking of a tear, have grown a bit tiresome. I wouldn't want to live in her area of New Jersey, that's for sure.
Thursday, February 05, 2015
Thursday Thirteen
1. I woke this morning to an email from my health carrier stating that they'd been hacked. Since this was the second time in less than a month I'd received a notification from a company I do business with that my information had been compromised, I spent an early hour accessing my credit report and placing a fraud alert on my accounts. You can access your credit report for free at annualcreditreport.com, which is the only one authorized by the government. It can be a little confusing to get the thing but if you have never checked your credit report, I urge you to do so.
2. The first thing I remembered this morning, though, was that I had not updated the New Thursday Thirteen website but thankfully and gratefully found that my co-host, Colleen, had taken care of it. That's why there's two of us! Thank you, Colleen.
3. The stuff on my computer is so horrifying anymore that I am grateful all I have to do is look out the window to see a blissful pastoral scene.
4. Cows have a fairly easy life, though they have a lot of babies. And it can't be pleasant to have the children hauled off in a truck when we take the calves to market (though by then the babies are grown). Except for that, and occasionally being scared by a bear, though, they seem to have it pretty nice time.
5. Our blue spruce trees are suffering from a fungus. It developed last year and we sprayed for it. The recent winds have sent little blue spruce pieces all over the yard, though, and I really fear that we will not be able to save these trees.
6. I just ate a Skinny Cow truffle and wasn't all that impressed. I like the caramel filled ones better. Of course, one should not eat such things for breakfast but we do what we must.
7. Yesterday was a pleasant day, with warmer temperatures and little wind. Today the wind blows hard again. Of all the weather types, I dislike wind the most. I can take cold temps if the wind isn't blowing.
8. I am running out of things to say here and I'm only at number 8.
9. A quick glance around my office shows me this: a pile of magazines, a coffee cup that says "Roanoke" on it, an unused drawing pad, a Fincastle Herald newspaper with three of my articles in it, and some Bach Rescue Remedy.
10. The clouds are bouncing across the mountains like the plastic ball in a game of Jacks (or is it Jax?).
11. As metaphors go, that is probably not the best one I've ever come up with but it's early and I'm in a hurry.
12. If you live in the US, have you finished your taxes for 2014?
13. The magic number! What a mess my mind is in this morning.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 381th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
2. The first thing I remembered this morning, though, was that I had not updated the New Thursday Thirteen website but thankfully and gratefully found that my co-host, Colleen, had taken care of it. That's why there's two of us! Thank you, Colleen.
3. The stuff on my computer is so horrifying anymore that I am grateful all I have to do is look out the window to see a blissful pastoral scene.
4. Cows have a fairly easy life, though they have a lot of babies. And it can't be pleasant to have the children hauled off in a truck when we take the calves to market (though by then the babies are grown). Except for that, and occasionally being scared by a bear, though, they seem to have it pretty nice time.
5. Our blue spruce trees are suffering from a fungus. It developed last year and we sprayed for it. The recent winds have sent little blue spruce pieces all over the yard, though, and I really fear that we will not be able to save these trees.
6. I just ate a Skinny Cow truffle and wasn't all that impressed. I like the caramel filled ones better. Of course, one should not eat such things for breakfast but we do what we must.
7. Yesterday was a pleasant day, with warmer temperatures and little wind. Today the wind blows hard again. Of all the weather types, I dislike wind the most. I can take cold temps if the wind isn't blowing.
8. I am running out of things to say here and I'm only at number 8.
9. A quick glance around my office shows me this: a pile of magazines, a coffee cup that says "Roanoke" on it, an unused drawing pad, a Fincastle Herald newspaper with three of my articles in it, and some Bach Rescue Remedy.
10. The clouds are bouncing across the mountains like the plastic ball in a game of Jacks (or is it Jax?).
11. As metaphors go, that is probably not the best one I've ever come up with but it's early and I'm in a hurry.
12. If you live in the US, have you finished your taxes for 2014?
13. The magic number! What a mess my mind is in this morning.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 381th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Two Mornings
"I'm so glad my window looks east into the sunrising . . . It's so splendid to see the morning coming up over those long hills and glowing through those sharp fir tops. It's new every morning, and I feel as if I washed my very soul in that bath of earliest sunshine." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
Monday, February 02, 2015
An Ad for an Ad
I didn't watch the Super Bowl. I haven't for many years. There was a time, back when there were Budweiser frogs, that I did check in for the commercials, but with youtube previews and Internet recaps, I don't need to do that anymore.
So I saw the Budweiser puppy commercial before the Super Bowl and I wasted about 15 minutes of my morning reading a Slate article about other commercials.
When I went to watch the commercials - because of course I wanted to see the maudlin one about preventable accidents and the Nissan commercial that everyone was calling crass - I had to watch an ad to see the advertisements.
It was like an infinite loop of commercials. And then I started wondering, have we all turned into a commercial?
Of course we have. We wear branded outfits and baseball caps with logos on them. My sneakers sport a bit ol' "N" for New Balance on them. My watch says "Timex." My titanium-framed glasses on the inside of the frames say "Charmant," whatever that is (maybe that's a color).
My car says Toyota Camry on it, my cameras all say Nikon, my cell phone says . . . well, whatever it is, it's an old flip phone and I can't remember what it is but it says its name on there (and indicates that I am not yet into this decade). My husband's flip phone is a Motorola, I know that.
I have T-shirts that advertise insurance companies, Hanes on my underwear, and St. John's Bay on my sweater. ACE is tattooed on the elastic bandage on my ankle.
I don't consider myself a name-brand kind of girl, and yet there it is, proof that I'm a walking billboard.
Just like you.
I have ads on my blog just because - I don't make much money from them, but there they are anyway. One hopes, I suppose.
