Wednesday Hodgepodge

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Let's compare this May to last May. What's changed? What remains very much the same? 

Well, I don't remember anything specific about last May beyond being happy to have survived another winter and planning my first summer vacation in 6+ years. I'm currently planning a trip for September to scatter Beast's ashes and I'm very glad to have survived this most recent winter. It was a rough one, emotionally, not weather-wise. 

2. What's something you may do this month? 

I have an appointment for a follow-up EKG later on, my brother's coming for a visit around that time, and Sparky and I are meeting Larry the Lawyer next week to start getting this estate stuff figured out. While Del is here, we'll probably go try to visit my nephews about an hour northeast of here. Oh, and Mother's Day. I also need to get my new glasses made.

3. Mother's Day is approaching (in the US of A)...in what way(s) are you like your mother? 

In far too many ways, which was problematic when I was a kid. Luckily, I figured this out fairly young and came to terms with it years ago. We are both stubborn, prone to arguing, with a lot of suppressed anger. I like to think these days that I've mellowed. I know she did, but it took several strokes which I'd prefer to skip if possible.

4. Did you have a favorite book as a child? What was it and why was it a favorite. 

I read and reread the Little House books like my personal Bible. I also loved Encyclopedia Brown. My favorite early childhood book was shaped like a barn and had a half dozen mini-books inside about the animals that live in barns, all with covers shaped like stall or pen doors. It would be weird to see that again.

5. Are you more of a tortoise or a hare? Explain. 

These days I'm full-tilt tortoise physically. Emotionally, I'm still pretty much haring around though.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I had raccoons, or maybe baby skunks, on my porch roof this morning around 2:30 a.m. They woke me up banging around playing about 4 feet from my head. I eventually opened a window and one of them came over, spotted me, froze, and then I saw that one and one other scootle past the window and back down the tree they climbed to get up there. I wasn't mad, but I also wanted to go back to sleep. 

Saturday 9

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Here Comes Peter Cottontail (from the archives)

1) Which do you prefer: colored hard-boiled eggs, chocolate marshmallow eggs, or plastic eggs with coins inside?

I'd like some of that sweet cash right now. I don't love marshmallow candies.

2) What's your favorite color of Peeps (yellow, purple, or pink)?

See above re marshmallow candies. I have, now, at least tried one, and it was as expected: far too sweet and icky.

3) All this talk of sweets is making Sam hungry. What's for lunch?

I think I had a couple of pretzel sticks to tide me over for the big meal tonight.

4) This song was introduced by country singer Gene Autry and it's still a favorite. Please share some of the lyrics. (And you're on your own; Sam didn't include a link to the song this week.)

This is from memory: "Here comes Peter Cottontail/Hopping down the bunny trail..."

5) Gene Autry was so popular that a town in Oklahoma named itself for him. Have you ever been to Oklahoma?

I have, indeed driven through OK. My main memory is a large lake and the multitudes of signs telling us not to "drive into smoke."

6) He and his horse Champion also had a TV show. Can you name another famous horse?

Seabiscuit. 

7) Gene Autry also recorded "Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer," and it was, of course, wildly popular, too. Who is your favorite recording artist?

This changes with the wind. I really like Pink. I love Melissa Etheridge. I like Corinne Bailey Rae. Nina Simone is divine.

8) In 1950, the year Autry recorded this song, Diner's Club issued the first credit card. Think of the last thing you purchased. Did you use cash, a credit card, a debit card, an e-wallet service (Visa Checkout, Paypal, Google Pay, Apple Pay ...) or a check?

I can't remember. I think the last thing I paid for was some prescriptions and they have my credit card (VISA fwiw) on file to use.

9) Easter is recognized as the start of the spring season. What are you looking forward to this spring?

As always this time of year, I'm just glad to have survived the winter. I had to have extra meds on board this year. And this spring has been just a huge bitch so far. Next year during Lent is going to be all the Bad Memories of the stuff happening this year.

Saturday 9

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Feels like the First Time (1977) 

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 
Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2021! 

1) Look up from your screen. What's the first thing you see? 

My eyes naturally drift to the H-D Regulator clock on the wall next to the fireplace, straight ahead of me.

2) Looking back on 2020, what surprised you? 

People. They full of surprises, primarily negative ones. Based on my day at work today, it seems to be carrying over into the new year so far.

3) Have you made any resolutions for 2021? 

I don't make resolutions. Having said that, I'm trying to get back to posting a quote on Facebook every day, whatever strikes my fancy--sometimes serious, sometimes completely stupid.

4) In Italy, it's said that if you wear red underwear on New Year's Eve, you'll have good luck all year around. Do you have a lucky charm? 

It's not red underwear, I promise you that! I don't really have a lucky charm, but I do have some jewelry and a few articles of clothing that make me feel more confident in my skin somehow.

5) In Spain, some New Year's Eve revelers believe that, at the stroke of midnight, you should eat exactly 12 grapes, one at a time and one right after the other, to bring you luck for the next twelve months. Did you have anything special on your New Year's Eve menu? 

We normally have fondue for dinner, but since I was here alone I wasn't going to do all that prep for me. Grapes at midnight sounds like a good idea, though!

6) In this week's featured song, Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm lets us know that he'd sail across a stormy sea to reach his true love. How is the weather where you are today? Are you kicking off 2021 under calm skies, or is it stormy? 

Overcast and gloomy (and now, dark) but not terribly cold and no precipitation.

7) In the 1990s, Gramm joined forces with Billy Joel in a series of concerts to preserve the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Do you have a favorite Billy Joel song?

My absolute favorite pop song is "I've Loved These Days." It's been a constant reminder not to take the good stuff for granted from the first time I heard in when I was a ?preteen? I think.

8) In 1977, when this song was popular, Star Wars was breaking all box office records. The Spy Who Loved Me, a James Bond movie, was also a hit. If you were going to binge on one of these film series, would you choose Star Wars or Bond? 

I've seen all the SW movies--and never want to see them again-- and I have no interest whatsoever in Bond. I'll just read a book instead, thanks.

9) Random question: Would you rather have nothing but green lights for all of 2021, or never have to stand in line for anything all year?

I hate standing in lines! So much. Red lights don't bother me--most of the time I don't really want to be where I'm headed in all the much of a hurry. 

Sunday Stealing x2

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Tea and Q&A

1. What is your middle name and what is a middle name you'd rather have instead? Why?

My middle name is biblical. It's fine, old-fashioned (obviously) but not horrible or weird. It's a little hard to say with my first name--too many repetitive sounds. The only name I'd change it for is my mom's middle name, which was Josephine.

2. How would you spend $1MM (you have to spend every penny!)

I'd pay off the mortgage. I'd pay Beast's bill at the nursing home for the next few years. I'd buy Sparky and me new cars. And I'd hire someone to come over EVERY DAMN DAY to help me sort through the shit in my house.

3. Yellow light - speed up or slow down??

I usually slow down. This is the only thing I got dinged on in my one-and-only road test; I sped up on a "stale green light."

4. What was the last movie you saw and what did you like/dislike about it?

The last movie I saw was the latest Star Wars thing. I'd like to go see Black Panther in the theater one of these days, soon.

5. If a movie was made about you, who would portray you in that movie?

I'd love Sandra Bullock to portray me. But Julia Roberts ' laugh is closer to mine.

