Year's First Snow

It came from the East, with wild howls and thunder

a snow like a blizzard along the Blue Ridge Mountain row

A squall with malice as trees fell asunder

unable to bear the weight of high winds and snow.

(Yesterday, January 2, it was 70 degrees.)

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. Something that made you cry this year?

A. One of my best friends died.

2. Something you want to do again next year?

A. Breathe. Have another little spell where we didn't worry about Covid before Delta and then Omicron and the rest of the Greek alphabet turned up. Just a little while not to be concerned.

3. Talk about a new friend you made this year.

A. It's been another year of mostly staying home. I have made a new friend as a pen pal, though.

4. How was your birthday this year?

A. Nothing special.

5. Favorite book you read this year?

A. The book I am reading is usually my favorite book. I don't have a favorite book, but I did start reading Louise Penny and I enjoy her work.

6. What’s a bad habit you picked up this year?

A. I can't think of one.

7. Post a picture from the beginning of the year.

8. Post a picture from the end of the year

9. A memorable meal this year?

A. We ate Chinese a few times as take-out. We can't make a habit of it; too salty and too hard on my stomach. It was nice to have something different to eat, though.

10. What are you excited about for next year?

A. Nothing much. We have no plans, and my husband has a health concern that I suspect will create major upheaval.

11. What’s something you learned this year?

A. I learned that people are more ignorant, meaner, and less civilized than I ever thought.

12. What’s something new about your place of residence (room, home, or general location) now vs the start of the year?

13. Favorite place you visited this year?

A. The grocery store, I suppose. I didn't go anywhere else.

14. Did you keep any New Year’s Resolutions?

A. No.

15. Will you make New Year's Resolutions for 2022?

A. No. I will just try to live my best life every day. Some days that will look great, some days that will mean I made it out of bed.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Promise of a New Day

Saturday 9: The Promise of a New Day (1991)

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

 

Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2022!

1) In this song, Paula Abdul celebrates the promise of a new day. Here at Saturday 9, we're celebrating the promise of a new year. What do you hope 2022 will bring?

A. I'd like a job of some kind. Just a little part-time something, maybe 10 hours a week.

 

2) She sings that we should see the wisdom from mistakes of the past. What wisdom did you gain in 2021?

A. I learned not to buy another Dell computer, for one thing. I also learned that people lie, are devious, deceptive, clever, and unfortunately very human. We haven't really changed in the last six or seven thousand years.

 

3) What is something you'd like to spend more time doing in 2022?

A. Writing.

 

4) Paula Abdul was once a "Laker Girl" and performed at L.A. Laker games. Do you have a favorite NBA team?

A. I do not.

 

5) In 2009, she hosted RAH!, an elite cheer leading competition.  Do you remember any cheers from your school years?

A. Let's go, Cavaliers, Let's Go!  I think that's about it.

 

6) While famous for performing, Paula has arguably been more successful for her work behind the scenes, winning an Emmy for her choreography. Are you comfortable being the center of attention? Or would you rather work behind the scenes?

A. I like being behind the scenes. That was one reason I was a good reporter. While I had a byline and people recognized the name, they seldom saw my face. At meetings I was there, but not part of the news, simply reporting it.

 

7) She taught actor Val Kilmer how to dance for his role as Jim Morrison in the biopic The Doors. What talent, knowledge or advice have you recently shared?

A. I shared some personal advice with a friend.

8) Paula was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2005 and uses a prescription biologic every day to help her cope with pain in her toes. On your last trip to the drug store, did you pick up a prescription, or something else?

A. Something else.

9) Random question: You have been house-hunting for months. You finally find your dream home and are just about to say "yes" when you spot a mouse scurrying across the floor. Would you take the house anyway?

A. Of course. It's just a mouse. I'd have the seller hire an exterminator before I signed a contract, though.

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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.  

Going Back to Hippie Me

I had forgotten, really, that I was a 1970s version of a hippie when I was younger.

Once I discovered blue jeans and got away from my mother's version of what a girl should look like, I became the epitome of a young woman who lived in blue jeans and T-shirts. Or blue jeans and blouses.

And hats.

I wore lots of hats.

My brother reminded me of this Christmas Eve, when he presented me with this photo from my past:

That's my brother, my mother, and me.

