Sunday Stealing: I love a Parade

... except that I don't, really... 😏  No, not really.  I like the small town ones where it's only three people deep on the sides of the route, and the floats are home made, and the high school marching band is in it. You know the kind.  
They are like the one that is in the Movie, "Doc Hollywood".  That one, I would go to.



If you haven't seen this, you are in for a treat.  Love this movie...

BUT, This is Sunday Stealing!  So here we GOOOOO

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

I don't remember where I found this one, but given that the 4th of July is coming up, I thought this series of questions about parades might be fun.

So Friends, want to join in?  Want to see other Thieves?  Go HERE

I Love a Parade

1. Do you like parades? 
Sometimes. I like the Macy's Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade to watch on Television.  If it's a small one, I like to go in person.  But I don't go to the Big ones?  

2. Rate the following parade attractions in order of affection:
*. horses; 
*. marching bands 
*. floats;
*. anything that gives away candy:
*. politicians ride in cars? 
*. antique cars/tractors;
*. fire trucks;
Horses!! 
Marching bands! 
Floats!
Fire Trucks!, 
Antique Cars/Tractors!
Anything that gives away candy! 
Politicians riding in cars.  😛  😛  😛  😛

3. Have you ever been in a parade?
I don't think so.  Maybe when I was a baby?

4. Do you bring lawn chairs to parades? 
Most events that are outdoors we will take a blanket and short lawn chairs to.  Cooler, etc., etc. 

5. Does it bother you to have to park a long way from the parade, and then walk back to the car afterwards?
Yes and thus the answer to question #1.  

6. Do you wave at people you know? 
Oh, Heck yes.

7. At people you don't know?
Oh, Heck yes.

8. Do you take pets -dogs particularly - to parades? 
Oh Hell no.. 

9 Have you ever been to a big parade in person (Rose Bowl, Macy's, etc)? 
No.  But one year we were going to go to the rose parade.  However, after some thought, we changed our minds.   The temptation was that my sister had a boon pal who had a house on the route of the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena.  She had offered to let us sit on her lawn.  


10. Do you attend more warm weather or cold weather parades? 

If I ever actually WENT to a parade, you can bet it would be a warm weather one.  

Genetic study of Americans reveal some surprises. Science Magazine.org

http://www.sciencemag.org/news/2014/12/genetic-study-reveals-surprising-ancestry-many-americans

Saturday 9: with the usual Gratuitous Opinions. Linda Ronstadt

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!


 Readers:  If you would like to see more posts or join in the fun.. Go here

SATURDAY 9: BACK IN THE USA (1978)

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

1) This song lists seven cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Chattanooga, Baton Rouge and St. Louis -- that Linda just loves. How many have you visited?
Los Angeles.  In fact, growing up, I lived 11 miles from Downtown.  I may of briefly visited Chicago as a three and five year old as it was, at the time, a hub for trans-continental train lines.

2) The lyrics refer to hamburgers sizzling on the grill. What toppings do you believe make a perfect burger? I haven't had a burger in a decade.  I don't like much them.
 
3) The original recording of this song by Chuck Berry has always been one of Linda Ronstadt's favorites, one she used to enjoy singing along with in the car. What's the most recent song you sang?  "Blue Moon", it was in a Series soundtrack.  I sang along. I can remember it from Billy Holiday's recording.  Now that, my dears, is an Oldie!


 
4) Linda sang The National Anthem at Game 3 of the 1977 World Series. The New York Yankees won both that game and the series. How is your baseball team doing this season?
To be honest, I don't follow any sport anymore except once in a while I get all het up about Basketball.  
 
Since this is our last Saturday 9 before Independence Day, let's ask some questions about the holiday.

5) During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits on Independence Day?  I might have a beer but likely not.  I do like NAB or Non Alcoholic Beer.  It's surprisingly good.

 
6) The first man to sign the Declaration of Independence, John Hancock, said he wrote his name so large King George could see it, even without his glasses. Do you require glasses for reading?  God Bless You John Hancock!  Too bad we EVER trusted them.  
Yes, darn it.  I won't need them once I get cataract surgery, though that may be never.  So far I don't need it.
 
7) Since July 4 is a federal holiday, banks are closed and there's no mail delivery. Thanks to email and ATMs, Sam finds going without those services isn't a hardship. What about you? Will you find it inconvenient that banks and the USPS are closed on July 4?
Not at all.  And I think the USPS has earned that Holiday so I'm glad they have it.  Banks always take it anyway.  I'm sort of on the Fence about how I feel about the Banking Industry. They should get a Go to Jail card, some of them.
 
