Monday Music: Quincy Coleman singing "The Pie Song"

From the movie, "Waitress"

Such a bittersweet remembrance of a  sweet, sweet song.

Well, well, well. What have we here? Sunday Stealing!

Well, I'll Be...

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. We also provide a link to the victim's meme in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme.
Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

Well, I'll Be... Meme

Stolen from: Vulgar Darling

If I were a month, I’d be:
 A month of Sundays.  I like that idea.

If I were a day of the week, I’d be: 
Friday.  I like Friday for some reason, I guess because it was a really important day to get to most of my life.

If I were a planet, I’d be: 
Earth, I like it best.

If I were a god or goddess, I’d be: 
Artemis, the Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon, my next favorite celestial body.  Besides, I could keep an eye on Mother Earth, too.

nat-rat, deviant art,com

If I were a sea animal, I’d be: 

A California Sea Otter.  They are cute, live in family groups and don't ever have to come out of the ocean.

If I were a piece of furniture, I’d be: 
A lamp made out of Rose Quartz, carved, like they have at the Hearst Castle.

If I were a gemstone, I’d be: 
A yellow Diamond.  It's my favorite diamond color.

If I were a flower, I’d be a: 
Bearded Iris.  I'd be yellow, because yellow is sort of my astral color.

If I were a kind of weather, I’d be: 
Snowy.  But the kind that just comes in the high mountains and stays all summer.

If I were a color, I’d be: 
Goldenrod

Source

If I were an emotion, I’d be: 
Love

If I were a fruit, I’d be a: 
Strawberry.

If I were a sound, I’d be: 
The sound of the wind.

If I were an element, I’d be: 
Zenon, as it is inert and has never been altered or used but remains primordial, from the beginning of time it has existed, unchanged.

If I were a place, I’d be: 
The Four Corners Region, the most stable place in North America, because it's a special place.

If I were a taste, I’d be: 
Salty, like the Eternal Ocean.

If I were a scent, I’d be: 
an 'Angel Face' Rose

If I were an object, I’d be a: 
The Rosetta Stone, because I would be an object that could lead the way into the past civilizations.

If I were a body part, I’d be: 
The Heart, because it is the Center of Being.

If I were a song, I’d be: 
Sung by the wind through the sails on the high seas.

If I were a pair of shoes, I’d be:
Sandals for a baby so that I'd be passed down through a family,until I wore out, and get to help new ones walk around and explore the world.  

Really, does Gwyneth annoy you? Saturday9

The second this was published someone looked at it.   Up yours, FBI!  and no, I don't track my own page reads.  Not that....  Anyway

Come join in the fun! Meme button is in the sidebar with the other meme ones. And as the Gal Herself says, "We hate rules". So it's very fun.

Saturday 9: Viva la Vida (2008)

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


1) The song refers to the singing of choirs. Have you ever been in a choir or a vocal group? 
Yes.  I sang in choirs and did solos from the third grade in school, through High School.   I never got the chance to go to church after I was nine, so no choir singing in church.

2) Chris Martin sings of when he "ruled the world." If you were in charge and had infinite power, what would you change right away?
I would take cruelty, hatred and bigotry right out of the human Psyche.  And everyone would eat.  I forget who said that last time, but, Sista, that was so right on!

3) Chris used to be married to actress Gwyneth Paltrow. USA Today, The Washington Post and The Daily Telegraph have all run articles about how Gwyneth seems to annoy so very many people. What celebrity gets on your nerves?
It has to make a person cranky to just want to be an actor of quality, and she is, and then having to deal with unwanted media attention.  That's a real catch 22.  Since I don't follow celebrities much, I only know that the Kardashians are like fingernails on a blackboard to most people,as well as to me.  I can't understand even WHY they are in the public eye.

4) Coldplay's first big hit was, "Yellow." What color are you wearing right now?
A predominantly maroon Indian floral print.

5) Sam remembers when she used to hear this song everywhere and can't believe that was 7 years ago! When is the last time you had a similar "my, how time flies!" moment?
Just this afternoon.  It's Friday as I'm typing, and it will be Saturday in an hour and a half!

6) In 2008, when "Viva la Vida" was popular, John Grisham's latest legal thriller, The Appeal, was jumping off bookshelves. What have you read this summer?
I didn't keep track.  Let's see, summer starts in June.  I've read, Two Paradise of Glass sequels, two Jane Smiley's, a bunch of Amish novelettes, The Intern  and some others from Gutenberg.  Currently I'm reading, Chuckwalla Land, the riddle of California's Deserts.  Great Read!  There must be some others lurking in the back of beyond (my brain) but it's been busy around here.

7) Thinking of books: Let's say a biographer has taken the task of writing your biography. What would you title your life story? 
Too Soon Old, Too Late Smart!

8) 2008 is also the year Paul Newman died of cancer. Name a Newman movie. 
"Hud"  I never saw it but it's always in the crosswords, as is the name of his co-star in the film, Patricia Neal.

9) Random question: Do you like garlic?
I love garlic.  Do they put it in cookies, the Italians?  Garlic Chocolate Chip cookies.   I'd eat those cookies.

Is that Medium Rare or some other kind? Friday5:

Friday 5 for August 28: Extra Medium

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there; then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website!

