Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen silly little things.

1. My first job was a babysitter, but I lived on a farm so I also collected chicken eggs, helped my father with the haying, and had many other chores. I worked as a secretary/file clerk for my father's office in the summer. My first "real job" was at a machine shop, where I sold parts for things like Coates tire changers.

2. My dream job was to be a writer, though. I had always wanted to write, but my mother and father were not supportive of the idea. My mother was constantly saying, "That's fine, but you better take secretarial courses so you can support yourself." Fortunately I was able to write for the local newspaper for 30 years. It wasn't the best-paying work, but I loved it.

3. I like to wear sneakers. I dislike sandals of any kind and do not like going barefoot. I also like mocassins if they are soft-soled (as in, no sole and leather on the bottom).

4. My favorite food is not a food. I'm a chocoholic. I confess. I would eat chocolate every day if I could get away with it. From the looks of me you'd think I do that anyway, but I don't.

5. When I was about 12 years old, I stopped eating ice cream because I realized it made me wheeze. My favorite ice cream dish was a hot fudge sundae from High's Ice Cream. That was the local ice cream chain when I was growing up and it was magical to go in there and order up a sundae. Eating a hot fudge sundae is actually an item on my bucket list.

6. My house is silent but not really. We run two air purifiers constantly to clean the air, so there is always a whir. Why do we do this? Because we live a few miles as the crow flies from the cement plant, which is one of the worst polluters in the county. They have cleaned up their waste in the last 15 years and it's not as bad as it used to be, but their smoke stacks still belch out black stuff every now and then.

7. My favorite movie, to no one's surprise, is the Lord of the Rings trilogy. But I also like these movies: Dirty Dancing, Under the Tuscan Sun, Star Wars, ET, Mamma Mia!, Secretariat, The Blind Side, and many others.

8. My current favorite TV show is Supergirl, which comes on the CW. It is flawed but I favor strong heroines in my shows. It is also packed with commercials. If it didn't have so many commercials it would probably run about 35 minutes. But Supergirl is a lovely moral character who believes in the goodness of people, even if she does have to kick butt sometimes.

9. My favorite flower is a purple iris.

10. I am not much on cooking. My brother loves to cook and finds it theraputic but I am not a fan. I like to bake okay, and I also enjoy making fudge or candies during this time of the year (there is a pile of fudge-making items on the kitchen counter right now), but putting together a meal is not my favorite activity.

11. My favorite color is blue, and it always has been, as far as I know. I do like purple, though. Sometimes.

12. I like to eat vegetables but not all vegetables. Brussel sprouts are okay but not my choice. I like peas and green beans the best, though I need to eat more spinich so I can be strong like Popeye. (How many people remember Popeye?)

13. I wear glasses, and can't see much without them. Over the past year, my eyesight has worsened. I can tell because I cannot read the dial on the clock in the bedroom anymore without my specs. Fortunately, now I can simply ask Alexa what time it is and decide if I want to go back to sleep or not.

----------------------------
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 582nd time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Fincastle Marketplace

For the last decade or so, Historic Fincastle, Inc., has put on a home tour and a Fincastle Marketplace (craft show) in early December. This year it was Saturday, before the snow.

Here are pictures of the craft show and some of the crafters who offered up quite a variety of goods for folks to purchase.

Donna Henderson (left) with her baked goods, cookbooks, and other items.

 

Dorothy Etzler Barnett with her wood-burned ornaments. (She's my cousin.)

Teresa Reed, hiding behind a tree. (She's my friend.)

Some of Teresa's work. Santas painted on pelt boards.

Teresa's big Santa.

Some items for sale.

More cool stuff for sale.

Pottery by Karen Wright, my friend!

Work by Allie Hogan, The Rustic Wagon. Very pretty decorations.

Karen Wright with some of her pottery. I purchased a butter dish.

The amount of talent out there is amazing. When I go to these shows I am always thrilled at the creativity of people around me. So cool.

It Snowed

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Favorite novel and author?

A. I don't really have a favorite. I read a great deal and looking at my reading list, I don't often stick with one author. That said, mystery series authors like Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich are frequent reads.

2. Favorite perfume/scent?

A. I prefer unscented everything as far as perfume goes. I love the smell of chocolate chip cookies baking.

3. Coffee or tea?

A. Tea

3. Are you a cat or dog person?

A. I've always had dogs when I had a pet. But I do not have a pet anymore.

4. Which mythical creature would you transform into if you could?

A. A Valkyrie.

5. Favorite time period?

A. This one.

6. Name 3 films that have changed your life and have shaped you into the person you are today.

A. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Also all eight Harry Potter movies, Star Wars (the first three originals), Dirty Dancing, Under the Tuscan Sun, and The Rose.