Looking around my office, I see a Samsung monitor, a Dell computer, a Sphere light, a bottle of Purell hand cleaner, a Panasonic cordless phone, a Casio calculator, and a box of Kleenex. And that's without hardly moving my head. A turn to the left and there's Energizer batteries, a Sterling & Noble clock, an RCA stereo, and a Staples bag with notebooks in it. Oh, and let's not forget the HP printers, Norcom column pad that I keep my freelance billing in, and the Quaker popped rice.
Good grief.
We really are trapped in an infinite loop of commercials.
Maybe I'll put a "For Sale" sign on my forehead. I wonder what someone might want to put there.
So I saw the Budweiser puppy commercial before the Super Bowl and I wasted about 15 minutes of my morning reading a Slate article about other commercials.
When I went to watch the commercials - because of course I wanted to see the maudlin one about preventable accidents and the Nissan commercial that everyone was calling crass - I had to watch an ad to see the advertisements.
It was like an infinite loop of commercials. And then I started wondering, have we all turned into a commercial?
Of course we have. We wear branded outfits and baseball caps with logos on them. My sneakers sport a bit ol' "N" for New Balance on them. My watch says "Timex." My titanium-framed glasses on the inside of the frames say "Charmant," whatever that is (maybe that's a color).
My car says Toyota Camry on it, my cameras all say Nikon, my cell phone says . . . well, whatever it is, it's an old flip phone and I can't remember what it is but it says its name on there (and indicates that I am not yet into this decade). My husband's flip phone is a Motorola, I know that.
I have T-shirts that advertise insurance companies, Hanes on my underwear, and St. John's Bay on my sweater. ACE is tattooed on the elastic bandage on my ankle.
I don't consider myself a name-brand kind of girl, and yet there it is, proof that I'm a walking billboard.
Just like you.
I have ads on my blog just because - I don't make much money from them, but there they are anyway. One hopes, I suppose.
Looking around my office, I see a Samsung monitor, a Dell computer, a Sphere light, a bottle of Purell hand cleaner, a Panasonic cordless phone, a Casio calculator, and a box of Kleenex. And that's without hardly moving my head. A turn to the left and there's Energizer batteries, a Sterling & Noble clock, an RCA stereo, and a Staples bag with notebooks in it. Oh, and let's not forget the HP printers, Norcom column pad that I keep my freelance billing in, and the Quaker popped rice.
Good grief.
We really are trapped in an infinite loop of commercials.
Maybe I'll put a "For Sale" sign on my forehead. I wonder what someone might want to put there.
Sunday, February 01, 2015
Sunday Stealing: Nosy
From Sunday Stealing
Nosy Meme
1. Average hours of sleep:
A. Six, on a good night. I wake up a lot to take medication.
2. Last thing I googled:
A. Anti-inflammatory diets. And then I ate chocolate, which isn't on an anti-inflammatory diet.
3. One place that makes me happy:
A. Sitting on the couch beside my husband.
4. How many blankets I sleep under:
A. A sheet, a blanket, a bedspread.
5. What are you wearing right now:
A. Jeans, T-shirt, sneakers.
6. Last book you read:
A. The last one I finished was The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm currently listening to a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum one, #21, I think.
7. Favorite fictional character:
A. Nancy Drew.
8. Last movie I watched in the cinema:
A. The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies
9. Dream vacation:
A. A year in a well-stocked $1 million RV (complete with satellite TV, Internet, lots of space, and a driver) in which I could tour the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, followed by another year of visiting Europe staying in 5-star hotels only, following by 6 months of visiting South America, 6 months in Africa, 6 months in Australia, and at least a month in New Zealand. All of my needs would be met by someone, including a personal coach who would travel with me, and a personal chef who would prepare good, healthy meals. And my husband would be there, too, of course, hating every minute away from the farm.
Well, it said *dream* vacation, right? A girl can dream.
10. Dream wedding:
A. I've been married for 31 years, I have no desire to do it again.
11. Dream pet:
A. I would like one of those little tea-cup poodles, if they made them totally hypo-allergenic.
12. Dream job:
A. I would like to be an already successful novelist with dependable royalty checks coming in. That is why it is called a dream job.
13. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
A. What an interesting question. I would be 35.
14. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
A. I live my life as if failing is the worst thing ever, but intellectually I think never trying is probably worse.
15. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
A. Because we are brought up in a society that demands we contribute to the economic and social benefit of others, and in the U.S. especially we are all quite ensnared by the Puritan Work Ethic. Said ethic emphasizes hard work and diligence and has been twisted into crapitalism so that we all want money to have those aforementioned dream vacations. We are not taught to accept and enjoy what we have but to always strive for "other" - and it's killing us, one by one. We live for the end of the journey, not the journey itself, and it is really the journey that is important.
Nosy Meme
1. Average hours of sleep:
A. Six, on a good night. I wake up a lot to take medication.
2. Last thing I googled:
A. Anti-inflammatory diets. And then I ate chocolate, which isn't on an anti-inflammatory diet.
3. One place that makes me happy:
A. Sitting on the couch beside my husband.
4. How many blankets I sleep under:
A. A sheet, a blanket, a bedspread.
5. What are you wearing right now:
A. Jeans, T-shirt, sneakers.
6. Last book you read:
A. The last one I finished was The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert. I'm currently listening to a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum one, #21, I think.
7. Favorite fictional character:
A. Nancy Drew.
8. Last movie I watched in the cinema:
A. The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies
9. Dream vacation:
A. A year in a well-stocked $1 million RV (complete with satellite TV, Internet, lots of space, and a driver) in which I could tour the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, followed by another year of visiting Europe staying in 5-star hotels only, following by 6 months of visiting South America, 6 months in Africa, 6 months in Australia, and at least a month in New Zealand. All of my needs would be met by someone, including a personal coach who would travel with me, and a personal chef who would prepare good, healthy meals. And my husband would be there, too, of course, hating every minute away from the farm.