What forms of media consumption do you pay for?
The daily Rag, aka the Union Tribune

When did you last read a physical newspaper?
Last Sunday

What percentage of your television consumption is watched live as it’s broadcast, versus on-demand, via recording, or some other stored or streamed medium?
Possibly five percent.  We watch things on PBS but not every week or even every month.

What’s been the big local story in your area this week?
I only read the Financial section and the big news has been the stock market, which may or may not be local.

What is the most recent thing you regretted clicking?
I have to tell you why the meltdown happened yesterday, it did, indeed start with a regretted "click"

I was researching for a blog post, and clicked on what I thought was a legitimate page for the topic, and - holy Criminy - it was not.  And, that same night we watched a documentary on Edward Snowden called "Citizen Four", and that was one of the first things I thought about when he was describing how innocent people are being caught in this espionage- my word- being conducted around the globe by the NSA.  Boy do I regret that click, big time.

Source

And I'm through with American Politics. Done.  Stick. A. Fork. In. Me. Done!
In Truth?  There is no such thing as Politics.  It's become ALL Economics!

I have nothing to say that hasn't been said, and this is Kismet.  I'm through.  I can feel this little kernel of hatred growing in my heart, and I do not want it there.  Kiss My Grits, Politicians, Big Corps, Military Brass....  All!  Jack, your advice is taken.  I'm going back to full time crafting.  Meh!


And the boss of this little weekly Meme says:

Thanks for participating, and have a delightful weekend!

And I wish the same for you all.  

Thankful Thursday- My cell phone sends out it's own messages? To the Government? Yes, it's freaking political....

Well, that filthy, little spy!!   I think I'll drop it into a public toilet!

Otherwise, I'm thankful (there's  that word again)  to be an American.

Thank you, Oh, Spikey Haired One!  You know what I mean.

Obama, it seems that you turned out to be ( re: Constitutional protections) no better than the Bushieheads.

How and when did the Neo-ruling class ascend to power behind the throne?
"Back in the U.S.S.R
You don't know how lucky you are boys
Back in the U.S.S.R"

Or was it closer to home, perhaps New Jersey?

And , Leader of the Free World, just how did they-who-must-be-obeyed purchase your public servant title?  You know, the one you got when you took The Oath at the swearing in?  *sighs* Just another Schist Nazi....
No kids, it means a metamorphosis has taken place and we've got ourselves another  Rockhead when we thought we got "a gem".

Shades of "Moon over Parador", or maybe, "Mondo Cane" a la Norte.  You know that Papa Dog bought a big piece of property next to the small American military base in Paraguay, yes?  Why did he do that?  Perhaps so that he could sell it to the American People's Money bag holders - and through several over paying public agencies- for a listening post built with black money, or perhaps just to show off.  Quién Sabe?

God Bless America.  She really needs the help!

This message will self destruct in ten hours, thirty-five minutes and twelve seconds.  or not.

Ciou Baby!

Wordless Wednesday - Sarcodes sanguinea (Snow Plant) in Yosemite Meadows.

Excellent Source Page 

Full Plant- Source: Mr. Z

Tuesday Tails: Migratory Seabirds: A Slideshow, with a not so small sideshow of Enviro Ranting.

While watching one of two documentaries on the disappearances of Arctic Ice and the Antarctic ice shield, a Shearwater flew by the camera from a species I'd never seen before.
So, the hunt was on!  During the hunt, one of the sites that came up was the Smithsonian, with this amazing offering.  

Migratory Seabirds: A Slideshow | Smithsonian Ocean Portal

The first bird you see, when you arrive at the page, is the Great Shearwater.
That's the bird from the documentary.

Here's the Enviro Ranting:  Please forgive me for going a little Environmental on you.  But, after all, most of the earthlings breathe air, and just tons of us live above the water surfaces rather than below them.

The first documentary was where the bird comes from: it's called,  "Antarctic Edge- 70° South".

We also watched   "Chasing Ice".   In it you will meet one VERY determined team of people trying to get your attention.  You will also see a lot of beautiful ice forms, and a lot of damage to the Glaciers that was so convincing that it slammed the door on the fingers of the "Deny The Elephant in the Room" Caste trying to engage our attention away from the deadly, as in "this thing is going to kill us all" problem of Climate Change.

I hope it's not too late, for everyone's sake.

Here's an "If Only" for you:

If only G.S. Callendar, Gilbert Plass, Roger Revelle, and Hans Suess had been listened to back in the 30's, 40's 50's and 60's.  They were right!  I hope I didn't leave anyone out there....

Taken near Pt. Reyes, with the old Ricoh

Monday Music: A Tribute to firefighters, a video made by a friend....

Thank you Lily B.

Thieves! The Sunday Birds are Chirping and probably Stealing....

Birds Are Chirping Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. We also provide a link to the victim's meme in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme.
Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

Birds Are Chirping Meme

Stolen from: Angel's Survey Blog

Name a product you buy mostly because it has a cool package.
Back in the 60's I set a course to stonewall most marketing ploys.   I'm reaaaally good at it now.

What flavor cake do you like for your birthday?
I like chocolate Souffle cake (flourless cake), but also like- just as much- a carrot cake made from a recipe that came from the SG&E pamphlet, when they still did such nice things.  Now they just try to sneak in and take and arm and a leg while you sleep.  That's why we have the dog.

Have you ever been in love with someone much older or younger than you?
I once cried when I found out that my UC Mineralogy professor was married, but otherwise, no.