6. What is the strangest thing you've eaten and what did it taste like?

There are some things I ate in foreign countries that I didn't inquire all that deeply about.

7. What color is your bathroom?

Builder white. At least the master bath is. The others have been painted; the other full bath is pale yellow, I think, and the powder room is pale green.

8. If you could vacation anywhere in the world RIGHT NOW, where would it be and why?

Somewhere warm. Greece? The Caribbean? I'm not all that fussy.

9. What is your least favorite thing to cook?

Anything complicated and fussy.

10. What is the dish you make that your family rolls their eyes at?

I have an absolutely AWFUL time with chicken; it virtually never gets cooked through the first time out of the oven.

11. What are three things on your bucket list?

I don't have a bucket list. I'd like to travel across the whole US in an RV, and I'd like to live in England for an extended period of time, and I'd like to have grandchildren someday.

12. How many skeins of yarn do you think you are currently hoarding?

Good yarn? None. I probably have about 3 skeins of dirt-cheap yarn around somewhere though.

13. Today is my birthday. What virtual gift are you going to give me?

The gift of my absence.

14. What is your favorite candy?

Twizzlers, Smarties, Skittles....not so much chocolate.

15. What is your favorite time of the day and why?

I love early mornings on days I don't have a shit-ton of work to do.

16. If you could call in sick for a day, what would you do with the time?

Sleep. Fill out forms. Visit Beast. Catch up.

17. How much did your last crafting run cost you?

Less than $15. My "crafting" is embroidery, so I just got a couple of floss packs.

18. Can you play a musical instrument and if so, which one?

I can figure out the tune on a piano with sheet music. I used to be able to play flute. And I play bells at church once in awhile.

19. What is your least favorite craft that you still do? Why?

If I'm not enjoying it, why the hell would I do it?

20. If you could have any job for just one day, what would it be and what would you do?

I'd love to be Queen of the World for one day and fire about 80% of the politicians in the world.

From Smellyann

1. What is more difficult for you, looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when they are telling you how they feel.

I find it hard to look in people's eyes, period. It's just disturbing, unless I know you really really well, and I'm struggling to hear your voice.

2. Think of the last time you were REALLY angry. WHY were you angry? Do you still feel the same way?

I almost drove off the road in October when my sister said ... some things. I briefly lost my vision at 70 mph I was so gobsmacked. And yes, I'm still fucking pissed off at her.

3. You are on a flight from Honolulu to Chicago non-stop. There is a fire in the back of the plane. You have enough time to make one phone call. Who do you call? What do you tell them?

I'm calling Sparky. Beast no longer has access to a phone he can answer. And I'd apologize for dumping everything onto Sparky, still in a state of flux and confusion.

4. You are at the doctor’s office and she has just informed you that you have approximately one month to live. Do you tell anyone/everyone you are going to die? What do you do with your remaining days? Would you be afraid?

I would tell Sparky. I would probably tell my boss. And perhaps a couple of other people. And I'd bust my ass to get All The Things done so Sparky can figure it out without me.

5. You can have one of the following two things. Which do you choose? Why? Love and Trust.

Trust, because it's hard when you've gotten screwed to trust again.

6. You are walking down the street on your way to work. There is a dog drowning in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss has told you that if you are late just one more time you are fired. Do you take the time to save the dog’s life? Why? Why not?

I'm saving the dog's life. Fuck my boss if he can't figure out priorities like this. HOWEVER: I would never get to the point of being on that thin of a line at work, either. Responsibility is important.

7. Would you rather be hurt by the one you trust the most or the one you love the most?

Well, I've been destroyed by both. I think I'd rather have broken trust overall, but it's a pretty tight race and I'd rather not do either.

8. Your best friend confesses that he/she has feelings for you more than just friendship. He/she is falling in love with you. What do you (or did you) say?

"Forget it. I'm a mess right now and in no position to deal with more bullshit. Back off!" and then I'd disentangle myself from them because they aren't a good friend if they're fucking me up right now with this.

9. Think of the last person you know who died. You have the chance to give them 1 hour more of life back, but you have to give up one year of yours. Do you do it? Why? Or Why not?

Nope. Because I deserve my time and the person I'm thinking off is probably better off now.

10. Are you the kind of friend that you would want to have as a friend?

Maybe. I hope so. I try, but often fail, to be the friend I'd want to have.

11. Does love = sex?

Not usually.

12. Your boss tells your co-worker that they have to let them go because of work shortage, and they are the newest employee. You have been there much longer. Your co-worker has a family to support and no other means of income. Do you go to your boss and offer to leave the company? Why or Why not.

Nope. I too have a family to support and no other means of income.

13. When was the last time you told someone HONESTLY how you felt regardless of how difficult it was for you to say? What did you have to tell the person?

I don't pussy-foot around anymore. I tell people the truth, at least as much of it as I think they can deal with. I had to have the discussion with Beast today about why I'm not bringing him home. This comes up at least weekly. He was really angry and frustrated with me when I left tonight. My brother-in-law last week asked me quietly if he should hide any empty booze containers he found so Sparky wouldn't see them; no, there'll be none of that in this house! Never, ever again!

14. What would be (or what was) harder for you to tell a member of the opposite/same sex – you love them or that you do not love them back.

It's hard to tell someone that my feelings don't seem to be the same level of intensity as theirs, whichever direction. I find it shatteringly hard to say, "I don't really like you 'that way', sorry." But it's also painful to bust out with an "I Love You" and get slammed, but I guess I'd still rather do that. Most people are nice and don't make it into a worse situation than it absolutely has to be.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
Bud's Last Stand of 2016

1. Your main fandom of the year:

I geeked out a lot over "Criminal Minds" and the NCIS shows. This is not new, though.

2. Your favorite Film this year:

I really enjoyed Hail, Caesar! though it didn't get wonderful reviews, and it was terminally silly.

3. Your favorite Book read this year:

The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker.

4. Your favorite Album or Song this year:

Honestly, I can't think of a single outstanding song from 2016. There were some good ones, but nothing like "Happy" or "Uptown Funk."

5. Your favorite meme site of the year:

Uh. Nope. Not going there. Can't win. I love you all.

6. Your Fandom that you haven't tried Yet, but want to:

I don't even....

7. Your best new Fandom Discovery of the Year:

Richard III.

8. Your biggest Fandom Disappointment of the Year:

Shemar Moore leaving "Criminal Minds"--and then Thomas Gibson blowing up his career and getting fired from the show.

9. Your TV Boyfriend of the year:

Derek Morgan (I wish!) or good ol' Jethro Gibbs. I also have a mini-crush on Wayne Brady.

10. Your TV Girlfriend of the year:

My heart belongs to Emily Prentiss and Olivia Benson. Sonja Percy is creeping up to the top of late.

11. Your most Missed Old Fandom:

Hmm. I don't think I missed anything much, or perhaps that just means I missed it completely.

12. Your Biggest Anticipations of the New Year:

I can't think of anything. Here's a snapshot: prior to our viewing of Rogue One we were subjected to 8 (eight!) previews for upcoming movies. There were two that were mildly interesting to me; the only one I remember of those two is the Wonder Woman movie, because ... WONDER WOMAN! I think my interest in pop culture has waned into almost nothing.