8) The first 4th of July parade each year is held at 12:01 AM in Gatlinberg, TN. Will you attend a parade or fireworks to celebrate the 4th?
No parades though if there were a small town one around close, I'd go to a parade.  But a fireworks show?  Freaking no!  I hate fireworks.  They scare all the dogs and horses and also scare the beejeebers out of all the wild birds.  
A side issue.....
San Diego Humane Society put out a plea for Foster Parents for the Fourth, to make room for the lost animals that flood into their facilities.   Speaking of fostering....Here's a story that will make you tear up. 
 



9) More and more Americans celebrate our nation's holiday by eating foods from Italy and Germany. For the July 4, 2016 holiday, more than $50 million was spent on Italian sausage and bratwurst. What's on your 4th of July menu?  I'll probably make some potato salad.  And we probably will have organic polish sausage hot dogs in buns.  Idk....At the moment, I'm feeling pretty lazy... Pasta salad sounds nice, too.  My sister in law makes a refrigerator 
Blue Berry Cream cheese Pie that delicious.  She makes a Graham cracker crust and stuff.  

But we are all staying home most likely.  So, I might make a couple tiny one for the two of us.

 

You all have a great 4th.  But, please, keep the dogs in...

Wordless Wednesday

Tuesday Tails.. What to do if you can't adopt an animal in need.....

All these things help.  All of them. And the more you can do, the more you can help.

For Rats and other Rodents (Hamsters and Mice) or Large birds:
Contact the groups that foster or rescue them.  Unless the Humane Society has told you they can both accept AND find them new homes, don't take them there.  Some ASPCA or USHS facilities aren't equipped to care for or foster these tiny relinquished pets.

 Hope you have a great week.. A Kind one.... no hassles or nasty surprises. 

Sunday Stealing and Saturday 9: All in one this week

I had some sort of brain storm last night and thought it was Friday for part of the day, even THOUGH it was fairly obvious to me at other times of the day it was SATURDAY!  So now tomorrow is Sunday .....Oh Boy!

Shut up + Dance 

Saturday9 

(Want to play along?  Go here) 

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

1) This is about a man who meets the woman who is his destiny on the dance floor. Do you think we each have One Great Love preordained by fate? Or do you think life offers each of us many opportunities for romance?
In my life I've had this experience.  And I think it truly was a star struck, kismet moment.  I've seen too much to think that this happens for most people, but I hope that it happens for your families, and yourself, if you haven't already met The One.

2) Lead singer Nick Petricca says this song is inspired by a true story. He was all keyed up and his girlfriend dragged him onto the dance floor, insisting that dancing would cheer him up. Therefore he considers this song an "anthem to letting go and having fun." Think of the last time you really had fun. Who were you with? What were you doing?
I try to be cheerful most of the time, and keep a sense of the fun when ever interacting with Life.  
I also try, more and more, to live in the moment and enlist in the fun others are having.  

But really, to be honest the last time I had real fun, with a sense of joy abounding, was a few years ago.  And I was with my hubby, and our girls and their mates, and we were eating out for one of their birthdays, and  later shared a cake that can only be bought at one stellar bakery in Santa Cruz. 

3) The dance floor incident that inspired this song took place in Echo Park, an LA neighborhood located near Elysian Park and Chinatown. Tell us about your village or city. Do the neighborhoods have interesting names?
La Jolla likes to call itself "The Village", and pretend it's not part of the City of San Diego, but it really is just another Neighborhood, along with Kensington, Hillcrest, North Park, Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, and Little Italy, to name a few.  There was a push on to call neighborhoods "Villages" but it didn't last.  Of all the neighborhoods, I like, personally, North Park the best.
  
4) Walk the Moon promoted this record by a performance on Good Morning America. Are you enthusiastic and energetic at 7:00 AM? Or do you hit your stride later in the day?
I"m not, and I do...

5) "Shut Up + Dance" is the biggest hit by Walk the Moon. The band members met as at Kenyon, Ohio's oldest private college. Tell us about something that's old and revered where you live. 
The Mission San Deigo de Alcala.

6) Walk the Moon took their name from the Police song, "Walking on the Moon." What's your favorite song by Sting and/or The Police?
This one:  



I love this song....  I've overcome so much in my life that it makes me feel good that there is someone watching my every move and every step.  The un-applicable words just float away.. But the core words stay with me and have from the time I was tiny....I had this sense of being watched over.

7) In 2014, the year this song was popular, Robin Williams took his own life. What's your favorite Robin Williams performance? 

This is very hard to do because I really loved this actor and think he was a great loss.  But I understand, by watching my daughter struggle to live and my sister losing more and more to a grave illness, why he thought he couldn't live with that aggressive form of disease he had.  I think he was thinking of the people around him, I really do.

That being said, I think that "Dead Poet's Society" has to be one ... but there are lots and lots.  He was an EXTREMELY versatile actor. 

8) Also in 2014, the Apple Watch was introduced. Are you wearing a watch as you answer these 9 questions?
No
9) Random question -- You must create a coat of arms for yourself, representing your life and spirit. Which of these items would you place at the center: a heart, a sword, or a pen?
It would be a Heart. 