My father must have taken this shot. According to my brother, it had 1976 on the back, so I would have been 13 years old, and my brother 10. He looks very much like he belongs in The Brady Bunch in this picture.

I, on the other hand, look like a hippie from the far hills, with my jeans, oversized coat, dark glasses, and hat.

We apparently were on a hike. My mother has a walking stick leaning against her, and I have one in my hand. My brother has a knife at his side, perhaps to kill saber toothed tigers with, or some such.

I have no memory of this picture, the hat, or the coat. The glasses, I think, were the kind that darkened in sunlight. 

Dressing like that, though, brings back some flimsy memories. Memories of my mother fretting because I refused to dress up anymore. She hated my hats. 

I hated dressing up more than she hated my hats and blue jeans, I guess. Or maybe she didn't think my wardrobe was worth fighting over after a while.

Now I dress like a frumpy old woman. I think it's time to go back to being a hippie. I shall have to look for hippie clothes for large women.

Mamma Cass pulled it off back in the 1960s, right?

I should be able to figure this out for 2022.

So long as I'm wearing pants. Ain't no way I'm going back to wearing a dress.

Thursday Thirteen

Well, it's the end of the year, so I thought I'd see if I accomplished anything. Here goes:

1. I lost 20 pounds and kept it off.

2. I read or listened to 61 books.

3.I had a poem published in Artemis.

4. I wrote several other poems but did nothing with them yet.

5. I wrote four songs (three with vocals, one instrumental).

6. I made videos of the four songs, which requires some knowledge of movie-making software.

 

7. I wrote to my new pen pals about once a month.

8. I wrote and published about 36 articles.

9. I took many photographs.

10. I learned the names of birds while I was bird watching.

11.  I was recognized on several occasions for the Botetourt County 250th magazine that I put together and edited in 2019, since the county moved its 2020 celebrations into 2021.

12. I didn't kill or maim anybody.

13. I learned that Dell does not deserve its reputation as a computer provider. They are terrible for home purchases, and I will never buy another one online again.

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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 737th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

Sunday Sunset

 

Oh, What a Christmas

We had visitors Christmas Eve and saw my mother-in-law on Christmas Day. Aside from that, it was a quiet holiday for us.

Hubby reads the paper while he waits for folks to arrive.

My stepmother and stepsister.

My husband and my father.

A profile shot of my dad.

My dad, stepmother, and stepsister, and my husband's big feet.

My brother and his girlfriend.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

1. What’s the most important thing about the holidays for you?

A. Seeing family.

2.  What’s the most annoying thing about this time of year.

A. The season starts too early. I don't want to hear Christmas carols at Halloween.

3.  Who do you celebrate the holidays with?

A. My husband, his mother, my brother and his friend, my father and stepmother.

4. Do you travel during the holidays?

A. No.

5. Do you prefer giving or receiving gifts?

A. I like to do both.

6. Who is the hardest person to buy a gift for?

A. It depends. This year my brother was difficult to buy for, as was my husband. Maybe it was not the year for guys.

7. What is your traditional holiday meal?

A. We don't have one.

8. Does your town get decorated for the holidays?

A. Yes.

9. Do you have a Christmas tree?

A. Yes.

10. If you have a tree, what is on top of it?

A. A star.

11. Do you decorate the outside of your house with lights?

A. No. No one can see my house from the road.

12. What is your favorite holiday memory as a child?

A. My brother waking me up at 3 a.m. to tell me Santa had come, and we'd slip in and see what was under the tree. Then we'd go back to bed, and when we didn't look surprised in the morning my parents would look at each other and say, "They got up in the middle of the night." Seems like that happened many times.

13. What is your favorite holiday dessert?

A. Fudge.

14. Do you have a favorite holiday movie?

A. The Lord of the Rings, which is not really a holiday movie trilogy, but it isn't the holidays unless I see at least parts of the movies.

15. What is your favorite holiday tradition?

A. Having my brother over for Christmas Eve and exchanging and opening our presents from one another.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Happy Holidays!

Saturday 9: Happy Holidays!

1. When Sam Winters (the meme author) was a little girl, she loved giving her annual wish list to Santa. If you could ask Santa for anything at all, right now, what would it be?