13. Your favorite post (of yours) of the year:

Nope, I'm not going back to read them all. I'd be happy to get through a post without any typos or egregious stupidity.

14.Your favorite new blog (to you) of the year:

I'm hopeless at this stuff: I don't want to pick one and NOT pick someone else.

15.Your favorite new website of the year:

The National Archives site, where I spent a lot of time translating written records into digital format in my free time.

16. Your favorite news story of the year:

This was not a year during which I enjoyed the news very much. At all.

17. Your favorite actor of the year:

Eddie Redmayne is an interesting guy.

18. Your favorite drama TV show of the year:

Probably NCIS:NO.

19. Your favorite comedy TV Show this year:

I don't watch a lot of comedies these days. So it's probably a toss-up between "Whose Line Is It?" and "SNL."

20. Your favorite cartoon of the year:

I really don't do cartoons. Beast throws the new Bloom County strips at me regularly, but I don't find it funny except in the absurdist frame; mostly it's just depressing because it's true. And I don't watch cartoons on TV or movies at all.

Sunday Stealing:

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The Xmas Questions of 2016

1. Do you send out Xmas cards and if so how many do you send?

Nope. We stopped that madness about 6 years ago, give or take. I mean, Facebook keeps us current with most people and we no longer have Sparky to talk about in the Official Letter. We're very boring.

2. Do you write and send a holiday letter to describe your year?

Oops, see above. I came to hate writing that letter every year!

3. What do you think of photo cards?

I love them if they are family photos. I think outside of family and very close friends, it's very easy to fall into pretentiousness or out-and-out silliness.

4. How about the tree thing – do you have one every year? Do you prefer a real or artificial?

We try to get the tree up every year. Last year it was just barely up before Christmas. This year it went up on Tuesday and Wednesday (I think) last week. Last year, the tree was still up in February for a few days. This year it's coming down over this coming weekend. Next year, I think we're going to have to suck it up and put both trees up. We have too many ornaments!!
I'd prefer real, in some respects, but I have allergies. And they drop so many needles!

5. Describe your typical tree (size, decorations, type). If you don’t have a tree, do you decorate and if so, tell us about it. (If you don’t decorate make up a story here…)

The current fake tree is only about 7 feet tall, but it's pre-lit and much easier to put together than the older fake tree, which is larger (maybe 8" tall? definitely wider, too). We've had that one for probably close to 20 years and it's fine, but such a pain. There is no "theme" to our tree, but I have a growing collection of bird ornaments of different varieties, and we get at least 4-5 new Hallmark ornaments every year for Star Trek (though this year, somehow Alien and a couple of Star Wars, and Caddyshack). We also have a fair number of Packers-related stuff on the tree. Some ornaments from my childhood--apparently, Beast's family didn't save any of theirs, which is weird--and all of the ones Sparky has collected since he was a baby. He easily will have enough to decorate a respectably-sized tree whenever he gets around to wanting to do that sort of thing. We also always put out the creche and few other Christmas things--churches, angels, Santas, some stuffed animals--and a good-sized box of books, tapes, CD's and other Christmas kitsch.

6. Do you hang up stockings? Whose names are on them (and relationships)?

We have three stockings, and they do not have names on them. Sparky's is blue with a bunch of appliqued crap all over it; mine is quilted white sateen with embroidered snowflakes, and Beast's is red cotton-wool with some fake fur around the top.

7. Your favorite Xmas movie(s) are:

I don't really "do" holiday movies. I mean I like A Christmas Story and Scrooged but I don't rewatch movies (or TV shows) with a great deal of enjoyment for the most part.

8. Tell us about an Xmas movie you hate.

I'm not at all a fan of the "movie-of-the-year" stuff that floats around this time of year on the Hallmarks, Bravo, E!....etc. etc. channels.

9. What’s [your] favorite Xmas song(s)?

I like the hymns. Especially the ones that aren't as well known. I love "O Holy Night" if it's being sung by someone with a good voice. "Joy to the World" reminds me of my dad. "We Three Kings" reminds me of my mom, as does "The First Noel" (both of which for silly reasons; in fact, from a musical point of view, I could live without the latter song forever and a day). I also like "The 12 Days of Christmas" believe it or not. And "The 12 Pains of Christmas" for that matter.

10. What holiday song makes you want to hurl?

I'm about done with "Winter Wonderland" for the rest of my life. And I've never really cared for "Back Door Santa" at all.

11. What do you prefer for your holiday meal?

Food. I'm really not fussy at all. I prefer not having to cook.

12. When do you open your gifts?

Normally, we open them Christmas morning. We used to open some on the Eve back when MIL and FIL were still sending Sparky the entire Toys R Us catalog every year.

13. Do you buy gifts for your pet?

Sometimes. I didn't get around to getting Pinto anything special this year. That's probably just as well; he's been having some, uhm, lower GI tract issues the last couple of weeks.

14. What's the worst gift you've ever gotten?

Over the years, I've gotten a great deal of crap. I can't think of any ONE that was outstandingly (and unintentionally) bad though. Usually the bad stuff is planned to be bad, as a joke.

15. Do you ever travel for the holiday?

We haven't done so in years. This year we drove an hour to my niece and nephew's house to hang for dinner and play with the kids, and act as a buffer between Alan's (divorced for decades, but still barely speaking) parents.

16. Did you see Santa as a child?

Only at the mall and on TV.

17. Have you ever gone caroling?

I absolutely LOVE caroling! I wish we did it more often. Our church used to do it, but we haven't for years. Probably no one has thought of it.

18. Do you drive around and look at the Xmas lights?

We have done this traditionally after our Christmas Eve feast at the local Chinese place. Once we have killed enough time, we head to late church. This year, the time was all goofed up, so we just ate, churched, and came straight home.

19. Have you ever had a white Christmas?

Almost every year, to be honest. The whitest was 1982. I was home from college and Denver got dumped on big time. I spent Christmas Day in the driveway with my dad shoveling. We were, seriously, out there for a good 6 hours over the course of the day. But the sun was out by then, and it was sort of fun "racing" Dad.

20. Do you know how to ice skate? If yes, when did you skate the last time?

I haven't had ice skates on since I was in high school. I think my church youth group went ice skating a couple of times. I hated it: no ankle strength, no skill, and extreme fear of falling really isn't a recipe for fun.

21. Are we crazy for thinking that the holiday season is WAY too commercial?

It is what it is. It's entirely possible to ignore all that. I did pretty well in that department this year. If only we could turn off the crappy Muzak at the stores, it would be so much easier. I really can't stand buying groceries with those mothertruckin' Chipmunks warbling at 100 decibels.

22. Have you ever worked Xmas eve or Xmas day?

I've worked at least part of Christmas Eve for most of my career. It is not normally a holiday in the library "industry" unless you work in a union shop. This year, it was.

23. What are your Xmas pet peeves?

I hate getting wound up with "too much to do" and feeling overwhelmed. I hate feeling guilty about not doing "everything." However, over the years, Beast and I have agreed that it's totally not worth it to kill ourselves, so we try really hard not to turn December into a hurricane of buying, decorating and panicking. And we enjoy it just the same, probably more, than people who stay awake nights worrying about getting things "perfect."

24. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?

Family time. Hanging out. The days getting longer!

25. Here's your chance to say something significant to our players. Go for it!

I'm pretty stoked about these signs for our house and yard going into 2017. The local PSN* spread the word and took the orders, and I can't wait for the ground to clear (and thaw a little) so I can jab the one in the ground. One of the best Christmas gifts I've given myself, ever.
May all of you have a hate-free New Year!

*If you have to ask, I'm afraid I can't tell you publicly. :-)

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Back in the Highlights Again

1. What was your highlight in dining for 2016?

   It kind of has to be our first night on the cruise, the Italian restaurant on the boat. Wonderful food, incredible service. Interesting people to watch, too, and our server was (rather weirdly) Indian rather than Italian which was strange only in the pronunciation of the food ultimately.

2. What was your highlight in relationships for 2016?

   Just continuing to find out how many good friends and people are out there to help and support me.

3. What was your highlight in entertainment for 2016?

   Well, we'll probably go see the Star Wars movie next week but aside from that Fantastic Beasts was really good.

4. What was your highlight in self-improvement for 2016?

   Endless meetings, lots of reading. Talking. Listening.

5. What was your highlight in completing something for 2016?

   I seem to have regained my footing at work. Let's just home I can maintain. I had a backslide this week, but I dealt with it differently. So maybe that's improvement.

Saturday 9

(Link in meme-roll)
Cabaret (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Liza Minnelli encourages you to put down "the knitting, the book and the broom." Which of those three were you most recently doing: knitting, reading or housework?

Housework. Today's been chore-day all day until the moment I started this. I'm going to go lie down in a bit. My right leg is killing me. Fookin sciatica! Started yesterday, just in time for me to be trying to cook this week.

2) She sings that we shouldn't allow "some prophet of doom to wipe every smile away?" Do you know anyone who reliably looks at the downside of life?

I used to work with someone who did this. My husband tends this way as well. It's miserable.

3) In 1972, when this recording was popular, so was The Brady Bunch. In the two-part season premiere, The Bradys went to Hawaii. Do you have any warm weather vacation plans this fall/winter?

I do not. Maybe DC in January, but otherwise, just living day-to-day at this point.

4) Though not her uncle, just a friend to both of her parents, Liza always called Frank Sinatra as "Uncle Frank." Is there an older person in your life who isn't a blood relative, but who refer to as "aunt" or "uncle?"

Not anymore, if indeed there ever were. I am an honorary Auntie to several kids, though.

5) Liza collapsed onstage during a Christmas concert in 2007. She says she'd been nauseous before she went on and simply fainted. Sam has never fainted. Have you?

Not quite. I came very close after being dosed with epinephrine in the ER after a major allergic reaction. When I started to leave, I got to the door and had to lean on the wall...I hadn't eaten in 12-15 hours and with all the calories burned with the epinephrine, the room just went sideways on me.

6) People are often surprised when they learn Liza is good friends with Gene Simmons -- the KISS member with the long tongue. Tell us about one of your good friends.

I'm virtually certain NONE of my friends can touch their nose with their tongue!! My college roommate could cross her arms in front of her and then lift them over her head to her back. She could also step through her handcuffed arms back to front and then back. Doubt she does this anymore though.

7) Liza told US Magazine that she loves to eat at Olive Garden. Do you?

Yes. It's a guilty secret that this is my preferred celebration dinner place.

8) She keeps apple juice and yogurt in her refrigerator at all times. Would we find either in your refrigerator right now?

There's some yogurt. I'm not a huge fan of it. Apple juice...well, I don't think so, but maybe I'll get some before Thursday for the kidlets.

9) Random question: Which would be a more frustrating dinner companion -- someone who won't shut up, or someone who won't say a word?

Quiet is nice, but if it's "pointed quiet" (loud silence), it would be better to have a chatterer with you.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Sights Seen

1. What’s the tourist attraction nearest you that most people from other places are aware of?

   Uhm. Nearest is probably either a train museum or a clock museum. Or a lake and resort community. I'm not giving anything else away since I'd like to stay fairly hidden.

2. What’s a tourist attraction you’ve visited that was better than you expected?

   I really loved Little Bighorn Battlefield. I had no expectations for it to be much of anything, but it hit me really hard for some reason. It's the one place in this country that commemorates the original people taking back their land from thieves, even if only for a short time.
   Also, quite honestly, the cities of Irkutsk and St. Petersburg were surprisingly lovely though very different.

3. What’s a tourist attraction you’ve visited that was disappointing?

   I don't think I ever need to go back to Yellowstone. Too many people about 50% of whom are morons.

4. What’s a tourist attraction you’re still hoping to visit?

   The Pyramids of Giza. Closer to home, Cahokia Mounds.

5. Excluding restaurants, what tourist attraction you’ve visited had the best food and the best gift shop?

   The British Museum has good both. I'm kind of drawing a blank on anything in this country unfortunately. OH! Lincoln's home in Salem, IL, has good food for sale (syrup, etc.) in their rather tiny gift shop. Lots of good other stuff too.

Aesthetics??

(Found God-knows-where on the internet...)
rules: tag 20 followers you want to get to know better
so I'm already breaking the rules: if you want to use this, feel free; just link back

Name/nickname:

Cat.

Height:

I used to be about 176 cm but I'm pretty sure I'm shrinking so, let's call it 175 these days.

Hogwarts house:

According to my results a few years ago, I'm Hufflepuff. Which suits me--I don't want to be any of the others.

Favorite color:

Blue

Time:

4:46 p.m.

Last things I Googled:

"[state] license plates gh"

Fictional character you’d like as a sibling:

Laura Ingalls for sure when I was a kid. Will Riker would be a fun brother, no?

Number of blankets I sleep with:

Just the bedspread. That might be changing fairly soon, however.

Favorite band:

I have so many. Let's go with Billy Joel today.

Dream vacation:

Cruise around the world, first class all the way, with an unlimited budget.

When did I make this blog:

May 2004 ... yikes

How many blogs do I follow:

I've got 150+ RSS feeds that range from blogs to newspaper headlines to email lists.

What do I post about:

Here, it's all the memes. I have a few other blogs dedicated to different aspects of my life. This one and the books list get the most play by far.

Do you get asks on a regular basis:

What's an "ask"? Apparently I don't get any!

Aesthetics:

Clean, clutter-free, wood and leather, simplicity.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Mad Hatter's Meme

What’s the meaning or inspiration of your blog’s title?

My first blog was called Sweet Dreams. It wasn't a big stretch that when I created a blog just for memes to make the rhyme thing happen.

What do you consider your biggest strength?

I generally can think clearly in emergencies. My auto-pilot mode is solid.

What do you consider your biggest weakness?

I chatter too much and I'm far too opinionated.

Tell us why we should like your favorite band.

You can like whoever you want. I like a lot of different bands for many different reasons. But U2 is one of those "good band for many reasons" bands.

Who is your favorite model of all-time? Why?

Uhh? That one guy... OK, no really, I don't even.

Does it bother you when people talk about their pets? Why?

Not really. I mean, if they're way too gooshy-smooshy about them, it gets old. But I'm not likely to get irritated at people talking about their kids, so pets are fair game too.