7. Diamonds or pearls?

A. Pearls.

8. What’s your biggest dream?

A. I don't have one.

9. Dream destination?

A. I wouldn't mind going to New Zealand. Or Ireland. Or Scotland.

10. Favorite fictional character?

A. Eowyn from Lord of the Rings.

11. share a quote or passage that means something to you.

A. Not all those who wander are lost. - J. R. R. Tolkien

12. What’s your favorite plant/flower?

A. Iris.

13. Do you prefer the forest or the ocean? Why?

A. I prefer the forest. It gives life. The ocean takes life and you can't even drink the water.

14. What do you value most in people?

A. Kindness.
__________

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: Glue 'Round the Christmas Tree

Saturday 9: I'm Gonna Put Some Glue 'Round the Christmas Tree (So Santa Will Stick Around All Year) (1954)

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

1) This week's featured songstress, Peggy King, sings that she'd like to extend the Christmas season all year. How about you? Do you wish the season was longer? Shorter? Or do you think things are fine as they are?

A. I'm ready to be rid of it entirely.

2) She specifically mentions toys. Have you purchased/will you purchase any toys as holiday gifts this year?

A. No, unless you count the items I gave at an angel tree. No young ones in my life anymore; they're all grown.

3) Search for "glue" on The Home Depot's website and you'll get more than 3,000 results. There's heavy-duty adhesives, all-purpose glue, clear epoxy, wood glue, and more. Do you currently have glue in your home? If yes, how many kinds?

A. I have Elmer's glue and Krazy glue in the house. My husband may have other kinds on the garage.

4) What's the last thing you used glue for?

A. I glued the sole of my sneaker back together.

5) This week's featured artist, Peggy King, was a TV staple in the 1950s. With her perpetually upbeat persona, she was known as "Pretty, Perky Peggy King." Do you consider yourself upbeat, aka "perky?"

A. Nope. Debbie Downer here.

6) Ms. King got her start singing radio jingles for Hunt's tomato sauce. Prepared tomato sauce, properly stored, can safely be kept in the refrigerator for days. Do you have any leftovers in your refrigerator right now?

A. There's a bit of chicken left from earlier in the week.

7) Her biggest movie role was in Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy (1955). Do you watch scary movies and shows all year around? Only at Halloween? Or not at all?

A. I don't watch them at all any more. I did when I was younger but I think The Shining was the last scary movie I saw.

8) In 1954, the year this record was released, President Eisenhower dedicated the Marine Corps. Iwo Jima Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, just outside of Washington DC. If you were to play tourist in our nation's capital, what site would you be certain to visit?

A. The Library of Congress.

9) Random question: Which of these common household items would you miss most if it suddenly went on the fritz -- your bedside lamp or your hair dryer?

A. The hair dryer. The bedside lamp goes out all the time anyway. It's one of those "touch on - touch off" lamps, which are very handy next to the bed, but static electricity will make them blow easily. We have one on each side of the bed and I think we have to replace them about every two years or so. My hair looks bad if it isn't blown dry. When it dries naturally it frizzes and curls.
___________

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

Thursday 13

1. I have been having a discussion with a friend about dogs. I grew up with dogs and had a dog for 17 years, but I don't think dogs that aren't trained service dogs should be in Lowes or in the grocery store. I've seen them in both places. Dogs have become the new cigarette for people. I know people who will jump all over me for saying this because they think their dog should go everywhere with them, but (a) most dogs aren't trained to be around strangers and (b) like I said and will repeat, I don't have a problem with service dogs.

2.  I spent my life avoiding most places because I'm allergic to cigarettes and now that people don't smoke as much I have to avoid places because I'm allergic to dogs. When do I get my chance to simply go out to the store and be able to breathe?

3. Cat people at least do keep their cats home, or in the car, I guess. I've yet to see a cat on a leash wandering around Home Depot. Now that I've written that, I will probably see one in Walmart soon.

4. Speaking of Walmart, what is with all of the cameras in the personal products section? The cameras at my local Walmart make a noise every time you walk close to them as it takes your picture. "Wah doop," it says. I stand there and wave at my reflection sometimes. Maybe I should make funny faces.

5. Sometimes you make a decision too late and then you wonder why you waited. Waiting was a decision, too. Always remember you have made a decision even if you think you haven't. The act of not deciding is a decision. We always have choices even if we don't think we do.