Have you ever had a job you loved?
My job as a teacher's aid was the best thing ever.

Have you ever been in a building that was on fire?
No.  But I did drive through a wildfire once.  Very scary.

Are you in an argument with anyone right now?
No.  I don't usually argue with anyone anymore.  Life's just too short.

Would you change your hair color to something outrageous if you would get paid to?
 As long as the color was Pink.  Otherwise, no.

SOURCE

Have you ever written a poem for someone?
Yes, once.  They ended up getting divorced anyway.  It was about how to not lose your love in small ways.  Well, they went for the throat so I guess it was sort of successful.  Otherwise, not anyone else specific, but I do write poetry from time to time.

What is a place you’ve vacationed at and would like to go back to?
Pt Reyes National Seashore.   It's beautiful there.

Looking North, from the top of the point.

LIght House

Do you eat samples at the grocery store?
No.  oh Ick!

What do you absolutely have to have to make your birthday feel special?
The biggest thing you can do regarding birthdays for yourself is to live through them.  But it's always fun to make another person's birthday special.  Like one for a 98 year old.  

From this amazing blog

What’s the last tourist area you visited?
I went to The beach in San Diego

Where do you go out to eat for a special occasion?
Our lovely, and local, Italian Restaurant.

When was the last time you went to a post office?
A couple of years ago.  DH goes all the time.  We usually do a drive-by posting at the big blue boxes from time to time. And speaking of birthdays.....

Is there an item you are saving up to buy right now?
No.  We really have all the "stuff" we could ever use.  I'm glad I'm not saving up for a heart transplant though.  That would be tough at any age.

Are you psychic in any way?
If I felt that I was, I wouldn't tell the world.  Spoils the surprise; ya know?

Do you prefer a laptop or desktop? Which are you on now?
I love this creaking old desktop.  It's ten years old and Mr. Z's "Hobby" (sorry Country Dew, it was a typo, now corrected) is keeping it running.  It keeps him off the streets.

Have you ever received a gift and truly did not know what it was?
No, but Darn that sounds like fun!

Oh that Naughty Pandora!

What’s your homepage?
What is a homepage?  Oh you mean that thing that comes up first even when you hate it?  I'd have to say it's the Google Search page.  

Is there a thing you enjoy doing, but quit because you are not good at it?
If a person enjoys doing something, why on earth would they quit doing it just because they weren't good at it?  
I can see not being good at bungie jumping or base jumping but you wouldn't enjoy something like that for very long at all.  Yes?  
Oh I see.  hmmmm?  Well, not exactly a conundrum but close!

August Happiness Challenge Post: Norwegian Fiord

This was originally shared on Google+ by Ash LEE.

I wanted to see Norway, and actually live there.  Next time!  hehehe

The beauty of Norway is stunning.  It makes me happy that Norway exists, and isn't part of the Third Reich, or Russia.  Also, it's makes me happy that it's so close to Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Europe; that makes it even more perfect.

The only thing I don't like about it, we need not discuss.  I know you are curious but let's just say it concerns a certain illogical and intractable attitude toward large mammals.

Make this BIG!

"Hello Dolly": it's an "I love you, Louie" Day on Saturday9!

Hello Dolly!

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Hello, Dolly (1964)

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Hello, Dolly (1964)

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

1) This song is about a woman returning to the town where she was happiest. How many towns have you lived in? 

Eight towns and/or cities.

2) Crazy Sam played Ernestina in her high school production of Hello, Dolly! and still remembers one of her lines: "Hey, you with the big ears! What are you doing after the show?" Tell us something that you memorized for school that is still rattling around in your brain.

Sam, that is an awesome memory.  Congrats!

I played a witch, in a Junior High play, but don't remember any of the lines.  What I do remember from High School is dozens of phrases in two foreign languages, and the fact that "Everything is mostly nothing." from a sort of Physics course as a Junior. That phrase explains existence to me everytime it's written down somewhere.  It always makes me think about just what an illusion this life may well be!

See more amazing illusions HERE

3) This week's featured artist, Louis Armstrong, got his start entertaining diners on riverboat dinner cruises. Have you ever taken a dinner cruise? 

Yes, years ago on the "Rueben E. Lee" paddleboat when it was running in San Diego.  We went aboard twice and each time the whole evening was lovely.

4) Armstrong took his nickname, "Satchmo," from "Satchel Mouth" -- a slang term for someone with a wide mouth, which Louis believed was his most distinguishing feature. What do you think people notice first about you?

Gee, let me think...  I think they notice my eyes first.  

SOURCE

5) In 1936, Louis became the first African American to get featured billing in a Hollywood movie. Have you seen any of this summer's big movies? 

No.  But.  I'll probably see them NEXT summer or the summer after that.  

Netflix, because you can stop the action to go get a cola from the fridge.

6) When "Hello, Dolly" composer Jerry was growing up, he was close to an aunt named Belle who encouraged his love of music. Tell us about one of your aunts or uncles.

My mother's sisters didn't see us very much once we moved out to California again when the paternal unit didn't feel comfy on the farm.  This was partly because they were so far away, and partly because the Paternal Unit was such an ass.  

The one exception was our Aunt DeeDee,  who moved out to California for awhile with her second husband,  and my cousin, whom I was very close to as a young child.   We were like little sisters more than cousins.