Tell us about your favorite holiday.

I love Thanksgiving. It's really all about family and gratitude and food. I can get behind all of those things! It only lasts one day, there's no ridiculous month-long decor that needs doing. It's just perfect.

What was the last fabulous meal that you ate? Where were you?

I haven't had "fabulous" for awhile, but yesterday's impromptu stop at Applebee's was good. Haven't been there in a very long time. In fact, maybe I'll have the leftovers for lunch.

What’s your lucky number and why?

I pretty much don't believe in lucky numbers. I do return to 3, 8, and 16 often though. Wish I knew why the latter two were involved; I totes get 3.

What are five things you hate?

The smell/taste of liver; mean/catty behavior; selfishness; nails on a chalkboard; endless gray wintry days.

What are five things you love?

The sound of kids unselfconsciously giggling; reading; the smell of cooking food; the taste of sugar; sunny autumn afternoons.

Tell us a secret you can because other than us, who’ll read this anyway?

I really do only watch car races for the wrecks. (OK, it's truck racing this afternoon--same thing)

What is the favorite body feature of yourself?

I like my hands and feet and hair.

Is there a tattoo that you want? If you don’t have one, gun-to-your-head so you have to get one, what would it be?

I'm not much interested in tattoos. If I had to get something, it would probably be my son's initials somewhere bony: ankle or hand.

What do you love about yourself?

I love that I'm tough and stubborn and willing to stick the hard stuff out.

What do you hate about yourself?

I hate that I have a hard time making decisions so often.

Who is someone you miss?

My dad, my sister Ellen, MIL and FIL and Mom. Lately it's been my sister Jean, since I'm going to her son's wedding this week and she often despaired that he would ever have enough sense to make it to adulthood. We are harrrd on our men in my family!

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
French Kissing

1. What’s your favorite kind of French fry?

   Wendy's has this thing right now called Baconator fries. It's no stretch to say that I could live on them for the rest of my life, though I'd certainly die of a heart attack much younger than I otherwise would. But happy! I'd die HAPPY!

2. Where can you get really good French toast?

   If you bring me Texas toast, I will knock your socks off here in my own kitchen. I don't make it very often--and come to think of it I'm not sure I have syrup--but I rock the French Toast-making.

3. What are your feelings about French salad dressing?

   I'm decidedly not a fan. Though I prefer it to raspberry vinaigrette, which is all kinds of wrong. My parents, well, MOM did this thing with cauliflower and French dressing that just....no. That's all. Nope.

4. What’s something you know how to say in French?

   "C'est moi", "Où et les WC?", "Merci", "Pardon", "Arrêtez!!" and all the lyrics to this album (though I've no idea a) if I'm singing them comprehensively, or b) what they mean.
   Oh, I guess I know Frère Jacques too.

5. What French films have you seen?

   Uhm. I'd peg that at or about zero.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Beach Boys' Meme

1. SURFER GIRL : “I have watched you on the shore, standing by the ocean drawer roar, do you love me do you surfer girl.” Were you ever interested in someone (other than a celebrity) who did not return your interest?

Isn't that really pretty much what early adolescence is all about? I had multiple crushes then and in high school--and into college!--on entirely unsuitable guys. It's very girlishly romantic...and pretty pathetic from my perspective now.

2. BE TRUE TO YOUR SCHOOL : “So be true to your school now, just like you would for your girl or guy…” Looking back, how do you feel about your high school days?

I had a blast in high school, when I wasn't having the most miserable time of my life. Academically, I was scaling to the heights. Musically, I was at my peak. Socially, I was getting things figured out. Romantically, I was excluding possibilities maniacally. It was a good time. And it was absolutely awful.

3. FUN FUN FUN : “…and she’ll have fun fun fun till her daddy takes the T-Bird away…” What was the worst punishment you received as a teenager?

I never did much to get in trouble. The worst punishment I remember was lying in bed the night I got in an accident in my mom's car--insert long story--and realizing that my only chance of perhaps not getting destroyed by my parents was confessing before they found the damage in the morning. So I went and stood in their doorway and woke Mom up by saying, "There's something I need to tell you and Dad." "Right now!?" "....yes." So Dad got his hearing aid back on and they came down and heard me out. I had to pay for the replacement body parts that Dad found at the dump and he did all the work (it was pretty much cosmetic, thank God). And I don't remember any yelling or further punishment. Lesson learned: confession is better than discovery.

4. I GET AROUND : “Round round get around, I get around.” Where did you go on your last long trip?

We were in the Southern Caribbean and Puerto Rico in April. In September we're going to a wedding in England. I sound like a freaking jet-setter, but last year's big trip was only about 500 miles from here, and blew up rather spectacularly when Beast ended up in the hospital.

5. HELP ME RHONDA : “You gotta help me Rhonda, help me get her off of my mind.” What do you do to cheer up after a personal tragedy such as a lost job, power outage or broken relationship?

Power outage?? Really? We lose power almost weekly every summer. This is not a tragedy. Plus we have a generator now so if things get dire, we just fire it up like the rest of the neighbors.

For real tragedies, my usual mode is without planning, my diet changes. First I stop eating, then I eat everything that isn't nailed down. And I cry, on and on and endlessly. There's usually a layer of anger (and fear) in there too. And my sleep patterns get all fubar.

6. CALIFORNIA GIRLS : “I wish they all could be California girls. The west coast has the sunshine and the girls there get so tan, I dig a French bikini on Hawaiian island dolls, by a palm tree in the sand.” Where are the best boys found?

The Midwest. And Italy. :)

7. SLOOP JOHN B : “I wanna go home, please let me go home, ya ya. Well this is the worst trip, I’ve ever been on…” What is the worst trip you’ve ever been on?

Our vacations in the past 12 months have not gone to plan in some pretty bad ways. I'm hoping that string of badness breaks on our trip to England. Because if not, I may be done traveling with Beast.

So, either ending up in the ER waiting room for 7 hours and Beast in the hospital for a couple of nights, or arriving in a new-to-me place and not being able to find Beast either in person or by phone/text/IM for almost 3 hours after my plane touched down. Take your pick.

8. WOULDN’T IT BE NICE : “I guess the more we talk about it, it makes it harder just to live without it, but let’s talk about it…” What is your biggest wish?

I hate to sound like a beauty pageant contestant but ... World Peace. Or at least World Sanity.

9. IN MY ROOM : “There’s a place where I can go and tell my secrets to. In my room. In my room.” What is your favorite thing about your own personal room or space in your home/office?

Sleep. Noodle around on the computer. Read. OK, of the three? Sleep.

10. GOD ONLY KNOWS : “You never need to doubt it, I’ll make you so sure about it. God only knows what I feel about you.” When was the last time you told a significant other or close relative that you loved them?

I tell Beast every day. I tell Sparky--especially the last 10 days or so--every time I talk to him (or IM/PM/text). I try to get it out of my mouth with extended family too, but we aren't particularly mushy, so it seems to always sort of shock them when I do say it.

11. GOOD VIBRATIONS : “My baby has good vibrations, she’s giving me excitations…” When do you get good vibrations?

Actually, lately, I've been getting weird nerve things going on in my arms and legs almost daily. Sort of that tingly, tickly, excited/nervous sensation that runs down arms/legs? No clue why. It comes out of nowhere. I'm beginning to wonder if my nervous system is breaking.