Well, it said *dream* vacation, right? A girl can dream.
10. Dream wedding:
A. I've been married for 31 years, I have no desire to do it again.
11. Dream pet:
A. I would like one of those little tea-cup poodles, if they made them totally hypo-allergenic.
12. Dream job:
A. I would like to be an already successful novelist with dependable royalty checks coming in. That is why it is called a dream job.
13. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
A. What an interesting question. I would be 35.
14. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
A. I live my life as if failing is the worst thing ever, but intellectually I think never trying is probably worse.
15. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
A. Because we are brought up in a society that demands we contribute to the economic and social benefit of others, and in the U.S. especially we are all quite ensnared by the Puritan Work Ethic. Said ethic emphasizes hard work and diligence and has been twisted into crapitalism so that we all want money to have those aforementioned dream vacations. We are not taught to accept and enjoy what we have but to always strive for "other" - and it's killing us, one by one. We live for the end of the journey, not the journey itself, and it is really the journey that is important.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Saturday 9
Saturday 9: Papa Loved Mama (1992)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Then try this. It's not very good quality, and it may have been pulled by the time you get over to it, because Garth doesn't like YouTube videos. Sorry.
1) This song is about a trucking "accident" that was covered extensively in the local paper. What's the big news story in your neighborhood?
A. In my county, the Board of Supervisors heard lots of folks talk about the noise ordinance at Tuesday's meeting. Moving out a little in area, a 16-year-old girl ran off with some guy from Tennessee that she met online, and apparently they were both picked up in Arkansas.
2) The action centers around a motel. When is the last time you stayed in a hotel or motel?
A. Last August, when I went to the hospital at UNC to see a specialist.
3) In the song, Papa wants to surprise Mama with a bottle of wine. Do you prefer white or red?
A. I don't drink.
4) This week's featured artist, Garth Brooks, has said that the late Chris LeDoux -- singer, sculptor and rodeo champion -- is his hero. If you had to single out someone this morning as your hero, who would it be?
A. Myself. I have been through a lot of crap and I am still standing.
5) Before he was able to support himself as a singer, Brooks was a bouncer at a bar. Have you ever had an encounter with a bouncer (either that he threw you out or came to your aid)?
A. Can't say that I have.
6) According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), Garth surpassed The Beatles as the top selling artist of the last 25 years. Whose music do you listen to more -- Garth Brooks or the The Beatles?
A. If my only choice are those two, The Beatles. But I would rather listen to Adult Contemporary or 1970s and early 1980s music. You know, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, The Doobie Brothers, that sort of thing. I have never really been a big Beatles fan though I did like Paul McCartney and The Wings.
7) While 1992 was a banner year for Garth Brooks, it was a bad one for another country legend, Willie Nelson. Willie ended up paying the IRS more than $9,000,000. When you file your taxes, will you qualify for a refund? Or will you owe money?
A. Hopefully we will be about even.
8) When this song was popular in 1992, Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York, was in all the papers and magazines for her controversial conduct -- including being photographed sunbathing topless with a man not her husband. Today no one seems to care much about what Sarah Ferguson does. Can you think of someone else whose fame was fleeting?
A. Monica Lewinsky.
9) This is Super Bowl weekend. Where will you be watching The Big Game?
A. I doubt I will watch it.
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Then try this. It's not very good quality, and it may have been pulled by the time you get over to it, because Garth doesn't like YouTube videos. Sorry.
1) This song is about a trucking "accident" that was covered extensively in the local paper. What's the big news story in your neighborhood?
A. In my county, the Board of Supervisors heard lots of folks talk about the noise ordinance at Tuesday's meeting. Moving out a little in area, a 16-year-old girl ran off with some guy from Tennessee that she met online, and apparently they were both picked up in Arkansas.
2) The action centers around a motel. When is the last time you stayed in a hotel or motel?
A. Last August, when I went to the hospital at UNC to see a specialist.
3) In the song, Papa wants to surprise Mama with a bottle of wine. Do you prefer white or red?
A. I don't drink.
4) This week's featured artist, Garth Brooks, has said that the late Chris LeDoux -- singer, sculptor and rodeo champion -- is his hero. If you had to single out someone this morning as your hero, who would it be?
A. Myself. I have been through a lot of crap and I am still standing.
5) Before he was able to support himself as a singer, Brooks was a bouncer at a bar. Have you ever had an encounter with a bouncer (either that he threw you out or came to your aid)?
A. Can't say that I have.
6) According to the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), Garth surpassed The Beatles as the top selling artist of the last 25 years. Whose music do you listen to more -- Garth Brooks or the The Beatles?
A. If my only choice are those two, The Beatles. But I would rather listen to Adult Contemporary or 1970s and early 1980s music. You know, The Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, The Doobie Brothers, that sort of thing. I have never really been a big Beatles fan though I did like Paul McCartney and The Wings.
7) While 1992 was a banner year for Garth Brooks, it was a bad one for another country legend, Willie Nelson. Willie ended up paying the IRS more than $9,000,000. When you file your taxes, will you qualify for a refund? Or will you owe money?
A. Hopefully we will be about even.
8) When this song was popular in 1992, Sarah Ferguson, then the Duchess of York, was in all the papers and magazines for her controversial conduct -- including being photographed sunbathing topless with a man not her husband. Today no one seems to care much about what Sarah Ferguson does. Can you think of someone else whose fame was fleeting?
A. Monica Lewinsky.
9) This is Super Bowl weekend. Where will you be watching The Big Game?
A. I doubt I will watch it.
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Thursday Thirteen #380
Falls are the leading cause of injury among older folks, and can lead to disability and death. Fear of falling actually leads to more falls because people become too careful and stop doing things like working out, which leads to decline.