Here's a song, for, well, just because... I'm in a sort of mood this evening, Saturday, filling in Saturday9 a little late...



I love this song and this singer....

Sunday Stealing: Cricket's Drivel.

You can see the links to other Thieves HERE

Well,  a lot of this is a bunch of Drivel and whining but you should be used to that from me by now....

1. When was the last time you went to the doctor? Do you like your doctor?
I went to see my doctor for a follow up for an infection I had.  And yes, I like my doctor.  She's a very compassionate doctor, like the one I had for 20 years.  I see them as sisters in a Calling.   

2. My back is itching, will you scratch it for me?
Absolutely.  Love to.

3. Do you have nice handwriting?
It's still quite nice if I take my time.  A lot of the time I don't ....

4. We are sending you to either New Zealand or Canada, which one do you choose?
Canada, and do I have to come back?  Can I take my family with me?  Will you sell my house and all my belongs?  I want to live in British Columbia by the ocean... please... I want to visit my friend Pina and have a good chin wag.  

In the morning light I see I've misinterpreted this question.  Duh!  You meant vacation... New Zealand... It would be lovely.. and thank you!

5. Do you sing in the shower?
Used to, not any more.  I hardly sing at all.

6. Have you ever been streaking? If so, how far did you streak and did anyone see you?
No.  I missed out on most of the "fun" of the wild ones in the 60's. But I caught the Counter Culture Wave BIG time and most of my new relatives must have thought me weird; in fact I know they did.
I'm still counter culture.  I'll be that until the day I die.

coun·ter·cul·ture

ˈkoun(t)ərˌkəlCHər/

noun

noun: counter-culture

1. a way of life and set of attitudes opposed to or at variance with the prevailing social norm.

   
   

   "the idealists of the 60s counterculture"

I'm one of those idealists of the 60's.  I think Mr. Z is too, but I'm not sure about that.... 😉

7. How soon is too soon for Christmas decorations and music playing in the stores?
I know they are in business and all, and that is the engine that drives EVERYTHING in this country but I don't shop for ANYTHING to do with Christmas until after Thanksgiving Day.

8. If you celebrated Halloween as a kid what was the costume you wore at 5?
I was in Ohio when I was five, with my mom, brother and grandparents.  If we did Halloween at all,  I don't remember what it was.  1947?  There was still food rationing time If I remember rightly. Sugar was still rationed.

9. How many cavities have you had in your life?
Far too many to remember.  

10.  Is there anyone you regret meeting.

Yes, there is one person that I regret meeting, and here is why:

She had an absolutely unruly and un-ridable horse, which only she and a few others could ride.  And that horse threw me, and it broke my back.  My then tiny daughters witnessed the accident. 
I, so that I didn't panic them,  got up, spit out the grit in my mouth, and walked slowly back to our house which was fairly close.  (At that time,we lived in a rural area.)  
The woman said that she had taken him for "a long ride and he should have been tired out!"  "And", she added, "he only bucked a little." 

Well, that horse was one that didn't give any warning before it just threw it's rider.  That's something I gleaned later. 

It took me years to finally SEE the damage done to my back, when the fabulous Scripps doctors took ex-rays.  It had cemented itself together quite nicely, though, as backs will sometimes do.  Yoga and Ballet classes helped it.  But, now, it's giving me hell again in my old age.

  

So.......if I hadn't met this woman, or the horse she cajoled me most vociferously into climbing up on, all that would never have happened.  I would be my full height and not be folding up like an accordion.

Wordless Wednesday:

No more Politics...

I've taken down a post.  I'm just not going to do another political post in my life time.
You all must know what's going on.  You also must all know what you have to do to change things.
I have no measured way to express my political views anymore.  We are in a HUGE crisis.

God Bless America.
Or not.
Gird your loins.....

Republicans, this is your baby.  You did it. At least now, I can be at Peace.  Don't expect me to recant. I won't.


“I would cite you to the Apostle Paul and his clear and wise command in Romans 13, to obey the laws of the government because God has ordained the government for his purposes.” (Sarah Huckabee Sanders defended using religion to justify the policy. “I can say that it is very biblical to enforce the law,” the White House press secretary told reporters that afternoon.) "

Attorney General Jeff Sessions, in a speech in Fort Wayne, Indiana, last week.
NYT

This guy is the Attorney General of OUR country!  

Updated:Sunday Stealing: Runway.. or is that, Runaway? hmmm

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing.

This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

Runway! 

This is from "Today is a Fashion Show and the World is My Runway."

1. Five ways to win your heart
You should be Kind to all creatures, meaning humans or other earthlings.
And also be Generous with your time, and funds, for the less fortunate.