Aunt DeeDee was as brilliant a stand up comedian as, say, Lilly Tomlin.   She really could have gone on stage.  She was also the best Auntie anyone could ask for.  She came through for me so many times, providing good council and protection from Psycho Dad when I finally "flew over the Cuckoo's Nest".

7) Though famous for composing the scores of Hello, Dolly!, Mame and La Cage Aux Folles, Jerry Herman can't read music. Can you?

I could read the treble clef but not so well anymore.  But I've made up songs here and there, and one was around a campfire one year at Quartzsite.  It was fun and sort of exhilarating.  Someone had a guitar at a camp out of the rockhounds; this guitar player, which was truly amazing, played his guitar along with me, composing on the fly.  

Wherever he may be now, I hope it's as happy a memory for him as it is for me.  What a gas!  Happiness, I tell you.  It happens all the time if you can step into the zone.

8) Now retired, Mr. Herman lives in Miami. This is Miami's "wet season," which lasts into October. When did it last rain where you are?

July, and it was the wettest July on record which really isn't saying too much because it rarely rains in a significant amount, here, in July.  And, no wonder everything is green in Florida!

RAIN in July!  Squeee!  Just click through and then click on the image.. it will start the video.  Short but lots of rain for us nutty Californians so we took snaps and videos.  Yes, I got out in it and got soaking wet.  Heavenly!

9) Random question: Have you suffered a sunburn this summer?

 Yes, at the most recent rockhound get together this summer, and in the shade.  Go figure.  lol  That's because I'm so seldom in the sun now.

PS from Me....  Everyone, have a wonderful weekend!  Not to hot, nor too cold, stirred, not shaken.

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

Saturday Komeekz a little early .August Happiness Challenge.

The funny papers always make me Happy.  It's something I look forward to on the weekends when we get the "News" Paper.

This is cute, but you'll have to make it bigger to read it.

It's almost Christmas!  Hahahaha ~*~'Tis the Season!~*~
I"m off to cast on those sleeves.  Yesterday, the stove got cleaned.  Really, I should do something about my priorities!  lol

Friday5- Is love the cure for what ails ya? Probably...

Friday 5 for August 21: Cure for What Ails ‘Ya

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there; then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website!

Show me, show me, show me how you do that trick!

What’s the greatest lovesong of all time?
My pick is, "Evergreen".  It's just so beautiful.   Here's Barbra...... and Kris singing harmony



What’s in the background of the most recent two pictures of you?
The towel bar in the bathroom.  I've been trying for a couple of weeks to get a decent picture of my long curly gray hairdo, mobbing my wrinkled little face, to send to my DDs.

What was the primary cause of your most recent mishap?
Can I have a definition of "mishap"?  

Why can’t I be you?
You wouldn't want to be me?  Heck, sometimes I don't even want to be me.

What did you do on the 13th?
Friday the 13th came on a Thursday.  I stayed home and read a book by Jane Smiley about an extraordinary midwestern family.  Believe me, you wouldn't want to be any of them either.

Thanks for participating, and have a kiss me kiss me kiss me weekend!

Thankful- August Happy Challenge- Thursday: Knitting, Doves, Chuckwallas, and AC

I'm knitting, and doing laundry, but mostly I plan to knit and read about Chuckwallas. It just doesn't get much better than that. Well, unless you add in the eating of chocolate Doves.

Source is too X-rated to post here
TeeHee  

 Well I might clean the stove but that's not high on the Happiness Challenge List.  *Yawns*
And, the answer is, "Yes", if you were wondering if this is also an "August Happiness Challenge" post.

I've found this August to be MUCH less challenging to my Happiness than was last August because last August was before the new furnace was installed. The new furnace that brought with it a new Pal called AC.

I fell in love with AC the moment he came through the door.  He's just cool, what can I say?  I'd like AC to frostbite my toes, but Mr. Z would not approve.

Enjoy TGIF tomorrow!  Ciou, Baby!

Wordless Wednesday, Big Sister, Little Sister.. from way back...

Tuesday Tails, i.e. the Wolfie Report and the Tort Report; plus tiny August Happiness Challenge, Big Questions about Existence, and the knitting report.

Wolfie Report:  The dear little fellow, is getting older.   His muzzle is nearly all gray, a silvery gray, I tell myself, but still gray.  I don't want to part with this little dog.  He is a joy of existence to us.   He whines now to be petted:  "Hey, look at me.  Don't forget to give me scritches and belly rubs, please!"  I'm so glad he's gotten comfortable enough to whine and beg for attention.  He so deserves to be cuddled.

I would put up more fun pictures of Camouflaged pets but I'm updating all my photos to another server, so the computer has fits when I try to find and plug in any photos.

Tort Report:  With temperatures over 90, we had to bring in the baby tortoises to cool off.   Even though they are cold blooded, they can't have their temperatures go over a certain level before dying, so we brought them in.

I put them into a small gray basket, which Dusty immediately tried to climb out of, high sides and all.  He never made it but torts never quit, either.  He stood on his big sib's back for the rest of the afternoon, trying to get a grip on the edge of that little basket.  No luck so when his body temp went down to make it even slower going, he tucked up in the opposite corner and went to sleep.