Here are 13 tips to help you out around your home so that falls are kept to a minimum:
1. Use motion-sensing nightlights in all areas of your house, including, bedroom, bathroom, and hallways.
2. Put handrails on at least one side of all stairways; handrails on both sides are preferable.
3. Place frequently used items within reach to eliminate the need to climb on a stepstool or ladder.
4. Immediately wipe up water or other wet areas so that the floor does not become slippery.
5. Place non-slip strips in the bathroom or shower.
6. Install handrails in the bathroom around the shower and toilet areas.
7. Be sure counters and tables are sturdy enough to support your weight if you lean on them.
8. Chairs with solid armrests are easier to get in and out of.
9. Keep walkways clear of electrical cords, fans, heaters, and other objects.
10. Place your eyeglasses within easy reach so you can get them when you get out of bed.
11. Get out of bed slowly. Sit before you stand. Fast movements can change rapid changes in blood pressure.
12. Do not wear socks only or loose fitting slippers. Shoes should have non-slip soles with patterned tread.
13. Keep exterior paths clear of water hoses, moss, debris, garden tools, or other items. Walk carefully when near pets and small animals.
Extra: Keep a cell phone or cordless phone with you at all times so you can call for help.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 380th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Here are 13 tips to help you out around your home so that falls are kept to a minimum:
1. Use motion-sensing nightlights in all areas of your house, including, bedroom, bathroom, and hallways.
2. Put handrails on at least one side of all stairways; handrails on both sides are preferable.
3. Place frequently used items within reach to eliminate the need to climb on a stepstool or ladder.
4. Immediately wipe up water or other wet areas so that the floor does not become slippery.
5. Place non-slip strips in the bathroom or shower.
6. Install handrails in the bathroom around the shower and toilet areas.
7. Be sure counters and tables are sturdy enough to support your weight if you lean on them.
8. Chairs with solid armrests are easier to get in and out of.
9. Keep walkways clear of electrical cords, fans, heaters, and other objects.
10. Place your eyeglasses within easy reach so you can get them when you get out of bed.
11. Get out of bed slowly. Sit before you stand. Fast movements can change rapid changes in blood pressure.
12. Do not wear socks only or loose fitting slippers. Shoes should have non-slip soles with patterned tread.
13. Keep exterior paths clear of water hoses, moss, debris, garden tools, or other items. Walk carefully when near pets and small animals.
Extra: Keep a cell phone or cordless phone with you at all times so you can call for help.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 380th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Be Right Back!
Took a slightly unscheduled break from blogging for a day - my brain wore out!
Returning tomorrow, though, because it's THURSDAY!
Monday, January 26, 2015
Roanoke Regional Writers Conference
This past weekend, I had the privilege of presenting a talk at the 8th annual Roanoke Regional Writers Conference. I spoke on keeping a writer's journal and gave a power point presentation.
Journaling has long been a part of my life and I think it is a basic tool that every writer should utilize. I had offered a few successful courses in journaling through Virginia Western prior to the surgery that has messed up my life.
Anyway, the event began on Friday night with a meet and greet and keynote speakers.
In spite of a forecast of freezing rain, the turnout was good.
The keynote address was in the Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center. I sat at the very back because I knew I was going to have slip out early. In this picture are keynote speakers Roland Lazenby and Keith Ferrell, organizer Dan Smith (third from left), and on the far right in blue is Hollins University President Nancy Gray.
The actual conference, with classes, was Saturday. The guy above, (note that real men wear pink shirts), was my chaperon and helper for the day. Thank you, dear husband.
I ended up with about 15 students in my class. I don't know if that was about average for the class sizes but I think it probably was.
I showed off my Hobbit journal, which was a present from my husband. Go Hobbits!
This cute little pendant, a quill and ink pot, was my reward for the work. I shall place it on a string and treasure it always.
The proceeds for this writer's conference go toward a scholarship for the Hollins Horizon program. That's their program for older women who are returning to school. It is the program from which I received my degree, so I was happy to support something that I strongly believe in. Lifelong learning is a wonderful thing.
This presentation was actually a big deal thing for me. At one point I had a secret dream of returning to Hollins to work, or else coming back to be the writer in residence because I was so wonderfully famous. I don't see either happening (I haven't a Ph.D. and one of those is required to teach there now, I think, and I am not (yet) a wonderfully famous writer), so this little presentation will represent a fulfillment of that secret desire.
I now have one item scratched off the ol' bucket list, you might say, even if this was not how I had envisioned my triumphant return.
You can read about and see photos from the conference at organizer Dan Smith's blog here.
Journaling has long been a part of my life and I think it is a basic tool that every writer should utilize. I had offered a few successful courses in journaling through Virginia Western prior to the surgery that has messed up my life.
Anyway, the event began on Friday night with a meet and greet and keynote speakers.
In spite of a forecast of freezing rain, the turnout was good.
My old Hollins pal, Bonnie Cranmer. She helps organize the event. I hadn't seen her in a long time.
They had food and drink available.
We had a troubadour at our writer's conference. Greg Trafidlo and a fellow musician sang a little ditty about writer's block.
The keynote address was in the Richard Wetherill Visual Arts Center. I sat at the very back because I knew I was going to have slip out early. In this picture are keynote speakers Roland Lazenby and Keith Ferrell, organizer Dan Smith (third from left), and on the far right in blue is Hollins University President Nancy Gray.
The actual conference, with classes, was Saturday. The guy above, (note that real men wear pink shirts), was my chaperon and helper for the day. Thank you, dear husband.
I ended up with about 15 students in my class. I don't know if that was about average for the class sizes but I think it probably was.
More of my class.
I showed off my Hobbit journal, which was a present from my husband. Go Hobbits!
The proceeds for this writer's conference go toward a scholarship for the Hollins Horizon program. That's their program for older women who are returning to school. It is the program from which I received my degree, so I was happy to support something that I strongly believe in. Lifelong learning is a wonderful thing.