A. World peace, less fighting amongst people, etc., would all be very nice, but wishing it away isn't going to make it go away. Santa, alas, is rather materialistic in what he can actually manage, so I will wish for a small 5-year diary, one with just a few lines per day. I saw them when I was younger, even had one, I think, but I haven't seen them in a while and haven't been able to find one.

2. Are you currently on the Naughty or Nice list? How did you get there?

A. I presume I am on the Nice list, since I've not done anything overly naughty.

3. Are you traveling this Christmas? If so, are you going by car, plane or train?

A. Not traveling.

4. Did you buy yourself a gift this year?

A. No.

5. What's your favorite holiday-themed movie or TV special? Have you seen it yet this year?

A. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and I've seen it. I also like Jeff Dunham's Christmas Special - the DVD version, not the one on TV, because it leaves out a lot. The DVD version is hilarious.

6. Which do you prefer: candy canes or gingerbread?

A. Gingerbread.

7. Close your eyes and tell us the first carol that comes to mind.

A. Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree is playing on the radio so it's sort of hard to think of something else at the moment. That's not a carol, though, it's just a holiday song. Joy to the World?

8. What's your favorite winter beverage?

A. Water, same as it is every day. In the good ol' days, I used to like hot chocolate.

9. What do you remember most about the 2020 holiday season?

A. Covid. We stood out in the cold on my back porch with various members of my family at certain times, all of masked and huddled in our coats.

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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.  

Merry Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve to my readers who celebrate, and a fantastic day to those who don't!

Many blessings to all.

And to all, a good night!

Thursday Thirteen

It's Little Christmas Eve, and I'm feeling nostalgic. Here are toys I remember from childhood. How many are still around? Which ones did you, dear reader, play with?

1. Lincoln Logs 

2. Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots

3. Candyland game

4. Barrel of Monkeys

5. Baby Tenderlove

6. Mrs. Beasley doll

7. Fisher Price Farm Set

8. Paddle Ball

9. Johnny West & Friends dolls 

10. Action Jackson doll

11. Little green army men

12. Erector set

13. Tonka Toys

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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 736th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

All Lit Up

We took a drive around to look at Christmas lights the other night.

Lots of folks have lights out this year.

I shot these with my iPhone 5SE. I don't care if it is old, it still takes a decent picture.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

Questions continued from last week.

16. Do you want any piercings?

A. I have a piercing in each ear. I don't need any more holes in my head.

17. What’s your mouse pad look like?

A. It's a picture of fish. It's from the National Aquarium in Baltimore and I have no idea how I got it, as I've never been there. I've had it for many years. I should get a new one sometime.

18. Have you ever been to a psychic/tarot reader?

A. I have. I saw one at a "holistic healing" festival, or something like that. He was spot on.

19. How do you identify spiritually (do you follow a religion, what do you think about soul/spirit, etc.)?

A. I do not agree with the established Christian religions, and so I follow my own path. I think our souls go out into the universe. Some souls stick together and some scatter apart like dust. That depends on the path the soul is on. Logically, there likely isn't such a thing as a soul and the best one can hope for is to be good worm food.

20. Do you prefer your nails long or short?

A. Mine are quite short. I stopped biting them during the pandemic and they're starting to look a little better, but it will be a long time before the damage of 50+ years of gnawing on this dissipates. 

21. What are your favorite smells?

A. Vanilla, cookies baking, my husband's chest after he's had a shower.

22. Do you still use a radio or just use your phone/computer for music?

A. I use Alexa mostly, but I have a waterproof radio in the shower.

23. What kind of socks do you prefer to wear?

A. I prefer crew socks. My doctor had me switch to the Dr. Scholl's diabetic sock because they're looser and she'd prefer I wore ankle socks, but I can't stand those.

24. Do you have any family heirlooms?

A. Yes.

25. Are there any musicians you didn't like at first but grew on you?

A. I like The Beatles more now than I did when I was young.

26. Is there anything you used to love but now dislike?

A. There are foods I no longer eat because they disagree with me, but that's not disliking them.

27. Your favorite place to be aside from your home?

A. In a bookstore.

28. What is your favorite kind of tea?

A. Decaf Irish Breakfast Tea, but I only drink water now. I haven't had any tea in about a year.

29. Any old home remedies you use when you're sick?

A. I use Vick's on my feet when I have a cough and eat honey to keep things loose. I also inhale warm water vapors from a steaming pot. Sometimes when my ear hurts, I have my husband put his mouth over my ear and simply breathe - it equalizes the pressure a little. He doesn't do it as well as my mother used to, but he gives it a go. My grandfather used to blow cigarette smoke in my ear to stop it from hurting. I do not advise the last one.