In the broader sense, I had a good time at work on Friday. No details, just fun events and silly behavior and everyone meshing together with no bitching.

12. KOKOMO : “We’ll go to Kokomo. We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow. That’s where I wanna go…” What is your favorite warm weather destination?

The mountains. Honestly, I'm not fussed anymore about which mountains, seeing as there are NONE around here, but I crave mountains in the summer: they're cooler, breezier, and nearer the sun.

13. DO IT AGAIN : “Let’s get back together and do it again…” If you could go back in time and gather up your school friends, what would you do again?

Since this can't possibly really happen for several reasons, let's just make it crazy: midday meal at Mr. Gatti's (closed decades ago) and then a field show that we win, then goofing in the hallways with no fear of getting teachers pissed off. In college, it would involve a schlag. :-)

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The Movie Nut's Meme

What was you first movie-going experience without your parents?

I went to see the re-released PG version of Saturday Night Fever with a friend about 6 months after the first one hit the screens. We were in junior high. The whole part on the bridge? Makes no sense when edited for PG-ness. In fact, much of the movie is frankly incoherent in PG. It wasn't till 15 or so years later when I saw the original on TV (fer cryin' out loud!) that I "got" it.

Do you still buy DVDs or Blu Rays (or do you just stream them)?

"Still"? I never bought that many movies of any format. I catalog about 30 a month at the library, though.

What is your guilty pleasure movie? What about it works for you?

I think perhaps that has to be Heathers especially in the years since it was released when blowing up a school because less metaphor and more actuality. It works because teenagers really are exactly as psychotic and messed-up as the kids in the film. And we grown-ups? Not a lot better, are we? Plus, Christian Slater and Winona Ryder!

You have compiled a list of your top 100 movies. Which movies do you like, but would not make the list?

I'm certain I could not come up with 100 movies I've liked enough to have a "top list." So I can't even answer the question.

Which movie(s) do you compulsively watch over and over again? What makes it so great?

I don't do this. BEAST does this, so I have been forced to sit through all the Planet of the Apes movies multiple times, all the Star Wars movies ditto, and many others. Also, a lot of classic Bill Murray comedies. Seriously, I stopped replaying music AND movies endlessly when I realized how much there is out there to listen to and see and what a waste of my time listening to the same album/seeing the same movie over and over is.

Classic(s) you're embarrassed to admit you haven't seen yet?

All of them. Though I'm in no way embarrassed by my lack of knowledge. I would like to see "Casablanca" someday, but that's really the only one.

Do you have any movie posters hanging on your wall? If yes, which ones and why?

I'm 52 years old. The only posters I still own are art posters. And they're framed. And at least one is hanging in my dining room.

Tell us about a movie that you are passionate about.

"Shoah." 9 hours of reminiscence and remonstrance and heartbreak. Everyone should see it. Certainly everyone under age 50 or so.

What is a movie you vow to never watch? Why?

A Clockwork Orange. I tried, once, many years ago, and literally had to leave the house after less than 3 minutes.

Tell us about a movie that literally left you speechless.

I think Thelma and Louise might have done this when I saw it in the theater. Cheering and sobbing, yes. Coherently speaking? Nope.

What’s a movie that you always recommend?

Pretty much any I've mentioned by name--except ...Orange of course--I would recommend. Also, Working Girls but NOT the Melanie Griffith one with a similar title. Go find it in IMDb--it couldn't be less like anything Melanie Griffith has ever been in! Though it bears a great resemblance to some work her daughter recently did.... /snerk

Who is an actor you always watch, no matter how crappy the movie?

"Always" is, perhaps, a bit too strong, but I do like Bill Murray and Tom Hanks.

Who is an actor you don't get the appeal for? Why don’t you like them?

I've never really understood John Cusack, Edward Norton, and that clump of guys. I don't HATE them, but I don't find them very interesting. I loathe Molly Ringwald; something about her (teenaged) face made me want to hurl back in the day.

Who is an actor, living or dead, you'd love to meet? Why do they intrigue you?

It would have been interesting to have known Katherine Hepburn well enough to just pal around with her in the 40s and 50s.

Sexiest actor/actress you've seen. (Picture required!)

If you don't know who this is, shame on you!

OK, it's Marlon Brando.

Those eyes! Even more so as an old man, his eyes were mesmerizing.

OK, you are casting a movie, pick four or five actors you’d hire to be in it and why we’d love them together.

Nope. Sorry. I don't want to hire a workforce, thanks.

Who are your favorite actor pairing of all time?

There are so many good ones. I gotta say, Brad and Angelina in Mr. and Mrs. Smith were pretty amazing. In another direction entirely, Mel and Danny in the Lethal Weapon movies were simply perfect. "I'm getting to old for this shit."

Have you ever watched movies from a decade that was before you were born? If so, which decade is your favorite?

NOT the 50s, outside of musicals! The 40s had some interesting stuff going on, and even the 30s. I do really like the really early films, when you can see cinematography and lighting and sound production all being "invented"--because it was just so new no one knew what didn't work, so they tried everything.

If you were to be in a movie would you rather play the hero, villain or anti-hero? Why?

I'd like to be a set PA, thanks. Or the woman you can't hear who is talking to the guy at the side or middle distance in the shot.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
My Friends Call Me Tulip

1. Can you stay inside all day without getting bored?

   Yup. I've had to learn that since I'm basically allergic to the outdoors from early August until a hard frost in the fall.

2. Tell us about a TV show that we should watch.

   As my son says, "you do you" so I try not to tell people what they should do. Having said that, I really like almost everything Mike Rowe is involved in.

3. When was the last time you were at your home computer all day?

   I'm not sure. Maybe last weekend? I don't know; it's not that unusual.

4. What websites other than your own do you visit daily?

   What I have open right now: GoodReader, Inoreader, Gmail, Facebook, and Blogger. I don't go to my site daily, or even Blogger. Facebook is my crack.

5. Do you have a favorite day of the week? Why?

   I used to love Mondays; I still like them, but I work full-time now so it's less exciting. I like Fridays at work too--they just seem way laid-back.

6. Did you ever watch Saturday morning cartoons? What was your favorite?

   Nope. Saturday morning, when I was a child, meant staying in my room and cleaning while Mom cleaned the rest of the house. Once lunchtime passed, I was free to do whatever I wanted, which rarely involved TV.

7. Were you a comic book fan?

   Not so much, no.

8. Did you earn an allowance when you were a kid? How much? Was it tied to chores?

   My parents were never really into this. I got paid a little to take the trash out for awhile, but mostly if I wanted money, I just asked. Which involved explaining what I wanted it for.

9. What is the fanciest type of car you've ridden in? What occasion?

   I was in a Porsche for a day quite some time ago, helping a friend move. She was 24...and owned a Porsche. WTF! And I've ridden in a number of limos over the years. It's an airport thing around here.

10. What's your favorite sport to watch?

    Football. Really, need you ask??

11. Ever tried surfing?

    Nope. I can't swim. Surfing seems like it could be rather dangerous for me.

12. Have you ever been to a live major team sporting game?

    Yeah. Been to a NFL games, a couple of NBA games, lots of MLB games, and some hockey and soccer games. You know what, though: I've never been to a sports event in another country. There's a bucket list thing.