6. Once when I was in the E.R. being checked for heart stuff because I was having chest pain (this was before they diagnosed my asthma, finally), I practiced making the heart monitor change by holding my breath as long as I could, or by breathing in and out as slowly as I possibly could. I could see the changes on the monitor.

7. Doing breathing exercises and something like Tai Chi can bring my blood pressure down by 10 points. I try to remember to control my breathing when I am on the way to the doctor.

8. My blog post on Monday did not go over well. I wrote about the difference between literal and figurative. I thought it was a good post myself. It was about writing, sort of, and I've sometimes written about writing in this blog. I am a writer, so of course I write about writing.

9. I need boxes. Right now I need them for Christmas, but I think a box is something one always should have. Because sometimes things simply need to go somewhere, and a box is as good a place as any.

10. A worry box would serve me well, probably. I'm one of those people who worry about everything and everyone. Some of the stuff that flies through my head would make for good science fiction. Or maybe it's fantasy.

11. My Christmas music books have been misplaced and I cannot find them. I thought I knew where they were, but they aren't there. Of course, the house has been in disarray since August, when the dishwasher went kaput and the hardwood flooring was destroyed and then the worst tile work in the history of tile work went down on my kitchen floor. I still haven't put things back in my curio cabinets in the kitchen because we have yet to put the quarter round back along the baseboards.

12. My hairdresser of 30 years retired. She is a little younger than I am. Now I have to find a new hair dresser. In the meantime, I guess I shall have longer, shaggier hair.

13. I do not have any resolutions yet for the new year. I didn't make any last year. Did you? Did you keep them if you did? What if instead of resolutions you made a life statement about what your life's purpose is. Do you know your purpose in life?


----------------------------
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 581st time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

A Rafter of Turkeys

A flock of turkeys is also called a rafter in some places. Don't ask me why. Maybe because turkeys sit up high in trees to roost.

Anyway, we had a whole gang of turkeys (they're also called gangs) in the backyard on Sunday. I counted 40 turkeys at one time, the largest flock (or rafter or whatever) I've ever seen. I had no idea there were that many around.

Thirty years ago we never saw turkeys. Then one or two showed up, and now we have a rafter of 40 birds roaming around. Pretty amazing, really.

Here are photos. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get all 40 in one picture because I had to wait until they left the back yard to open the door and slip outside with the camera. There are over 20 in several of these photos, though.

I count 21 turkeys in this picture.

I count 27 in this picture (don't forget the one in the tree).

I like this shot because I caught one as it flew over the fence. I count 20 turkeys in this photo.



A close-up. The tree to the left has dried-up persimmons on it.



Call me "Handsome."

There must be something there.

The gang of three.

Twins.



Joe Cool the Turkey

Grasping Literal and Figurative

A few weeks ago on Bill Maher on HBO, the host raised up a book at the end of the show. It was titled, 14,000 things to be happy about, by Barbara Ann Kipfer. He read off a few items and said something along the lines of, "talk about that shit, not politics, during the holidays."

I promptly went to Amazon and ordered the book, as, apparently, did many thousands of others because the thing was quickly backordered and it took a while to receive it.

I've been having trouble lately coming up with things to write about, because, let's face it, I'm sitting on my butt and things are kind of boring right now and how many times can I kvetch about the fact that I didn't get my hardwood flooring because nobody wants to work or do a proper job anymore. Plus the holidays are coming up and I don't want to be depressing. All you have to do is read the news for that.

I am not sure why people read my blog (thank you, dear readers) but I don't think it is for any of those things on a long-term basis. (You probably come for the photos, right? Am I right?) Yet I also think that, given my history of almost-daily writing, I owe you something new most days, if not every day.

Anyway, I'm going to pick a topic out of this book when I want to write something and nothing comes to mind, simply by opening up a page.

Grasping literal and figurative was the item that caught my eye on page 162 of the list of 14,000 things to be happy about.

Now what the heck does this mean, grasping literal and figurative?

First, dictionary definitions.

Literal:  1. taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or allegory. "dreadful in its literal sense, full of dread"; 2.(of a translation) representing the exact words of the original text. (synonyms: word-for-word · verbatim · line-for-line · letter-for-letter · exact · precise) 3.(of a person or performance) lacking imagination; prosaic. (synonyms: literal-minded · down-to-earth · factual · matter-of-fact · no-nonsense)  -- (FYI: prosaic means "lacking poetic beauty, commonplace, unromantic.")