This presentation was actually a big deal thing for me. At one point I had a secret dream of returning to Hollins to work, or else coming back to be the writer in residence because I was so wonderfully famous. I don't see either happening (I haven't a Ph.D. and one of those is required to teach there now, I think, and I am not (yet) a wonderfully famous writer), so this little presentation will represent a fulfillment of that secret desire.
I now have one item scratched off the ol' bucket list, you might say, even if this was not how I had envisioned my triumphant return.
You can read about and see photos from the conference at organizer Dan Smith's blog here.
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Sunday Stealing: AtoZ
From Sunday Stealing
Easy A-Z Meme
A. What are your favorite smells?
Apple pie.
B. Can you go a whole day without caffeine?
By the gods, I can and do!
C. Who knows more about you than anyone else?
Could that be the man I have been married to for 31 years?
D. What song did you last listen to?
Daydream Believer.
E. Do you wear socks to bed?
Every night my twinkle toes sleep sans socks, unless I have a terrible cough and have covered my feet with Vicks.
F. Can you change a car tire?
For what it's worth, I can change a car tire if I must.
G. If you could choose one color to wear for a whole year, what color would you choose?
Green.
H. Do you cook often?
How often do I eat? I cook at least one meal a day when my husband is home.
I. What’s your least favorite season?
In the dead of winter, I must admit that this bleakest of times is the season I dread most.
J. Can you sew?
Just a little.
K. What is your favorite fruit?
Kiwi.
L. Are you health conscious?
Learning about healthy eating and exercising is one of my past times. Now if I could only learn how to put said knowledge into action, I might actually have something.
M. Do you think you’re very conscious of the feelings of others or more self oriented?
Mostly I have great empathy for my fellow human beings.
N. Do you curse a lot?
Now why the f*ck would you ask me that question?
O. Do you remember lyrics easily?
Only when I really like the song. Being a musician of sorts, though, I have quite a repository of songs in my head.
P. Can you roll your tongue?
Please. Of course I can.
Q. Is there a certain food you often crave for no reason?
Queerly enough, I frequently want chocolate.
R. What was the last book you purchased?
Reading nonfiction is my new thing, and I'm currently waiting on Jane Bryant Quinn's book about how to remake your life after 50 or something like that to find its way into my mailbox.
S. Where was your last vacation?
Somewhere on the east coast . . . oh yes, Myrtle Beach, almost three years ago now.
T. Last movie you watched? Did you enjoy it?
The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. Thankfully, I enjoyed it though I did think it was a little short on character development.
U. Think of your oldest friend. If you met them now do you think you would still become friends?
Unfortunately, probably not. In the first place, I don't know how I would meet them now as we do not move in the same circles. We get together by design and force the issue.
V. Paris, London and New York… which one would you live in, which would you visit for a day, which would you visit for a fortnight?
Visiting London would make me happy, as I could meet up with my e-mail pal of over 10 years. It would be nice to meet her in person.
W. Do you usually sleep with your closet door open or closed?
Whatever does that have to do with anything? Why of course it is open, as we have a walk-in closet and it has a heating vent in it.
X. Have you ever broken a bone? If so, how did it happen?
X-rays and I are well-acquainted. I broke my first bone when I was 11, playing in my sock feet in my grandmother's basement. I slipped and fell and broke my wrist.
Y. How do you like your eggs?
Yellow on the inside, white on the outside. Hard boiled or scrambled.
Z. What was your last argument about and who with?
Zounds, but I can't really recall. I imagine it was with my husband, as he's the one I live with. But my brain zig-zags around what the argument may have been about.
If you're interested in Thursday Thirteen, I'm a co-hostess for the "New Thursday Thirteen." We write 13 things, no set topic, just 13 of anything. The link up is at the New Thursday Thirteen site. Please join us if you need something to do on Thursdays!
CountryDew
Easy A-Z Meme
A. What are your favorite smells?
Apple pie.
B. Can you go a whole day without caffeine?
By the gods, I can and do!
C. Who knows more about you than anyone else?
Could that be the man I have been married to for 31 years?
D. What song did you last listen to?
Daydream Believer.
E. Do you wear socks to bed?
Every night my twinkle toes sleep sans socks, unless I have a terrible cough and have covered my feet with Vicks.
F. Can you change a car tire?
For what it's worth, I can change a car tire if I must.
G. If you could choose one color to wear for a whole year, what color would you choose?
Green.
H. Do you cook often?
How often do I eat? I cook at least one meal a day when my husband is home.
I. What’s your least favorite season?
In the dead of winter, I must admit that this bleakest of times is the season I dread most.
J. Can you sew?
Just a little.
K. What is your favorite fruit?
Kiwi.
L. Are you health conscious?
Learning about healthy eating and exercising is one of my past times. Now if I could only learn how to put said knowledge into action, I might actually have something.
M. Do you think you’re very conscious of the feelings of others or more self oriented?
Mostly I have great empathy for my fellow human beings.
N. Do you curse a lot?
Now why the f*ck would you ask me that question?
O. Do you remember lyrics easily?
Only when I really like the song. Being a musician of sorts, though, I have quite a repository of songs in my head.
P. Can you roll your tongue?
Please. Of course I can.
Q. Is there a certain food you often crave for no reason?
Queerly enough, I frequently want chocolate.
R. What was the last book you purchased?
Reading nonfiction is my new thing, and I'm currently waiting on Jane Bryant Quinn's book about how to remake your life after 50 or something like that to find its way into my mailbox.
S. Where was your last vacation?
Somewhere on the east coast . . . oh yes, Myrtle Beach, almost three years ago now.
T. Last movie you watched? Did you enjoy it?
The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies. Thankfully, I enjoyed it though I did think it was a little short on character development.