After the outside temperature dropped to a safe degree, Mr. Z put them both back into their crow and skunk proof enclosure.  The next day, when Mr. Z went out to get them before the mercury hit 90, Dusty was tucked up in a corner and was nice and cool to the touch, so, Mr. Z reasoned that, since all Dusty did was try to escape, he could stay in the little hole of his, and Milagro would come in by herself.   Today is the first day it was safe to leave them both outside in several days.

About August Happiness:  I struggled with happiness today, mostly because I'm feeling pretty useless.  When a person who is used to doing a lot of things and really getting things done hits that intractable wall, it's as if their whole persona shatters.  I'm trying to get my arm well, and it's not working as well as planned.  BUT... last night I came up with a new strategy, and if that works, I think it will heal.

So, I began to question why I'm even still alive, because I really can't help anyone at all.  Hands and healthy arms are the main tools of a crafter.   It took me awhile to ascertain that these decisions where just not mine to make, not rationally.  So, I decided to find some happiness to share.

Knitting Report: Yesterday,  I picked up the pink Cardi that I'm knitting and just held it for ten minutes, trying to get back the feel of it, in my hands and mind.   I rolled it over in my hands and smoothed it back out, getting the fronts properly oriented to the back.

Today I meant to cast on the sleeves but, since I also had a library book to finish before it sailed right out of my reach, the cast-on didn't happen.  Jane Smiley, and it's an ebook.  I can hardly wait for the sequel to be issued.  This one, I'm pre-purchasing.  I can't wait for months to get a copy from the library, hardback or ebook, as these books get a line "a mile long out the door".

Tonight, I know once again, that happiness is a do it yourself project, and I'll be working on the cardi tomorrow, God Willing, and will cast on the sleeves.  I also am thankful that this Stardust Cardi has short sleeves!

Picture from Knitty.com

Pattern HERE, from Knitty...  I'm updating the side bar button to the latest edition, too.

Have a happy Wednesday!

Amazingly Brave.....

See More Tanker Runs here

This Photo is from the Corona Fire Department's team. C/o SuzieQz

Monday Music: Billy Swan singing his song, "I Can Help"

From the time it was released in 1974, I loved this song!  I loved those rockin, rollin, swingin rhythms.  Still love it.

Hope you do, too.  "I Can Help" was a crossover smash hit and everyone was swaying to the music while cooking dinner, mopping floors, and listening to the car radio on the way to and from work or school.

When it came on, I'd turn up the radio and dance in the kitchen or around the house with one of the twins in my arms.  Good times!

The Too Long, TMI meme-- Sunday Stealing

August 15, 2015

Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

 Linkie to Sunday Stealing

I want you to be free from me Meme

Stolen from: Everything Goes To Hell


Are your nails painted a dark or light color?
They aren't painted.

Have you ever order pizza online?
 Nope.

What color was the last candle you lit?
White, at Christmas

 Is there something written on your shirt right now?
I'm not wearing one.

Is there a bookshelf in your room?
 There are bookshelves in nearly every room of the house.

Do you own a treadmill?
Not any more.  I don't do treadmills, even car pool treadmills, anymore.

Have you ever signed up for a gym membership?
Yes, that's why we got rid of the treadmill, and the Nordic Trac.

Is there a garbage can in your room? What color is it?
No.  Who keeps a garbage can inside the living quarters?  
Do you mean the kitchen composter?  If so, it's stainless steel and about a foot high.

Have you ever read in the bathtub?
No.  I don't want to drop another book into the water.  My text book once fell into the sink when I was doing dishes.  That cured me of getting any book near a possibly watery grave again.

Have you ever had to wear a hairnet?
 Yes, when I worked at a burger joint.

Do you know how many pages the last book you read had?
 I only know that it had over 430, the last page number I remember seeing.

What day of the week does the laundry usually get done?
 When the darks or the lights hampers are full.  Washday used to be Monday but this hasn't been so for a long time.

Do you use the Facebook chat often?
 I'm not on Facebook.  Frankly, I dislike it more than I dislike Google+

Do you have any baby pictures of yourself on your computer?
No.  I'm what used to be called a "War Baby" so few pictures even exist of me as a baby or small child.  And now that the country's been in a constant state of war for over 60 years, that cute little descriptive phrase applies to just about any American baby born in those intervening years.

Do you eat onion rings?
Yes, they are considered forbidden fruit, though.

What flavor of tea did you last have?
Rooibos tea but, sorry, it's a type of tea and not a flavor.  There are lovely flavors of all sorts of tea I'd like to try but, alas, not very many decafs.

 Do you own a bathrobe?
 No, and don't let the film, "L.A. Story" fool you.  Californians do not all have white bathrobes in the closet.  That's for hotels to do.  We regularly walk, wrapped in a towel, to get from room to room after a bath.  DH once went out in his skivvies to retrieve the morning paper.  He only did that once.  *glares*

Did you/will you have coffee or some other form of caffeine today?
Three days a week I eat chocolate.  I wish it could be more but the scale doesn't lie to me anymore.  Someone rigged it to tell the truth.  I wonder who that someone was?

Do you have a mailbox or do you collect your mail from the post office?
I live in the US.  We can have an excellent postal service just so long as the pinch pennies in public office will leave it alone.  You'd think THEY, the toffee noses, were paying the bills and not we, the people!  Hard luck if they want to spend even more making money on swords rather than mailboxes.  Ya know?