30. What level of brightness do you usually keep your phone at?

A. It's a little to the left of the middle, whatever that is.

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I encourage you to visit other participants in Sunday Stealing posts and leave a comment. Cheers to all us thieves who love memes, however we come by them.

Saturday 9: Please Come Home for Christmas

Saturday 9: Please Come Home for Christmas (1992)

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

1) In this video, Jon Bon Jovi recalls decorating the tree with Cindy Crawford. They took turns wearing a Santa hat. Will anyone in your household be donning a Santa hat this season?

A. Doubtful. We're having trouble getting in the Santa Claus mood around here this year.
 
2) He sings of the salutations he's received from friends and relatives. Have you received many holiday cards this year?

A. Not many so far.
 
3) Will you wrap many presents? Or do you prefer to use gift bags? 

A. I wrap and use gift bags. Some presents are easier in gift bags.
 
4) Jon Bon Jovi says he and Frank Sinatra are distant relatives. Do you believe that musicality is a genetic gift, or that it can be taught?

A. I think you can teach someone to play an instrument and play it well, but they have to feel it to make it be music that grabs your heart.

5) Jon is such a big Star Wars fan that he wrote a carol called "R2-D2: We Wish You a Merry Christmas." There a dozen Star Wars movies. How many have you seen?

A. I am not sure. Maybe eight or nine. I know I haven't seen them all.

6) Jon once guest starred as Carrie's love interest in an episode of Sex and the City, the popular HBO sitcom set in New York. The new reboot, And Just Like That, also centers around NYC life. Where does your favorite TV show take place?

A. My former favorite TV show took place in National City (Supergirl). I don't have a favorite TV show at the moment. Old favorites took place in mythical worlds, in New York City, in an apartment in what I think was Phoenix, etc.

7) Jon met his wife, Dorothea, when they were still in high school. Do you remember who you wanted to marry when you were in high school?

A. I don't recall wanting to marry anyone when I was in high school. But then I married when I was 20, which is not so far out of high school.

8) At Christmastime 1992, when this song was released, toys that tied into Disney's Little Mermaid were very popular. Have you purchased toys for anyone on your gift list this year?

A. Yes, I have purchased toys for my great niece and great nephew.

9) Jon recorded "Please Come Home for Christmas" to benefit The Special Olympics. Here's your chance to plug a cause or organization that's near and dear to you.

A. Roanoke Area Ministries (RAM) is an interfaith non-profit that advocates for those facing or are threatened by homelessness and hunger. Founded in 1971, the organization opens its doors to those needing care coordination, day shelter services, meals, and emergency financial assistance.

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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 #735

The nearby town has a "tinsel trail" of decorated Christmas trees on display. We visited the other night. It wasn't quite dark enough for the lights to make the display all merry and bright, but the trees were pretty to look at.

The Tinsel Trail is sponsored by First Bank and the county Chamber of Commerce.

_____________________

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 735th time to do a list of 13 on a Thursday. Or so sayth the Blogger counter, anyway.

A Jam for My Friend

My friend, B., died on December 3. The family chose not to have a service. Instead, in the obituary, we were all advised to spend an hour having fun in my friend's name.

I had a sinus infection and was sad, so I wasn't exactly into fun at the time. Instead, I picked up my guitar and settled into a bluesy honkey-tonk jazzy something or another that went on and on and on without an end. This video ultimately was 20 minutes long; I cut it back to 6 minutes.

The rhythm guitar and drum loop was created using a Boss RC-3 loop station. I played the background rhythm first with the drums from the loop station. It's a simple jam in E7, A, and B. The lead guitar runs are simply me playing whatever I was feeling at the time.

The D string went out of tune a little bit during the time I was playing, and I can hear it in this part, which is unfortunate because I thought this section had some of the best lead runs in it. Oh well. What's a "live" performance without some error, right?

I hope B. enjoyed it.