U. Think of your oldest friend. If you met them now do you think you would still become friends?
Unfortunately, probably not. In the first place, I don't know how I would meet them now as we do not move in the same circles. We get together by design and force the issue.
V. Paris, London and New York… which one would you live in, which would you visit for a day, which would you visit for a fortnight?
Visiting London would make me happy, as I could meet up with my e-mail pal of over 10 years. It would be nice to meet her in person.
W. Do you usually sleep with your closet door open or closed?
Whatever does that have to do with anything? Why of course it is open, as we have a walk-in closet and it has a heating vent in it.
X. Have you ever broken a bone? If so, how did it happen?
X-rays and I are well-acquainted. I broke my first bone when I was 11, playing in my sock feet in my grandmother's basement. I slipped and fell and broke my wrist.
Y. How do you like your eggs?
Yellow on the inside, white on the outside. Hard boiled or scrambled.
Z. What was your last argument about and who with?
Zounds, but I can't really recall. I imagine it was with my husband, as he's the one I live with. But my brain zig-zags around what the argument may have been about.
****
Dear Sunday Stealers:If you're interested in Thursday Thirteen, I'm a co-hostess for the "New Thursday Thirteen." We write 13 things, no set topic, just 13 of anything. The link up is at the New Thursday Thirteen site. Please join us if you need something to do on Thursdays!
CountryDew
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Saturday 9: The Best Thing
Saturday 9: The Best Thing About Me Is You (2010)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) What would you say is your best quality?
A. I'm an intelligent, empathetic creative writer.
2) In this song, Ricky sings that he's "allergic to tragedy." Do you suffer from any allergies?
A. It's an endless list. Most environmental things, from grasses to pollen to animal dander of all kind; fish, black pepper, and few other foods. I take a Claritin every day and have for years. It's probably altered my DNA by now.
3) Benadryl, the popular allergy medication, is sometimes used to treat insomnia. What do you do when you can't sleep?
A. I practice Tai Chi in my head. Sometimes I meditate by counting breaths. Or I try to focus solely on the feel of the air going up my nostrils and around into my lungs.
4) The lyrics to this week's song encourage us, "Don't wait until mañana." Are you a procrastinator?
A. I will answer this question tomorrow.
5) Ricky Martin is a judge on The Voice ... Mexico, aired on Mexican television. When you watch competition shows like The Voice, Dancing with the Stars or American Idol, do you usually agree with the judges? Or do you think you could do a better job?
A. I don't watch those shows.
6) Ricky tells interviewers that when he was very young, he'd sing in the family kitchen, pretending a wooden spoon was his microphone. Crazy Sam admits to lip synching into a black Magic Marker. When you gave imaginary concerts, what did you use as a microphone?
A. I gave real concerts and played in a real band and used a real live microphone, long ago. When I was very young, I am sure I used a spoon or something similar.
7) Ricky began working at the tender age of 9, performing in commercials. How old were you when you received your first paycheck?
A. If you count babysitting, I was 13. If you mean a real payroll check, I was 15.
8) Ricky does yoga to stay in shape. Have you ever tried yoga?
A. I've tried Wii Fit Yoga. Does that count? I do Tai Chi with a video, or did, when I felt better.
9) Ricky is of primarily Spanish descent, with a little French mixed in. When you think of French cuisine, what comes to mind?
A. Escargo.
Dear Saturday 9 players:
If you're interested in Thursday Thirteen, I'm a co-hostess for the "New Thursday Thirteen." We write 13 things, no set topic, just 13 of anything. The link up is at the New Thursday Thirteen site. Please join us if you need something to do on Thursdays!
CountryDew
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) What would you say is your best quality?
A. I'm an intelligent, empathetic creative writer.
2) In this song, Ricky sings that he's "allergic to tragedy." Do you suffer from any allergies?
A. It's an endless list. Most environmental things, from grasses to pollen to animal dander of all kind; fish, black pepper, and few other foods. I take a Claritin every day and have for years. It's probably altered my DNA by now.
3) Benadryl, the popular allergy medication, is sometimes used to treat insomnia. What do you do when you can't sleep?
A. I practice Tai Chi in my head. Sometimes I meditate by counting breaths. Or I try to focus solely on the feel of the air going up my nostrils and around into my lungs.
4) The lyrics to this week's song encourage us, "Don't wait until mañana." Are you a procrastinator?
A. I will answer this question tomorrow.
5) Ricky Martin is a judge on The Voice ... Mexico, aired on Mexican television. When you watch competition shows like The Voice, Dancing with the Stars or American Idol, do you usually agree with the judges? Or do you think you could do a better job?
A. I don't watch those shows.
6) Ricky tells interviewers that when he was very young, he'd sing in the family kitchen, pretending a wooden spoon was his microphone. Crazy Sam admits to lip synching into a black Magic Marker. When you gave imaginary concerts, what did you use as a microphone?
A. I gave real concerts and played in a real band and used a real live microphone, long ago. When I was very young, I am sure I used a spoon or something similar.
7) Ricky began working at the tender age of 9, performing in commercials. How old were you when you received your first paycheck?
A. If you count babysitting, I was 13. If you mean a real payroll check, I was 15.
8) Ricky does yoga to stay in shape. Have you ever tried yoga?
A. I've tried Wii Fit Yoga. Does that count? I do Tai Chi with a video, or did, when I felt better.
9) Ricky is of primarily Spanish descent, with a little French mixed in. When you think of French cuisine, what comes to mind?
A. Escargo.
*****
Dear Saturday 9 players:
If you're interested in Thursday Thirteen, I'm a co-hostess for the "New Thursday Thirteen." We write 13 things, no set topic, just 13 of anything. The link up is at the New Thursday Thirteen site. Please join us if you need something to do on Thursdays!