You could bring me a Puppy, baby bird, or a Kitten to care for.
Or you could let me see you comfort those whom you come across who so obviously need it.
And, of course you could offer to share your chocolate. ;o)
 
2. Something you feel strongly about
My Country's Constitution, and the People it Protects. 
 
3. A book you love
And The Ladies of the Club  by Helen Hooven Santmyer.

4. Five pet peeves
Peeves ... hmmm...  I don't like to innumerate these usually, but...
I'm too old to be peevish so it's not easy, you see, to dig them out and then they seem supremely petty!  (not a pun!) But here goes. 

1. Don't use my good scissors for your toenails.  No one actually does that here, but there you are, if you did I would be VERY put out!


2. People who don't pick up poodoo after their dogs.  NOT, mind you, the ones who come back and clean it up because they had forgotten a bag..... but the ones who come by late and at night to let their huge, unleashed Labradors poop right where one has to step to get into the passenger side of the car. 

3.  I'm such a loser I had to Google "pet peeve" for the rest of the pet peeves.
 here's what I found that I thought was "Hilarious".  I know, I know...you hate when people say that.. 

From Huffington Post:

"73. People who send emails longer than three sentences, or one paragraph. Call or explain in person. Who has time to read through all of that?

74. People who complain that they don’t have time to read emails or tweets or know what’s up because they’re “too busy,” implying that you’re a loser with too much spare time. "

Isn't THAT a kick in the head?  Hate that phrase, too, don't you.  Come on. Admit it. 🙄
 
4. Personal trainers who talk non stop about THEIR greatness.
 

From MAX Ott, Arrogant Personal Trainer video

5.People who try so hard to be Hip about how UN Bigoted they are when they clearly ARE Bigots.  
5. What you ate today
Oh Goody!  You picked a very good day to ask this.  Color me almost Angelic!
Breakfast was Oatmeal with cranberries, and a banana, Lunch snack was an apple with cheese and some dark chocolate for a chaser.  Dinner was a half a sandwich with carrots and celery and some of those naughty ruffle potato chips. 

6. How important do you think education is? 

FIVE ALARM RANT ALERT!
It is of paramount importance.  We could do MUCH better at providing funds to educating our youngsters after the first 12 years in this country.  I resent deeply that the Pell grants were eliminated, the money snatched up, and they were not re-instated until quite a bit later.  

It was a scam of high treason if you ask me.  I cannot say anymore without getting politically involved but just look at what Reagan did, vis a vis the new voluntary military and the Pell grants .  
Anyone who thinks that education is not a benefit for the nation and that we have no stake or right to it for our tax dollars, should just look at what happened in other countries that have leaders that also played craps with the funding for higher education. 
Ask the new leaders of Cambodia, or Laos, or I could name a half dozen others.  The article dates to the time that my highly qualified daughter, Elle, with a 4+ GPA, graduated. Unfortunately, she needed college grants to fund her schooling.  She would have had a completely different life trajectory if I'd have been able to get them for her.
 
7. Five people you find attractive
Mr.Z.  He still has that certain.... magic.
George Clooney.. sorry Kwizgiver, you must share. lol
James Garner
Ewan McGregor
Paul Walker


8. What you wore today
Today being Saturday, I am wearing my little ancient Indian cotton dress, and a Wallis Beery over the top of it.  Mine is actually a Wallis Beery.  That shirt's now called a Henley, for all you newbies. 😉
 
9. Something you always think “what if” about
See #6
 
10. Something you’re proud of
Proud? Lemme seeeee...... I'm not having as many nightmares.  I'm also moving a tiny bit more.  You know, being less hermit like.  But being a Hermit is still VERY appealing.  And, I'm making the short fingered gloves, five pair so far.  I'll have a dozen at some point, the end of September.  I can only finish one about every five or six days.  I'm crawling, but I'm moving... 

 
11. Five items you lust after
I'm so old that IF I don't have it, I really don't NEED it, so this is a full on NULL for lusting....
 
12. Five words/phrases that make you laugh
Kerfuffle, "Go all pear shaped", "Eat well.  Exercise. Die anyway."  Waddle, and can't think of anything else.  sorry

I have a little wooden doll with that one phrase written on it. 13. A quote you try to live by
"If Kindness is recognized as your Virtue, you have achieved your purpose completely." 
The Tao de Ching

14. Something you like and dislike about yourself.
The thing that I dislike is that I swallowed other people's bitterness.  The thing that I like is that I grew spiritually whenever I got a smack down, and have finally left the end judgement to Metatron.  

15. A problem that you have had?
 I've never felt like I fitted in intellectually or even spiritually, anywhere I've lived so far, except for the time I've spent in Central Coast.  I'm really going to end up a Hermit in a Housing Tract, if I live that long.  Remember, Dear....You did ask.....
 