What was the last animal you saw, and was it a pet?
He's a pet, and he's adorable.  He's also in his cuddler behind me, snoring away right now. Yesterday I saw a fence lizard who was black and speckled white on the limb of the Cape Honeysuckle, and I saw a Cassin's Kingbird looking longingly at the bird bath.  The weather has been roasting hot here the past several days.  I pity the poor birds and little animals, like my sister's neighbor's little poodle, who have to be out in it.  I'm going to steal that dog someday.  Shhhh! No I couldn't be that mean but I'm going to call someone who will take care of it if it goes on.

What was the last documentary you watched focusing on?
It was about General Tso's Chicken.  A chef from Taiwan invented it.  He came here to claim victory from an usurping chef making big claims.  It was a fabulous show and story about not only the dish, but Chinese immigration and diaspora into the U S of A as well.   I'm so happy that some of the Chinese came here.

Hey!  That's my happiness for Sunday and the August Happiness Challenge!

Chinese Happiness Character

And back to our regularly scheduled Meme:

Is there anything you need to remember to do before the day ends?
I guess I should have eaten ... well, I get another chance at it a little later on!  America, got to love it.  

 Is your car messy, or do you like to keep it clean?
My cars are neat as pins.  However I no longer have a car of my own.  

The link goes to a contest at CarTalk.  go see!  Hahahahaha!

Ours is not anywhere as bad as this
and the little dog isn't the one making the mess
SOURCE

Are you the type to wake up before the sun has even risen?
I get up when I wake up, and the last two mornings it's been before sunrise.  

Do you get uncomfortable when people stare at you?
Actually, anyone rude enough to stare at me I will stare back at.

Have you ever been admitted to the hospital for a long period of time?
Three weeks.  That was a maternity stay.  It was stupid, and I spent the rest of my life regretting it, off and on.

Have a great Sunday!

August Happiness Challenge.. Saturday August 15th

I'm having a real challenge being happy because of a big NO NO yesterday.  I read the front page.

*Hangs Head in shame*

But!  I think funny videos are happiness making.....

https://www.youtube.com/embed/uk2a-MJyM1g

It's from a Tool Store.. very cute... sort of adult content but no nudity...

Saturday9

Stay with Me

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Stay with Me (2014)

... because Kwizgiver recommended it

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

1) Sam Smith explains that this song is about just not wanting to wake up alone. How about you? Are you comfortable being by yourself?
Yes, but I'd rather not be, and glad I'm not.

2) Last year a lawsuit filed by Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, who maintained that "Stay with Me" was really just "I Won't Back Down." Petty and Lynne won. Have you ever served on a jury?
No

3) Smith performed this on The David Letterman Show. Did you watch Dave's final episode last May?
Nope
4) Smith says his style was influenced by ladies with "massive voices," including Adele, Amy Winehouse, Chaka Kahn, and Whitney Houston. Of those four, which do you listen to most often?
Chaka and Witney.  

5) Speaking of style, Mr. Smith is a smart dressed man who looks comfortable and dapper as he walks the red carpet in a tux. Do you enjoy getting dressed up for special occasions?
I used to.  Now I'm glad that I don't have to very often.

6) "Occasions" is a word that makes Crazy Sam stumble because she can never remember how to spell it correctly. Are you a good speller?
I'm pretty good.  But, I'm slipping up more and more.

7) Sam Smith was born on May 19, which makes him a Taurus. When did you last check your horoscope?
Not for at least a year now.  It used to be interesting and now.... meh...

8) Tauruses are supposed to be reliable, organized and ambitious. Do any of those three adjectives describe you?
I'm not a Taurus but they pretty well describe my sibling, who is a Taurus.

9) Random question: Look at the floor. Do you see carpet, rug, hard wood or tile?
I see my little dog, who, being a Shitzu mix can lay out like a small carpet with a tail.  And, since vinyl flooring wasn't mentioned, I can say, truthfully, "none of the above."

Thanks so much for joining us again at Saturday: 9. As always, feel free to come back, see who has participated and comment on their posts. In fact sometimes, if you want to read & comment on everyone's responses, you might want to check back again tomorrow. But it is not a rule. We haven’t any rules here. Join us on next Saturday for another version of Saturday: 9, "Just A Silly Meme on a Saturday!" Enjoy your weekend!

Who are these people? Well, Happy Birthday anyway!

Friday 5 for August 14: You Say It’s Your Birthday

Hello, and welcome to this week’s Friday 5! Please copy these questions to your webspace. Answer the questions there; then leave a comment below so we’ll all know where to check out your responses. Please don’t forget to link us from your website!

Happy 75th birthday to actor/comedian/musician Steve Martin! He played a sadistic dentist in Little Shop of Horrors (1986). What’s your relationship with your dentist like?
I have a great dentist whom I respect and relate to quite well.  We like the same music and both love the ocean.

Happy 65th birthday to comic strip artist Gary Larson, creator of The Far Side! One classic The Far Side strip illustrates literally the Platonic allegory of the Ship of Fools, followed by an illustration of his own concept of the Car of Idiots. When have you been a passenger in a car of idiots?
I'd have to look that gig up to even begin to know how to answer this question.  I've seen Gary Larson comics and books, and liked them but not the Car of Fools thing.