CountryDew
Friday, January 23, 2015
Many Places I Have Been
In some circles, I am well-traveled. I've been to Europe, after all. Since statistically only 30 percent of Americans have passports, and I suspect most of those are to go to Bermuda on cruises, I'm in a minority.
Compare that to the number of passports in the UK - 75 percent. Those folks get around. Americans are content to stay at home, but we suffer for it - our ignorance shows.
In other circles, I am not so well-traveled. I know folks who have been many places that I only dream about. They are always more worldly, more knowledgeable, and more patient than folks who have never been further than 50 miles from home.
When you travel, even if it's only in your own neighborhood, you learn a lot.
When I was writing regularly for newspapers and other local publications, I saw neighborhoods in my own community that I did not know existed. I saw poverty that should not be allowed in this or any other country. I saw decay, neglect, and destruction. I met many downtrodden and extremely frightened people.
I also interviewed well-heeled and very scary people. I met folks with whom I would not want to spend more than a minute even if they were bedecked in jewels and lived in 5,000 square-feet McMansions. Those folks almost always scared me more than the fellow who lived in the beat-up ol' trailer (though he could be a mite scary, too).
It takes all kinds to make a world, but it is my profound belief that people should strive for more meeting in the middle and less separatism and partisanship. That applies to living conditions, salaries, health care, and opportunity. Because in spite of what the slogans and jingles say, this land of opportunity does not provide equal opportunity for all. Sometimes it provides no opportunity and folks are lucky to eat crumbs. It matters here if you're male and white. Those folks have opportunity. The rest - not as much.
Journalism can be equal-opportunity in that it allows one access into all kinds of worlds, if one desires to look around. True story: one minute I was shaking hands with slime like disgraced former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (he was running for Attorney General at the time) and within the next hour I was interviewing an intelligent 69-year-old woman who played guitar, yodeled, and never left her house because of a disability. He was well-groomed and wearing an expensive suit and she hadn't had her yard mowed in 10 years because she couldn't run the mower nor afford to pay someone to mow it for her.
McDonnell is going to jail, and good riddance to him, but the man had charisma. I was not surprised he became governor. However, nothing made him any better than the poor woman on Social Security who was eeking out the rest of her life as best she could. I mean, absolutely stinking nothing. That single day has stood out in my mind for 10 years, and probably always will. There stood McDonnell flashing that boyish grin, his handlers huddling close by, and then I met that that old woman, all alone. She sang a song to me on a guitar that desperately needed new strings.
Talk about a variety of places. And you know how many miles I had to travel to see these disparities? One. These two events took place within a solitary mile of one another. I met McDonnell on the county courthouse steps and then drove a mile to the woman's home.
There is something wrong when you go from First World to Third World in a little under a mile in your own hometown.
I have thought about this a long time. There are people who would say that the old woman was living in a broken down house by choice, that she'd made poor choices along the way, or she'd misspent her money. She limped around and used a cane because her foot was misshapen, the result of a birth defect. She overcame it as best she could. I wonder if McDonnell, born in the same circumstances, would have done any better.
In the many places I have been, I have always had great compassion for the circumstances in which I have found myself. Even the well-heeled have troubles, and I have written about those with grace and empathy. I fear see their stories are seen in the media more than those of the poor, though. Missing white girl stories are a big hit, for example, but people go missing every day. We just don't hear every story.
I find compassion and empathy to be two components that are missing from today's rhetoric. No one has compassion for the elderly, the poor, the hard-working firefighter who's just doing his job, barely getting by on a public servants salary. Teachers are evil sycophants who get the summers off! Police are evil jack boots who want to control the world. Why should we pay garbage workers and why should we pay our taxes so that everyone can drive on the highways?
Poppycock and phooey to all of that kind of talk. I have never heard such crap in all my life as I see on the Internet and hear on talk radio these days.
People need to get out of their comfort zones and discover the many places that exist around them. They need to walk a mile or two down the street, and see what is there.
I strongly suspect that what they discover might open their eyes, if not their hearts and wallets.
(And yes, I left $20 with the old woman on my way out that day. I picked up her Bible and looked at it, and slid the money into the most worn place, which I recall was in Psalms.)
Compare that to the number of passports in the UK - 75 percent. Those folks get around. Americans are content to stay at home, but we suffer for it - our ignorance shows.
In other circles, I am not so well-traveled. I know folks who have been many places that I only dream about. They are always more worldly, more knowledgeable, and more patient than folks who have never been further than 50 miles from home.
When you travel, even if it's only in your own neighborhood, you learn a lot.
When I was writing regularly for newspapers and other local publications, I saw neighborhoods in my own community that I did not know existed. I saw poverty that should not be allowed in this or any other country. I saw decay, neglect, and destruction. I met many downtrodden and extremely frightened people.
I also interviewed well-heeled and very scary people. I met folks with whom I would not want to spend more than a minute even if they were bedecked in jewels and lived in 5,000 square-feet McMansions. Those folks almost always scared me more than the fellow who lived in the beat-up ol' trailer (though he could be a mite scary, too).
It takes all kinds to make a world, but it is my profound belief that people should strive for more meeting in the middle and less separatism and partisanship. That applies to living conditions, salaries, health care, and opportunity. Because in spite of what the slogans and jingles say, this land of opportunity does not provide equal opportunity for all. Sometimes it provides no opportunity and folks are lucky to eat crumbs. It matters here if you're male and white. Those folks have opportunity. The rest - not as much.
Journalism can be equal-opportunity in that it allows one access into all kinds of worlds, if one desires to look around. True story: one minute I was shaking hands with slime like disgraced former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (he was running for Attorney General at the time) and within the next hour I was interviewing an intelligent 69-year-old woman who played guitar, yodeled, and never left her house because of a disability. He was well-groomed and wearing an expensive suit and she hadn't had her yard mowed in 10 years because she couldn't run the mower nor afford to pay someone to mow it for her.