Meet Emma, The Welsh Hermit

 For Emma's story, Go HERE  

If you would like to join in the fun or read the rest of the crews Thieving tales, go HERE

Lipgloss application at 55 Miles per.... Mon Dieu! Saturday 9.

Readers: Do you want to join in?  Go HERE   It's fun.

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!

Cat's in the Cradle (1974)

This song was chosen in honor of Father's Day. Hear it here.

 1) This song began as a poem, written by Harry's wife Sandy before the couple even met. Have you ever tried your hand at writing poetry?  Yes, and aside from a little funny Doggerel, and the occasional Haiku, I'm hopelessly bad at it. 

 This photo is from Telegraph.CO.UK

Such Beauty of  Soul, in such a frail human form

 "I can't communicate!"  A line from my favorite modern poet, Sylvia Plath.
 
2) The lyrics include a reference to "The Man in the Moon." The original Mother Goose rhyme ends: "It's time for the children on earth to think about getting to bed." Do you remember what time your childhood bedtime was?  Yes, it was 9PM.

3)  When did you go to bed last night?
Bed at 10:30pm... sleep shortly after 2:46am.  Sleep has been eluding me for a while.  It's getting better, though Instagram gets a lot of attention when I finally throw in the towel and give up on getting to sleep.  Value added Insomnia? 

Minions, what's not to like?

 
4) In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the proclamation that made Father's Day a holiday on the third Sunday in June. Can you name all 45 Presidents? (No, you don't have to list them here.)  Yes, and er.. no sort of now... *looks dreamily off into space*

But, mostly, it's fading, quite True.
Sometimes I get Hayes and Buchanan mixed up,
And Tyler and Taylor,  Mon Dieu!

Now there's just GOT to be a tune in that one....  😉

5) Since Sam's father is particular about his Cole Haan loafers, her Father's Day present to him is always a DSW gift card. Who on your gift list is especially easy to buy for?  My kids.  They are so far away we send them electronic e-gift cards now.  We don't buy presents for anyone else anymore, or each other. Well, unless expensive popcicles count.  And some truffles from See's.  

Seriously Yummy!

6) Sam's father is a voracious reader. So much so that the local librarian knows him on sight and by name. When did you last visit your neighborhood library? Not for awhile,  and that was just when I had to renew my card.  Since the library is on the way to the place that Hubby takes Wolfie walking, Mr. Z picks up my books and returns them.   

And my sister cannot read books anymore, so she and I don't get to the County library either.  We used to Haunt the place every week.

I would have linked it but the ads would drive you MADD!

7) Back when Sam was in high school, her father gave her driving lessons. Do you consider yourself a good driver?  Yes, and I've driven since I was 13 or so.  I'm old, you see, before The NEW Draconian LAWS were passed!  
And, semi rural kids got away with it back then.  Besides I learned to drive in the San Gabriel Riverbed.  I think all my cousins learned there, too, and half the rest of the kids in that area.  We made quite a sand storm in that river on the weekends.  Whoot!  
I've already lost use of my Bike Wheels.   I hope to keep the Car Wheels in my Mobility stable a little longer....

SOURCE

Now kids learn the finer points of driving at the stadium parking lots.  This is all important to be able to put on lip gloss at a safe 55mph. 

8) He is a stickler about car maintenance and reminds Sam to check her car's air filter regularly, because a dirty air filter can reduce mileage. Share your own car maintenance tip.
Modern cars monitor the tire pressure, but they don't keep track of the tread.  That's the driver's job, and speaking of tires, remember to get them rotated when the schedule rolls up.
 
9) Whenever he fills up the car, Sam's father also stocks up on his favorite candy: LifeSavers. So Sam is celebrating Father's Day by giving everyone a roll. Would you prefer Wild Cherry, Butter Rum, Winter Green or Peppermint?   Yes, please.. Wintergreen, but really, I like them all.

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!

Tuesday Tails... Carlita en la Calle....

If you think there is not enough kindness in the world, start with you.. Yes, You...

you can do a lot more than you think and it doesn't cost a lot.

Rescue an animal, and love it.  Just love it. 



What happens is miraculous!

“The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” ♥ Mahatma Gandhi

I wish you Peace, and Light, and Happiness.  Take care my friends.  See you at the weekend....

Julian Beever's Giant snail.. for CountryDew....

Here's the page that shows how it was drawn.  This guy is fantastic!

Look at all of his stuff.  It will blow you away!

Sunday Stealing: Dead Blogs and such....Bloggone....

June 10th, 2018

Bloggone!

Hi! 
I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . 
Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!
I got this list from AA's blog, which no longer exists, unfortunately.

1. What brand & flavor of toothpaste do you use?
Jason, and it's Mint.

2. What is your earliest memory?
Cutting my fingers on some razor blades in my Dad's luggage when I was 2 years old.
 
3. Hot Dogs or Hamburgers? 
I liked both, actually, when I did eat them, which Now is, like, never...
 
4. If you could bring any one famous person back to life, who would it be?
The first Mrs. Albert Einstein.  She was a bloody genius.
 