Figurative: 1. of the  nature  of or involving  a figure of speech, especially  a metaphor;  metaphorical  and  not  literal: example: The  word  “head”  has  several  figurative  senses,  as in “She's  the  head  of the  company.” 2. metaphorically so called: His  remark  was  a figurative  boomerang. 3. abounding  in or fond  of figures  of speech: Elizabethan  poetry  is highly  figurative.

So, literal means literal. Figurative means something other than not literal, though. It's not exactly it's opposite. Is it?

If I say, "wood is hard," then that's literal.

If I say, "wood is like a dead, dull heart in the chest of a murderer" then that's figurative. I am making the assumption that a murderer has a hard heart, which I am then comparing to wood.

This is a difficult concept to write about and to understand. People use the word "literally" incorrectly with frequency. "I literally ran faster than the speeding train to get to my job on time" is not a true statement - it's an overkill use of the word "literal" because of course you didn't actually run as fast as a speeding train. You're throwing in "literally" as an adverb to overstate your case for the fact that you were almost late for work.

The sentence itself could be figurative: I ran faster than a speeding train to catch the bus so I could get to my job on time" is figurative. (It's also very Superman-ish, isn't it?)

So when reading a news story, one would think everything in it would be literal, but over time we've come to accept more and more a figurative way of describing things. Let me go find an article and let's look at it.

I went to Bing and here's the first story on the page:

The Latest: Federal Courthouse closed in Alaska after quake.

What in this story could be figurative?

"rocked a wide swath" - possibly.

"frayed the nerves of quake-weary Alaskans" - figurative and also a cliché.

Everything else, though, is pretty literal. No heat in the courthouse. The 7.0 earthquake caused widespread damage.

That was pretty easy. But in opinion, which unfortunately most of the 24-hour news consists of, it is not so easy to distinguish. This is especially true if we're listening and not reading. It is much easier to see figurative speech in writing than to catch it when we're listening. Let's be honest: most of us listen with only half an ear anyway. (Did you see what I did there? Is that "half an ear" literal or figurative?)

If you think you know a rose when you hear it, consider if this is actually true. Sometimes roses turn out to be skunks in disguise.

Maybe this is something to think about the next time you want to ponder. Was what you heard opinion? Was it fact? Was it literal? Was it figurative?

Congratulate yourself if you can figure out the difference.

Sunday Stealing Does the Arts

Sunday Stealing Does the Arts

Classical: If you were an Olympian god, what would you be known for?

A. I would be a Cassandra, I'm afraid. Cassandra was not a god, but she was cursed by Apollo to utter prophecies that would come true, only no one believed her. So not a god, but god-cursed.

Byzantine: Do you prefer gold or silver accessories?

A. I like silver or white gold.

Medieval: Are you religious?

A. I'm etherial and spiritual.

Gothic: What is your favourite historic building?

A. I'm rather partial to the entire town of Fincastle, Virginia, which was founded in 1772 and named after Lord Fincastle, the son of Lord Dunmore (Virginia's lieutenant governor back in the day). The town was originally called Miller's Mill, named after John Miller who had a mill there, but two years later it was changed to Fincastle. It is the county seat of Botetourt County and it hold records that include surveys by George Washington and documents by Thomas Jefferson, among other leading men of the American Revolutionary War period. Much of the town has been preserved and it has a enchantment over it when the people are not around.

The Botetourt County Courthouse in Fincastle was built in 1848; a large portion of it burned
in the early 1970s and was rebuilt. Fortunately the documents were in a fireproof safe.
As a result of this fire, the state implemented a new regimen for keeping documents. 

The town of Fincastle circa 2006 as seen from Godwin Cemetary.

Renaissance: Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt enlightened or changed?

A. Yes. Thank you, Hollins College (now Hollins University).

The chapel at Hollins.

Baroque: Do you enjoy the finer things in life?

A. I like fine chocolate.

Rococo: Is your bedroom full or trinkets and pictures? If so, which pictures adorn your walls?

A. I only have one picture on my wall in my bedroom. It is of a gazebo.

The only picture in my bedroom. Now you know.

Neoclassicism: If something came back into fashion, what do you hope it would be?

A. Was sloppy dressing ever in fashion?

Romanticism: Do you often see things in a positive light?

A. No, I'm a glass-empty kind of girl.

Pre-Raphaelite: Which book would you like to see turned into a film?

A. The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion, by Fannie Flagg. It demonstrates a remarkable time in our history, when women took over work performed by men because of the war, and includes long-lost information about women who flew airplanes.

Impressionism: Do you look for details or take everything in at once?

I take in a big view and then dive in deeper for the smaller things. I like to take my time when I am looking at . . . whatever I'm looking at.