McDonnell is going to jail, and good riddance to him, but the man had charisma. I was not surprised he became governor. However, nothing made him any better than the poor woman on Social Security who was eeking out the rest of her life as best she could. I mean, absolutely stinking nothing. That single day has stood out in my mind for 10 years, and probably always will. There stood McDonnell flashing that boyish grin, his handlers huddling close by, and then I met that that old woman, all alone. She sang a song to me on a guitar that desperately needed new strings.
Talk about a variety of places. And you know how many miles I had to travel to see these disparities? One. These two events took place within a solitary mile of one another. I met McDonnell on the county courthouse steps and then drove a mile to the woman's home.
There is something wrong when you go from First World to Third World in a little under a mile in your own hometown.
I have thought about this a long time. There are people who would say that the old woman was living in a broken down house by choice, that she'd made poor choices along the way, or she'd misspent her money. She limped around and used a cane because her foot was misshapen, the result of a birth defect. She overcame it as best she could. I wonder if McDonnell, born in the same circumstances, would have done any better.
In the many places I have been, I have always had great compassion for the circumstances in which I have found myself. Even the well-heeled have troubles, and I have written about those with grace and empathy. I fear see their stories are seen in the media more than those of the poor, though. Missing white girl stories are a big hit, for example, but people go missing every day. We just don't hear every story.
I find compassion and empathy to be two components that are missing from today's rhetoric. No one has compassion for the elderly, the poor, the hard-working firefighter who's just doing his job, barely getting by on a public servants salary. Teachers are evil sycophants who get the summers off! Police are evil jack boots who want to control the world. Why should we pay garbage workers and why should we pay our taxes so that everyone can drive on the highways?
Poppycock and phooey to all of that kind of talk. I have never heard such crap in all my life as I see on the Internet and hear on talk radio these days.
People need to get out of their comfort zones and discover the many places that exist around them. They need to walk a mile or two down the street, and see what is there.
I strongly suspect that what they discover might open their eyes, if not their hearts and wallets.
(And yes, I left $20 with the old woman on my way out that day. I picked up her Bible and looked at it, and slid the money into the most worn place, which I recall was in Psalms.)
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Thursday Thirteen: The Year of Soil
Did you know that 2015 is the International Year of Soil? Dirt is kind of important but it's probably not something most people think about (except to vacuum it up or sweep it out).
Here is the dirt on dirt:
1. There are three types of soil: clay, silt and sand. Most soils are a blend of all three types.
2. Soil holds 0.01% of the Earth's water. Soil is composed of 49% Oxygen, 33% Silicone, 7% Aluminum, 4% Iron, and 2% Carbon; half of soil (50%) is air and water. The remainder is minerals and organic matter.
3. Soil is created by the breaking down of rocks, usually by weather. After the rocks crumble, soil is created by the addition of organic materials from decaying plants and animals.
4. Soil needs microorganisms to break down the organic matter.
5. Topsoil, the uppermost layer of soil, has the highest amount of humus and microorganisms. Most plants get their food from this layer of soil.
6. It takes more than 500 years to form 2 centimeters of topsoil. Ten tons of topsoil spread evenly over one hectare (about 2.5 acres) of land comes out to be as thick as one Euro coin.
7. Good, functional soil holds 3750 tons of water per hectare, which reduces the risk of flooding.
8. A single one gram of soil contains 5000 to 7000 different species of bacteria.
9. Scientists have found 10,000 types of soil in Europe and about 70,000 types of soil in the United States.
10. Nearly 75% of the earth's crust is composed of silica and oxygen.
11. Compost is soil created from things we use daily. This is good soil that can be used in gardens.
12. Things to leave out of compost piles include tea and coffee bags (the grounds are okay, just not the bags), citrus peel, onions, dog and cat droppings, fish, meats, glossy or foil papers, plastics, metals, ash, treated wood or sawdust, artificial fertilizer, and big branches.
13. Things to put into your compost pile include grass clippings, newspaper, certain fruits and vegetable leavings, and certain types of manure, such as horse, cow, and chicken droppings.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 379th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
Here is the dirt on dirt:
1. There are three types of soil: clay, silt and sand. Most soils are a blend of all three types.
2. Soil holds 0.01% of the Earth's water. Soil is composed of 49% Oxygen, 33% Silicone, 7% Aluminum, 4% Iron, and 2% Carbon; half of soil (50%) is air and water. The remainder is minerals and organic matter.
3. Soil is created by the breaking down of rocks, usually by weather. After the rocks crumble, soil is created by the addition of organic materials from decaying plants and animals.
4. Soil needs microorganisms to break down the organic matter.
5. Topsoil, the uppermost layer of soil, has the highest amount of humus and microorganisms. Most plants get their food from this layer of soil.
6. It takes more than 500 years to form 2 centimeters of topsoil. Ten tons of topsoil spread evenly over one hectare (about 2.5 acres) of land comes out to be as thick as one Euro coin.
7. Good, functional soil holds 3750 tons of water per hectare, which reduces the risk of flooding.
8. A single one gram of soil contains 5000 to 7000 different species of bacteria.
9. Scientists have found 10,000 types of soil in Europe and about 70,000 types of soil in the United States.
10. Nearly 75% of the earth's crust is composed of silica and oxygen.
11. Compost is soil created from things we use daily. This is good soil that can be used in gardens.
12. Things to leave out of compost piles include tea and coffee bags (the grounds are okay, just not the bags), citrus peel, onions, dog and cat droppings, fish, meats, glossy or foil papers, plastics, metals, ash, treated wood or sawdust, artificial fertilizer, and big branches.
13. Things to put into your compost pile include grass clippings, newspaper, certain fruits and vegetable leavings, and certain types of manure, such as horse, cow, and chicken droppings.
Thursday Thirteen is played by lots of people; there is a list here. I've been playing for a while and this is my 379th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday.
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