5. What is one thing we would always find in your fridge... what one thing would we never find?
There's always some Ice water.  And the thing that you'd never find in my fridge is Milk. No one in the family drinks it.
 
6. Did you have to go and look for the answer of #1?
Yes.  I had it wrong... so, I changed it.
 
7. Why don't watermelons grow on trees?
Because they grow on vines.  And, Sadly so, there are no watermelon vine trees, only "weeping" trees..  

Perhaps in the future, watermelons just might grow on trees but frankly, I would rather have gold coins grow on trees.  Or even diamonds.  I could hide several  trees in the basement, growing them hydroponically, and then could hand the gold and diamonds out on the streets or somewhere.  Gold and diamonds are not that scarce.  Not in reality. 

Anything that's wrong in my life, is my own fault.

 
8. What is something that you own that you should probably just throw in the trash, but you never will? 
Okay....  I'm storing Styrofoam until I can either use it in a craft or an art piece, or responsibly re-cycle it in another way.  Is that useless enough?  I'll never pitch it into the trash because, well, it's Styrofoam!

I have so little of it that I can easily use it to make Christmas package garlands, along with the Styrofoam bow ties I've saved.  
An Aside: At a show one year, and in a fit of madness, a buyer bought the only such garland I've ever made.  It wasn't even for sale!  I named my price! lol.. Unforgettable experience.
 
9. I push you into a room and lock the door. I leave you there for 6 hours. The walls are chalkboards and in the middle of the room there is a box of colored chalk. What will be written/drawn on the walls when I let you out? 
Since this is fantasy, because I know you'd never do anything like that, I'll play......Firstly, I'd draw myself an Earth friendly solar paneled home, A big river,  and some very extensive gardens.  Then I'd disappear into my new space, never to be seen again in this world. It would be up to you to explain what happened to me, while I was your captive.
 
10. When was the last time you changed the oil on your car? 
Today, well yesterday ... I'm answering this on Saturday
 
11. In your extended family, who has been married the longest?
Mr. Z and I.  We are the only siblings to not have gone through the divorce and remarrying circus.
 
12. Name one thing that is so normal to you now that someone who was your age 50 years ago would think was abnormal. 
Endangered African animals.  
 
13. Have you ever wanted someone or something so bad that it hurt?
Oh, God yes.  I wanted so badly to go see my daughter and hold her hands, but I knew that, with this memory of mine, I would never be able to remember her the last time I saw her alive, with Autumn's golden afternoon sun pouring down onto her lovely face and eyes.  So I just didn't go do it.  I hope that I made the right decision.  I won't probably talk very much about this in the future, but that's my tale.
 
14. What do you dip your french fries in? 
I don't dip them.  They are either crispy and edible or they are not, and I don't.

15. What was the last picture that you took? 

A bouquet of Market flowers that Mr.Z brought home

To my Dear Readers:  if you'd like to read other "Thieves Tales", go HERE  and scroll down for the Linkie  Also, my fellow Thieves, I will be around as soon as I'm sane and able, to read and comment on your blogs.....


Cheers for all us Thieves!

Saturday9 Ronnie Milsap.... Sounds like a stalker to 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!
If you'd like to play along, go HERE  for the Linkie...

Saturday 9: (There's) No Gettin' Over Me (1981)

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

1) Ronnie Milsap sings about how worrisome it can be when you realize you forgot to pay a bill. It's happened to all of us, hasn't it? Tell about about a time you accidentally missed a payment.
This is weird.  I was just thinking about this last night.  We once forgot to make a payment to the nice man from whom we bought the RV.  He was very kind, and called us saying that he thought it had been lost in the mail because we were always so prompt.  

 
2) He also references a dream that keeps him awake. Do you have any recurring dreams?
No.  At least not any that I remember. 

Today, I'm writing this on Friday, is  our daughter's 54th birthday.  I wish I could have more dreams about her but I don't.  The last one was a few weeks ago.  She wanted to use my computer, and I smiled and nodded.  She then sat down but wouldn't use it until I left the room.  Life is so strange, isn't it?
 
3) He sings about the face you see in the crowd. Tell us about someone you see regularly, but don't really know.
There are a lot of people I see regularly but don't really know.  They always surprise me.  I guess, in some cases, shock would be a better word. Hmmm?  This photo has nothing to do with the question, but I find it absolutely hilarious. 

The beloved Mr. Bean!