13. From a scale of 1 to 5 how athletic are you (1=nerd, 5=very athletic)?

    I'm probably about -4 these days.

14. What's your favorite horror movie?

    I don't do horror movies.

15. What is your favorite cult classic movie?

    By default, it has to be RHPS.

16. About how many times do you go to the movies a month?

    I think my average for this year is up to .2 times per month. Last few years, it would probably be closer to .02 times per month.

17. Favorite movie, which one came to your head first?

    Shoah

18. What if your life was like a movie? What type of movie would it be?

    Deadly dull with moments of insanity. I'm not sure anyone would watch it.

19. Do you like long series movies, like "Lord of the Rings"?

    Well, I don't like LotR, but I did enjoy the Harry Potter movies and the Matrix movies. Generally, though, I prefer brand-new ideas rather than re-doing the same damn thing over and over. Hello, superheroes, I'm looking SQUARELY at you!

The past is what makes up who we are. Don't let it become your burden

(Swiped from Amy, the Source of All Goodness)

How tall are you?

171 cm or so.

Do you have a hidden talent and if so, what?

The speed at which I can alphabetize paper slips is astounding. Then there's my rapid-fire updating of OCLC records. But my best talent is sleeping, even when in a situation that would find most people with eyes uncloseable.

What is your biggest blog-related pet peeve?

I guess it's those people who think that because they can post something up on a website it endows them with the same skills as someone who has studied journalism and made a career of it. I have a specific site in mind (they call themselves "County Watchdogs" but really they're just mean-spirited gossips), but I'm not limiting myself to them. "Citizen Journalism" is unreliable at best.

What is your biggest non-blog-related pet peeve?

Meanness. Why we gotta be so bloody MEAN to each other all the time??

What’s your favorite song?

Depends on the day. Of late, "St. Teresa" (Joan Osborne) has been popping up with some regularity.

What’s your favorite Etsy shop?

I don't think I've ever bought anything from anyone on Etsy, but I follow the Tumblr of the woman who does this shop and she (and her work) cracks me up.

What’s your favorite way to spend your free time when you’re alone?

Reading, puzzling (as in Sudoku and crosswords), Facebooking. Mostly in that order.

What’s your favorite junk food?

Those damned Lofthouse iced sugar cookies.

Do you have a pet or pets?

We are down to just Pintobean the guinea pig. Unless you count the dust dinosaurs....

What are your number one favorite non-fiction and fiction books?

Overall, the Kent Haruf novels are my favorites. I mean as the story of the town of Holt. Nonfiction....hmmm, the one that's keeping my sanity the best is probably someone Al-Anon related. A lot of the stuff is inane and insipid, but there's almost always a little nugget of thought-provoking stuff to chew on.

What’s your favorite beauty product?

Burt's Bees lip balm. Not the mango, but the peppermint stuff is wonderful!

When were you last embarrassed and what happened?

I'm mortified that I've been incredibly credible. Again. Why do I believe what people tell me rather than believing the evidence my senses are screaming at me?!

If you could only drink one beverage (besides water) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Diet Dr. Pepper.

What’s your favorite movie?

The ones that make me laugh the hardest--for obviously different reasons--are Paint Your Wagon, RHPS, and Heathers. The best one EVER is Shoah, but you best bring a truck of Kleenex, some ulcer meds, and something to chew on to keep from screaming, and do NOT watch it if at all depressed.

What were you in high school: prom queen, nerd, cheerleader, jock, valedictorian, band geek, loner, artist, prep etc.?

I was co-valedictorian--six of us were within 1/100th in GPA so they weenied out and refused to pick one (I was probably 3 or 4 out of about 300 in my class)--and a huge band-nerd-slash-brainiac.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Right now, that house on Tierra del Fuego, or in the middle of the Mojave, sounds fabulous.

PC or Mac?

PC, because I haven't use an Apple product since approximately 1987. I don't hate them, but it's just easier to use the same basic product at home and at work. This minimizes the hassle in sending files back and forth--though I think nowadays that's less of a problem. It used to be a huge hassle.

Last romantic gesture from a crush, date, boyfriend/girlfriend?

Hah! First of all, I'm married, nearly 30 years in at this point. Secondly, Beast is not exactly Mr. Romantic. However, he did surprise me with those damned sugar cookies recently. ;-)

Favorite celeb?

I don't really like "celebs." There are a lot of famous people that I like because they are doing good and admirable things: Jimmy Carter, Meredith Vieiera, Michelle Obama, even Prince Charles. I don't tend to care too much about people who are famous for being famous (I'm looking at you, Housewives and Kardashians and Survivor has-beens, et al.).

Which blogger do you secretly want to be best friends with?

I am friends with several of the bloggers I follow. One of my besties IRL and several who've crossed into Facebook-friendships. Now that is some weird shit there. If we're talking Big Famous People....Lynne Murphy from this blog is my idol. Funny and smart, and clever, and real.

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 2015 Year End Meme

1. What did you do in 2015 that you’d never done before?

Drove an RV!!

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

My resolutions mostly applied to work, and I did OK with them; not perfect, but better. Next year, more of the same, only turbo-charged: Silent Cordiality.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

My niece Katharine had a son in October. My niece Rosellen is hoping to pop out twins any second.

4. Tell us a valuable lesson you learned in 2015?

I need to choose who I trust more carefully, and trust myself.

5. What was your favorite new TV program?

CSI: Cyber

6. What would you like to have in 2016 that you lacked in 2015?

I need to lose weight and generally take better care of myself.

7. What dates from 2015 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

Sparky's graduation from college, our long stint in the ER in St. Louis, J's birth, Beast's surgery, the disaster/flood in February, my surgery.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Honestly, improving my relationships with Sparky and Beast while saying to hell with most everyone at work probably ranks up there.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Getting "outed" (doxxed) by crazy people wasn't my best moment. My handling of it with my boss could have been better.

10. What was the best thing you bought?

I have a new laptop I'm using to type this. It's lovely, but there are some major changes I'm having to get used to. The other best thing I 'bought' was weekly therapy.

11. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Beast's for the most part. He's had a very hard year emotionally AND physically, and he's finally learning to listen to his body when it tells him to cease and desist. Also, so many people who have supported him (us), and kept us sane. Also, Sparky, for getting through college and beginning to make his own life choices.

12. Whose behavior made you appalled and disgusted?

The leadership of the Republican party. ISIS. People with more guns and bullets than sense.

13. What song will always remind you of 2015?

"Uptown Funk"

14. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Emptying our varying storage areas and getting rid of stuff.

15. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Eat junk.

16. What was the best book you read?

Ready Player One (Cline), Joseph Anton (Rushdie), Our Souls at Night (Haruf) are among the ones that will stick with me.

17. What one thing would have made your year measurably more satisfying?

Keeping my mouth shut and walking away.

18. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

"Do you get a little kick out of being slow-minded?
You want to be like your father
It's approval you're after
Well that's not how you find it

Do you really enjoy living a life that's so hateful?
'Cause there's a hole where your soul should be
You're losing control of it and it's really distasteful"

NSFW

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Consumables

1. What dehydrated foods (meant to be consumed that way) do you enjoy?

   I ... can't think of anything dehydrated I like. Fruit? Shudder. Well, I don't mind jerky. Otherwise, I seriously can't think of anything else that doesn't sound horrible.