Art Nouveau: When were you last at the theatre?

A. We went to a play back in the summer.

Surrealism: Why does the porcupine think it's a duck?

A. Because someone pulled it's pin cushion things off and now it's a little quackers.

Pop Art: Do you enjoy pop culture?

A. Pop! Pop! Pop muzic. Pop. Pop muzic! It depends on what it is. Some things yes, some things no.

Contemporary: What did you do today?

A. I went to an author's gathering at the library in the neighboring county to meet up with some old friends and make a few book purchases for holiday gifts.
__________

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: Call Me

Saturday 9: Call Me (1966)

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

1) Chris Montez sings that you can always call him, regardless of the hour. Do you believe that it's ever too late to phone someone?

A. Not in an emergency. Phone calls for chatting should be limited to business hours. Generally if the phone rings after 9 p.m. at my house, something is wrong. It does frequently ring around 7 a.m. because people apparently think they can catch my husband before he gets out the door but he is usually long gone by then.

2) He insists that you can depend on him, even when your friends desert you. Who is someone you can trust to have your back, no matter what?

A. My husband.

3) Billy Crystal serenades Meg Ryan -- via answering machine -- with "Call Me" in When Harry Met Sally. Answering machines have been replaced by voice mail. Who most recently left you a voice mail?

A. The pharmacy to tell me my prescriptions were ready for pick up.

4) Chris Montez is a graduate of El Camino College in Torrance, California. The average daytime temperature in November in Torrance is 70º. How is the weather where you are today?

A. It's rainy, foggy, and about 40 degrees.

5) Today Chris actively promotes a healthy lifestyle to children. He was honored for his efforts by the group SOPA (Stop Obesity, Promote Activity). Do you believe you get enough exercise?

A. I don't, but considering my health issues I do fairly well. I average about 7,000 steps a day and at least 15 minutes of moderate activity most days, according to my Fitbit.

6) Released in late 1965, "Call Me" became a big hit in 1966, reaching #2 on the charts. Even though it sold millions of copies and was certified as a Gold Record, it never hit #1. Is winning, or being the best, important to you?

A. I like to do my best and hopefully that is "winning." I have noted a tendency in myself to not pursue things that I don't feel I do well at (like knitting). I will try them but if it looks like I simply don't have the knack for the task I lose interest.

7) In 1966, when this was playing on juke boxes, kids were watching Batman and Star Trek. If you had your choice of watching an episode right now, which would you choose: Star Trek or Batman?

A. Such a hard choice for a nerd girl! I liked them both. I will say Batman just for the fun of it.

8) Also in 1966, celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was born. Do you enjoy cooking?

A. Not particularly. It is one of those things in #6 that I don't feel I'm particularly good at. I don't mind baking or making chocolate things for Christmas, but I am hard-pressed to whip up a decent meal.

9) Random question -- You have the opportunity to perform in the circus! Would you rather be shot from a cannon, or put your head in the lion's mouth?

A. Those are my only choices? I guess I will be shot from the cannon. Ka-BOOM!
___________

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

Thursday Thirteen #580

Lord of the Rings quotes (some from the movie, some from the book)

1. “I thought up an ending for my book. ‘And he lives happily ever after, till the end of his days.'” – Bilbo

2. “The board is set, the pieces are moving. We come to it at last, the great battle of our time.” - Gandalf

3. “A day may come when the courage of men fails . . . but it is not THIS day.”  – Aragorn

4. “I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the Ages of this world alone.”  – Arwen

5. “There is no curse in Elvish, Entish, or the tongues of Men for this treachery.”  – Treebeard

6. “Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”  – Galadriel

7. "He used often to say there was only one Road; that it was like a great river: it's springs were at every doorstep and every path was it's tributary. "It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door," he used to say. "You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there is no telling where you might be swept off to." - Frodo about his uncle Bilbo Baggins

8. "Do not meddle in the affairs of wizards, for they are subtle and quick to anger." - Gildor (book only)

9. All that is gold does not glitter,
 Not all those who wander are lost;
 The old that is strong does not wither,
 Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
 From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
 A light from the shadows shall spring;
 Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
 The crownless again shall be king.
                      - The Riddle of Strider (book)

10. "Don't adventures ever have an end? I suppose not. Someone else always has to carry on the story." - Bilbo (book)

11. "You shall not pass!" - Gandalf

12. "Time does not tarry ever," he said; "but change and growth is not in all things and places alike. - Legolas (book)
 
13. "All you have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to you." - Gandalf
----------------------------
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 580th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.