 
4) He mentions the book that you just can't put down. What's the last book that you finished?
Mindfulness...Finding Peace in a Frantic World

5) Ronnie Milsap is a big fan of new technology, and believes the advancements make both his professional and personal lives easier. What about you? Do you embrace new technology? Or do you long for the good old days, when we weren't so connected to personal devices?
I'm not at all a fan of big information gathering sites that seem to be user friendly and claim that they take good care of your information.  Don't believe it.  So, yes, to answer your question.  I think we are too connected.  A few days ago I watched another well respected Documentary on Internet security.  Bad Robots!
 
6) As a child, Ronnie used to surreptitiously listen to late night radio, especially gospel broadcasts. When you were a kid, what rule did you break again and again?
My brother and I used to sneaky some of our mother's cigarettes and smoke them way out by the swing set between the Horse pasture and the garage.  We did this in the dark of night.  I wonder if my bro remembers this?
 
7) Country star Blake Shelton says Ronnie Milsap was a big influence on his music. Do you watch Blake on The Voice?
I've never watched that show.  Sorry.. just didn't have an interest in it.  I do like the YouTubes that people put up about singers catching huge crowds off guard with their phenomenal voices.
 
8) In May, Ronnie appeared at the Choctaw Casino in Grant, OK. Do you enjoy games of chance?
Happily, I don't get a rush from anything but binge watching "The MidWives", "Father Brown", and other dramas.   So, no.  I've seen what gambling does to families.  It's just not pretty.  It's a compulsive behavior that people are probably born inclined to, and it's a shame.
 
9) Random question -- When did you last "do it yourself" and repair something around the house or yard?  
I've done a lot of that stuff over the 50 or more years I've had a home of my own, but nothing lately.....I'm just not that friskie anymore.

However, I still repair/rewire lamps and repair or refinish furniture from time to time.  The white Wicker Chair in blog photos is one thing.  

When we had lived here for awhile, I built a three foot stone wall from stones given to me by a neighbor who didn't want them.  My daughter and I built a raised bed for the roses on the other side of the house.  We went all over the place collecting huge cobbles from building sites, etc.  Mr. Z and I  later added big stones from our travels.

HORSIE!

....hmmm...... 
 Probably the thing I'm most amazed about was actually fixing  the special HIGH/LO burner on the kitchen range.  It was old enough that a new part was not available, so I made a new one by crafting it with a piece of brass. I used the old part for a template, and my jewelry making  tools to form it.  That was in 1975.  It was dead easy....  

 Did you know:

There is a Phobia about tools.  HERE is the link...  I'm so glad I don't have that affliction, either.  Whew!

Music Monday: Suite Judy Blue Eyes, Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young...

Sunday Stealing: The "Friday Five", or, more popularly, "Why the Universe should come kick your butt".

From Friday Five

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

Bev snuck a few questions from the Friday Five meme

Readers, If you would like to play along or just see other entries, got HERE

1. Is there a smell that will immediately sicken you? 
Other than black eyed peas?  Let's see.....The smell of smoke, on the wind.  If I don't know a logical reason for it to be there, it makes me go on red alert and push the panic button. Sickens me...  We were camping in the mountains, and were evacuated from the Cedar's Fire; and the first indicator was smoke on the wind.

2. When you want quiet, where do you go?
I keep, and live in, a very quiet household.  I'm lucky.  I like lively things but mostly I want it quiet.  Once, out in the desert, it was extremely quiet.  Then after a time a stupid jetliner went over, and though it was very high, it broke the quiet.  I mean we were WAY out in the back of beyond.  

3. Do you need/prefer total darkness when you sleep?
I don't think I've ever had that, so no.  The television can be blaring away with one of my favorite Mystery shows, and I can just nod off.  So, No...

4. What is your least favorite taste?
Besides Black eyed peas?  That would be Whiskey.  The taste is dreadful.  I do like it in Harvey Walbanger cakes though.

5. How heavily do you rely upon your sense of touch?
Quite heavily.  It helps me navigate in the dark, helps me find things at the back of drawers, and it helps me work with things behind my back like buttons - well, that's in front, too.  I go over Wolfie's body looking for anything strange in his fur or under his skin... I feel for hot spots on him.  I use my sense of touch as much as my sense of smell.   I'd bet everyone does.

6. Do you mostly prepare your meals at home or do you eat out more?
Mostly at home.  

7. Is there a time of day when you are more likely to buy food already prepared?
At dinnertime.

8. What is your average weekly grocery bill (for how many people)? What is your total restaurant/fast food bill for an average week?
I don't do the shopping anymore so I haven't a clue.

9. What is your favorite meal to prepare at home?
I like to make mug Mac N Cheese, and a few other little things.  Mostly I don't do the cooking anymore.  I can still cook but so can Mr. Z.  He likes it, mostly.... I like to make and to eat, Fried Rice ala Joyce Chen.  Yum!

10. What is your favorite meal to order in a restaurant?
Angel Hair pasta with chicken and vegetables.  I get that all the time when we go out for a rare meal out.  I used to like Scampi.  From Zolezzi's.  But, alas....