Happy 55th birthday to basketball player Ervin “Magic” Johnson, who spent his whole career as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers! What are your memories or impressions of Los Angeles?
Smoggy and crowded.  Terrible traffic all the time well, not quite all the time.  At 4 am it's not too bad.

Happy 50th birthday to actress Halle Berry, who plays Storm (a woman who can control the weather) in the X-Men movies! What’s the weather like right now, and if you could adjust one aspect of it for the weekend, what would it be?
It would be cooler and less humid.

Happy 32nd birthday to actress Mila Kunis! Which of these Mila films have you seen?
Not that I know of....not any of the following anyway.  Sorry.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008)
Extract (2009)
The Book of Eli (2010)
Date Night (2010)
Black Swan (2010)
Friends with Benefits (2011)
Ted (2012)
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
Annie (2014)
Jupiter Ascending (2015)

Happy birthday also to Doc Holliday, Paul “Daffy” Dean, Earl Weaver, David Crosby, Susan St. James, Danielle Steel, James Horner, Rusty Wallace, Marcia Gay Harden, Sarah Brightman, Susan Olsen, and Tim Tebow.

Thankful Thursday: August Happiness Challenge.

I love dogs and cats, and birds, too, but I'm allergic to them.

Pina sent me some very cute pictures of dogs and cats.  Here are three, with a link back to the page that they came from

.  I hope they make you happy too!  Thank you, Rho, and Pina!  Thank you!

 From a photo shoot called "Hiding in Plain Sight"

I think these are adorable.

Here's a little spotted kitty...

These all come from the site, www.Lifewithdogs.tv  another wonderful animal stories site and one connected to animal rescue.  Passing this on because this Heals the Heart.  It makes me happy. 

Not quite Wordless Wednesday: Indian National Heritage Wildflower Park.

From HERE

This is my August Happiness Challenge.  You see, I regret that I've not been able to see more flowers in my life.  See as many as you can for as long as you can.  All plants that are not ferns or fungi, have a flower.  Flowers make me very happy.  They always have.

Monday Music: 6 String Hub-jo, the Canjo's cousin, and "Feelin; Bad Blues" on a Weissenborn. The Yes Ma'am String Band playing out of New Orleans.

I SO love All  stringed instruments,

They make me very happy, from the Tub bass-  New Orleans Yes Ma'am String Band and all the way onward.  This for a bit of fun during August... August Happiness Challenge.. Monday

Meet the 6 String Hub-jo: This one crafted by David Oakes.



A quote from The blurb on this YouTube:  
"Life has so much fun if we just go along for the ride !"

And then there is this beautiful song, "Feelin' Bad Blues" on a Weissenborn guitar.



For Jimmie, who plays, for Country Dew who plays, and for all the other amazing musicians out there.  Play on!  Play On Brothers and Sisters!!

Hope you enjoyed the musical adventure.  I loved putting this together.

Sunday Stealing makes me happy: Inventing a new country Yay!

This is MY country, Land of the Bees, and other pollinators...

Crazy Random 20 Meme

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of memes from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent memes. You may have heard the expression, “honor amongst thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from. We also provide a link to the victim's meme in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from this new meme or recently asked questions from a previously featured meme.
Cheers to all of us thieves!!!

Crazy Random Twenty Meme

Stolen from: My Random Randomness

1. Have you ever demolished a wall or building?
 Walls, and I've helped demolish a large private residence in Pasadena for building salvage.  It was a shame to have to do that.  But it was the fifties and everything was changing really fast.  The new owner wanted to build an apartment house on the property.

2. If you and a friend both wanted the same thing would you let the friend get it first? 
Actually, even if it was one of a kind I could live without it better than I could live without a friend..

3. Have you ever argued over who should pay for something? 
I can't remember ever having to argue over something like that.  Insurance usually paid for most things in my life.

4. Do you have any family heirlooms? 
I have my mother's glass butterfly necklace, and the family pictures. Also, my grandmother's eye glasses, and a cigar cutter from my grandpa.  

5. Are you related or distantly related to anyone famous? 
Babyface Nelson?  nah... that's not me, honest.

6. What's your favorite ocean? 
I'm partial to the one I grew up wishing to live near to, the Pacific Ocean.  I love that thing.

7. Do you correct peoples mistakes?
 No, I think it's impolite to correct people's mistakes.. ROTFLMAO!

8. Have you ever helped out an injured animal? 
I help injured lady bugs for heaven's sake; I have absolutely NO fear of the consequences of interfering in Fate.

9. Do you throw bread for the ducks? 
One of the greatest joys in life is feeding things, and yes, ducks, too.  But please don't give them white bread, ok?
10. Do you think babies are little bundles of joy or smelly noisy things? 
They are smelly, noisy and messy little bundles of joy.

11. Do you give money to buskers?
Ya,  what of it?  hehe  One must encourage the musicians of the world.  To do less seems sort of cruel and unhelpful.

12. Do you ever forward or reply to chain mails? 
I'm not as brave as the guy who did that to some needy ex royal in Nigeria, so no, I do not.  But, I must say, it was lots of fun to read about that guy's experiences.  

13. Do you often have a tune in your head you can't name? 
If there's any tune in my head I can name it.  I can name tunes in your head, too.  What bothers me is the voices... and the buzzing sounds... gah!

14. Has anyone ever approached you thinking you were someone else? 
Yes, I'm supposed to look exactly like someone named Gail, or was it Lynn?  I can't remember.