2. What’s your favorite dish made by stuffing one food with another?

   I like stuffed shells. And stuffing itself, though I never put it actually inside the turkey. I like crabmeat inside random foods too.

3. What’s your favorite dish made by rolling something up?

   CINNAMON ROLLS!! That's a dish, right??!

4. What’s a meal you frequently consume primarily because the cleanup is quick?

   Pizza. OK, takeout pizza.

5. What’s a food that’s made much better because of what you sprinkle on it?

   Buttered toast with cinnamon sugar.

Sunday Stealing x 2

(Link in meme-roll)
That Alphabet Thing Meme

A: Accent --

I'm Midwestern, so I sound like everyone on TV.
OK, yes, I know that's not true, but I have definitely lost most of my western (Colorado-y) drawl.

B: Breakfast --

Usually a bagel with a couple of slices of cheese. We stopped at Bob Evans the other day on the way home and snagged a box of corn muffins on the way out, so I've had one of those the last couple of mornings. So good!

C: Chore you hate --

I hate doing anything with the floor: vacuuming, sweeping, mopping. Frustratingly unpermanent.

D: Dad's name --

He was named after his grandfather (and my brother's son is named after him). It is a name shared by a book of the New Testament and has been in the top 20 names for boys for the past 95 years, dropping more recently. In fact, up until 1980, it was in the top 5 every year.

E: Essential everyday item --

Glasses.

F: Flavor ice cream --

Peppermint or birthday cake.

G: Gold or silver --

Silver.

H: Hometown --

I grew up not too far from where I-70 and I-25 intersect. In fact, US highways 285 and 85 cross less than a mile from the house in which I grew up.

I: Insomnia --

Yes, you rang? ...
Every night.

J: Job title --

"Head of Technical Services" but actually a Reference Librarian also.

K: Kids --

Love 'em. They crack me up, and make me smile and generally hopeful for the future. I have one of my own, although he'll be 23 on his next birthday. On the other hand, my nieces and nephews are all reproducing now, so I have 7 great-nephews with two babies on the way, due in December-ish. They are all The Most Beautiful Kids in the World.

M: Mother's birthplace --

She was born in the same city in which she gave birth to me.

N: Number of significant others --

Just the one at the moment. Seems like plenty to me, or even one too many sometimes. ;-)

O: Overnight hospital stays --

Two overnight stays totaling 8 nights.

P: Phobia --

I'm not a huge fan of crowds.

Q: Quick at --

Alphabetizing.

R: Religious affiliation --

Presbyterian.

S: Siblings --

Once upon a time there were five of us. We're at three and holding now.

T: Time you wake up --

With an alarm, it runs between 5:45 and 7:30. Otherwise, whenever.

U: Unnatural hair colors --

I added some red to my hair for about 12 years until a few years ago. Since then it's been brown-turning-gray.

V: Vegetable you refuse to eat --

Brussels sprouts. They may be the reason I'm not interested in going to Belgium.

W: Worst habit --

Probably a pretty close race between biting my nails and jumping to conclusions.

X: X-rays --

Mostly dental. Some random torso stuff--do mammos and bone scans count?--and my throat (thyroid, parathyroid).

Y: Yummy --

Cookies!

Z: Zodiac sign --

I'm a Scorp.

___________________________________

Swiped Meme

1. Did someone die in that last movie you watched?

We went and saw A Walk in the Woods a couple of weeks ago. There were no deaths. Well, not exactly "none", but... OOPS? Spoiler alert? (hah) Pretty good, if you're an old fart.

2. Are the trees pretty colors outside for you now or at all?

Ours haven't started changing yet, but those around us are well on their way.

3. Have you ever made a bad first impression on someone's parents?

Probably. I have no idea. Not as a child--I was a good kid well into college. Now, I just don't try very hard unless their child is someone important to me.

4. When's the last time you video recorded something on TV?

We DVR a bunch of shows every week to watch later: CSI: Cyber, NCIS, NCIS:LA and NCIS:NO, Whose Line..., Deadliest Catch, and The Bait, SNL. Beast does Bill Maher's show and several car shows.

5. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?

I wouldn't mind being a teacher, still, if I could just do the teaching part, not the paperwork and parent/admin bullshit.

6. What are your views on sunflowers?

I wasn't aware I needed to have a view on them. I like them. I like their seeds. They need to be planted far from walls or they tip over.

7. What is your favorite incense or candle scent?

"Clean" or vanilla works fine for me.

8. Caramel apples or candy apples?

Caramel always.

9. Have you ever walked into a wall?

I run into walls with shoulders, hips and legs semi-regularly. I ran full-tilt into a wall in gym class when I was 10 or so. Cuz I'm all coordinated like that.

10. Would you ever or do you make your dog wear a bandana?

I have done worse to my dogs in the past, but I no longer have a dog to dress up like Barbie.

11. Do you find dandelions when they're gone all white pretty?

Not particularly. By that point they look like they're weeds, IMO.

12. What makes you laugh?

Baby giggles, silly animals, Whose Line Is It?, puns (smart ones), unexpectedness.

13. The scariest moment of your life?

This past Wednesday was full of Scary. Basically, from 11 a.m. on was one hurdle after another, interspersed with frustration and boredom: figuring out the St. Louis Arch entrance amid the masses of construction, riding up to the top and looking down, waiting for Beast to come back for me in a rather shady-feeling part of town, hearing him say he might be having a heart attack, running to the urgent care to ask for help (their help? calling 911--that's it), driving a rental RV through downtown St. Louis, trying to find a parking place near a hospital I knew nothing about, waiting for treatment (for 5 hours), Beast being in so much pain he was on the verge of throwing up, walking to the parking lot (twice) in the dark in a not-great part of town, driving the RV back across town to an RV site and setting it up, sleeping alone in it, packing it up in the morning and driving BACK to the hospital.... Those were the highlights.

14. What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought lately?

I got some cute S&Ps before vacation went south. And a good overview book about Mary Lincoln.

15. What’s the worst you’ve had to do because of losing a bet?

I don't think I've ever made the kind of bet that requires me to do anything besides pay up. And I never gamble more than I'm willing to lose.

Friday 5

(Link in meme-roll)
Up and Autumn

1. Where do you rank October among the twelve months of the year?

   I'd put it in the top 3.

2. What time is the sun coming up where you live, and how does it affect your life or schedule?

   It's rising slightly before 7 these days. The only real effect I can think of is that it's right in my eyes when I'm sitting in the living room in the morning. And of course, it means winter is coming. Boo!

3. How do you manage to get enough fresh air and exercise in bad-weather months?

   Hah! I don't get much of that in the rest of the year, so there's no big change for me!

4. Holidays and weather aside, what are the best and worst things about the autumn months?

   Best is the smell in the air, the lower humidity, the crisp, cool nights, the light.... Bad things: occasionally brutally cold, and the sense of impending winter.

5. What are some good songs for the soundtrack of the season?

   ...this is why I don't really do mixtapes. I freeze up and can't think of anything. All that comes to mind are Halloween songs for kids!