11. Do you believe in fate?
Not a damn bit.  Even with Karma working it's way through, Life is still a crap shoot.  If you get through it without violence or disease striking you dead too young, you eventually die anyway.  I say, Merde to Fate!

12. If Karma was to visit you now, would it be kind or kick you in the butt?
There's really no way to tell what Karma is going to do to you, because Karma is not just from one life, it's from many.  Frankly, Christians had best heed what Christ said about Living by the Sword, too.  

13. Do you believe you have lived another life previous to this one?
Yes, many lives actually, and I must have been one very bad-ass person in the last one.  I feel pummeled by bad Karma, which has nothing to do with that wimp, Fate.  Fate can be defeated, Karma cannot.  Karma's  the entire UNIVERSE paying you back.

14. What do you believe in with an unshakable resolve?
I believe that Christ was who he said he was.  I don't believe all the Church clap trap, but I believe in this person as a living savior.  Nothing can ever change my mind on this. Nothing.

15. What one factor influences your life the most?

I just pontificated on it in 11,12,13 and 14. That would be the firm believe in my Leadings, this is a Quaker thing.  Nothing has changed my mind about where I've been lead and about the veracity of this Leading.  Christ is the center of my entire soul.  Not as the world gives him, but as he does.

Saturday9: Perry Como: It's Impossible. Plus, (Language alert. hahaha.) Tremors clip...

Thank you Gal!  I love Perry Como.  

Other Peeps:  If you want to join in (or read other entries) go here and scroll to the Linkie.

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it HERE

1) In this song, Mr. Como maintains it's impossible to ask a baby not to cry. When did you most recently hold a baby? Did you ask him or her not to cry?  
I haven't held a baby for about 20 years.  My niece's daughter was the last baby I held.  My niece turns 50 today.  

Happy Birthday Darling Girl!

Back to babies: They have to cry to exercise their new, tiny lungs, so, if they have this little "physical fitness" thing going, you are not going to be able to make them stop.

2) Perry Como was known for his casual, easy going style. Therefore people were surprised to learn that he could lose his temper. His long-time musical director reported that bad drivers really got under Perry's skin. What is one of your pet peeves?
Oh, well, I'd say you should just read the side bar and pick out any peevish thing over there that you like.  

3) Though Perry Como was born in Pennsylvania, he didn't speak English until he began grade school. His parents were Italian immigrants and the family only spoke Italian at home. Do you know any words/phrases in Italian?
Yes, I do.  I understand and read some Italian but, of course, I can't write or speak it.  PsychoDad and my paternal uncles spoke Italian because they'd all been to Italy during WWII and because they already knew Spanish.  The two languages are not identical but they are close enough....

4) He met Roselle, the girl he would marry, when they were both still in high school. Tell us about a high school classmate you were crazy about back in the day.
A kid called Dale.  From grade school on through two years of high school, he was the guy.  I admired him from afar but really, I think he thought I was beneath him. School chums we were not. 

5) When he was just 14, his father's ill health made it essential that Perry begin working after school to help support his family. He apprenticed to a barber but was so short, he had to stand on a box when he cut hair. Again, going back to school, were you taller than your classmates? Shorter? Or were you the average height for a kid your age?
Average height compared to all my friends.

6) While taping his annual holiday special in 1971, he fell from a platform and broke his knee. He had to wear a cast and endure 8 months of rehab. Have you ever broken a bone?  
Indeed.  I broke well more than 8 of them, in my hand and wrist, plus the upper part of my radius.  The surgeon who put it all back together was a ministering angel.  I had some sort of mental event because I felt hostile from some reaction to the anesthetic, and he and his staff handled it (no pun intended) like Angels.  The PT who worked with me was an absolute crack up, too!  

7) During the decades when he was a recording and television star, Perry Como was also an avid golfer. He was so popular that many of the best pro golfers of the day -- Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, etc. -- were happy to play with him. It's estimated that it takes about 4 hours to play 18 holes of golf. What celebrity would you most like to hang around with for four hours?
Miss Minnie Pearl.  We'd sing a bit, she'd talk a lot, and we'd drink tea, and eat a lot of cookies.



8) After he retired, Perry's passion switched from golf to fishing in the waters near Palm Beach, Florida. His catch of the day often ended up as his family's dinner. What's for dinner at your house tonight?
Pizza!  And we are going to watch a silly movie of some sort.  Maybe one of the "Tremors" movies.  That series is a total GAS!  



9) Random question -- They say "birds of a feather, flock together." But that's not always true. Can you think of an area where you are out of step with most of your friends/family?
Since Family is a flock you are born or marry into, I'll just say that I'm a Cuckoo that was left in the nest, and that when I wed, it didn't look good for a long time there either.  I'm a country girl.
Friends?  As long as they put up with me, I put up with them.  But I hold them dear in my heart forever and ever.