15. Have you ever starred in an amateur or professional video?
 No, I'm not that photogenic,or talented.

16. Have you ever been in a position of authority? 
Once, when my kids were under the age of 11.  After that, my powers vanished.

17. If you were ruler of your own country what would you call it? 
I'd call it Eden, or maybe Utopia, after two of  the first and best places ever made by superior beings, or conceived of by the human mind.  There would only be organic gardens, and the balance of nature would be respected.

Instead of free guns and bullets, everyone would have free solar powered digital cameras, the best that could be constructed.  There would be no firearms, all guns would be banned (as would knives with blades longer than 1.32 inches). The length needed to taste test apples or maybe celery, for picking.

Contraband - such as the banned items mentioned above- would not be allowed, ever, and the citizens responsible for bringing them into Eden/Utopia would be banned, sent away, and their cameras confiscated at the border.  

People could grow healthful herbs of ANY kind without fear of being fined, incarcerated, deported, and/or their digital cameras confiscated.  

Eden would have flowers and vegetables growing everywhere there was not a building (and of such there would be few- only the necessary lodgings and meeting halls). Children would be home schooled with lots of music and art on the curricula.  Montessori schools would be free!    

Citizens would all be vegans, by Royal Decree. If you don't like it, you always have the choice of leaving.  Eden/Utopians would not want to hold you against your will.  If you leave voluntarily you get to keep the camera.

Soy Ice Cream would be free, day or night, and the Royal family would grow any food needed, so that the rest of the population could craft and make art or go about with cameras, capturing the beauty of the land and the wildlife.  

18. And what title would you give yourself? 
Wakawee Meda, which in Shoshoni means "Mothering Prophetess"  Hey!  I like it!  No judging! heehee

19. If you invented a monster what would you call it?
 It would be small, like a toy poodle size, but it would look like a cross between a Tribble, and a mini goat, with little golden horns and hooves.  I would call it a Ziltermitzen for it's call which would sound a little like a toad and a nightjar.

20. And what features would it have?
Pink eyes,light tan nose, pink pointed tongue, and a quizzical expression which suggests that the Ziltermitzen listens carefully to every word of any human, in order to be of service. 

August Happiness Challenge, Saturday.

These little fellows make me very happy.

This collage was created by a contributer to Wiki that is called, Alvesgaspar.  He contributes an amazing amount of gorgeous photography to Wikipedia.  If you visit that link, you can click on links that go to other albums this amazing man has shared.  I promise you  that you'll get the same happy feeling that I did this day.

About the Sylphids:  These little insects are entirely harmless, they do not sting or bite,  but they are also dying in record numbers just as are the honey bees and all other pollinators.    I decided to talk a little about them because seeing one on the Buddleias today made me almost insanely happy.

Have a happy Sunday......♥!

Saturday9 Get high on Mountains..remember that catch phrase?

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!
Saturday 9: Rocky Mountain High (1975)


... because Bev recommended John Denver
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Denver sings that he was "born in the summer of his 27th year," because that's when he discovered the place where he felt most at home. What do you remember about your 27th year? (If it hasn't happened yet, what do you want to happen when you're 27?)
I was recovering from a broken back which I'd gotten a year prior.  Lots of fun, I tell ya.  ;o). I had lots of Yoga and Ballet lessons, to help out.

Ballet is the best exercise if you stay out of toe shoes.

2) In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly named this one of the state's two official songs. (The other is "Where the Columbines Grow.") Do you know your state song? 
"I Love you California", a song that was likely parodied in the movie, "Moon Over Parador", which is an insanely funny film.

3) John Denver was a dedicated environmentalist who wrote an anthem about Earth Day. Are you careful about your energy consumption? Do you recycle? 
We are and we do.  

4) 1975 is also the year that Denver released a collection of holiday songs called Rocky Mountain Christmas. On this August day, what's the first carol that comes to mind?
"Hark the Herald Angels Sing"  

I now shall offer a teeny rant word or two about the developing Christmas brouhaha: 
I really don't care if Jesus was born in December or if he was born in Spring with the rest of the lambs.  I just don't care.  In my eyes, He was a very special and courageous REAL Human Being -more real than any door - who proved a very BIG point to mankind, and deserves to be venerated.  

5) Denver dabbled in photography in his spare time and friends say he was quite good. Tell us about your hobbies.
I like photography, knitting,sewing, ceramics, and silver-smithing.

6) In 1975, when this song was popular, mood rings were all the rage. It was said that the ring reflected the wearer's mood. Black = anxious/stressed, orange = worried, green = normal, blue = happy, pink = as good as it gets. As you respond to this week's Saturday 9, what color would your mood ring be?

Pink.  pink! PINK!!!  

7) Pet Rocks were 1975's other odd cultural phenomenon. Do you have any real-life, breathing pets?

Oh yes.  I have one very cute, little, curly dog, and five desert tortoises. 

8) 1975 saw the premiere of Wheel of Fortune. Are you good at word puzzles?
I'm not certain what word puzzles are, besides cross words, and yes I am good at those.

9) Random question: Did you sleep well last night?

Nope.  Went to sleep after 1 AM and was awake at five and drank some tea. Slept a bit in the afternoon when trying to watch an episode of  "Midsummer Murders".

Everyone, have a great weekend!