Saturday 9

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Mama Liked the Roses (1970)

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

1) In this song, Elvis tells us his mother loved tending the roses in the garden. Do you have a green thumb?

I do not. I have been entrusted with four five thriving containers of plants recently and so far I seem to have only managed to destroy one plant in one of them. There's another that's not looking real healthy but I think that's just temporary. 
My mother, however, could make lumber sprout green shoots just about. We had a jungle of plants in our living room and, yes, dozens of rosebushes in the yard. To this day, the scent of roses reminds me of my childhood yard and Mom (she didn't wear perfume). 

2) Mama would put the roses in a vase in the living room. Do you have cut flowers in your home right now?

Nope. They all got tossed last week. I have a bunch of empty vases I don't know what to do with. I mean, actually, I need to take them back to the florist that's on my way to work, possibly along with several others from previous floral tributes.

3) Elvis sings that he found Mama's rose petals pressed in the family Bible. Have you ever pressed petals in a book? If yes, what occasion were you commemorating?

I have! I pressed my high school graduation corsage in my diary! I should dig that out and see how they're doing 45 years on.

4) OK, so now we know Mama liked roses. What about you? Would you prefer white, pink, yellow or red roses?

I do not care about the color. I do care if they actually smell good. No smell-less roses allowed, so (ergo) none from flower shops. It's hard to find roses with scent these days....

5) Elvis' own mother, Gladys Presley, had a major impact on pop culture. When her son was 11, he asked for either a rifle or a bicycle for his birthday. She deemed the rifle too dangerous and the bike too expensive, and so he chose a guitar instead. The rest is history. Tell us about a special birthday gift from your youth.

I don't remember any specific birthday gift. My parents were ultra-practical, so it was mostly clothes or office supplies (stationery, books, etc.). I think I got a necklace one year?  

6) Abraham Lincoln credited his stepmother, Sarah, for her lasting influence on his life, saying she ignited his love of reading and learning. Tell us about a woman -- mother, stepmother, grandmother, aunt, Godmother, teacher, neighbor -- who changed your life for the better.

Good Lord there are dozens from with to choose! So many good teachers, and so many older-than-me relatives, several younger-than-me relatives, and friends.... I'm going to talk about Venus--yes, her real name--who was in her 60s when I met her and VERY non-Venus-like. She was a smart, no-nonsense, loving Texas native here in the upper Midwest who never met a stranger. I once asked her when she was going to retire from all her post-retirement activities; she basically told me she'd retire when the people she was feeding, helping, "doing for," no longer needed to be fed or helped. Shut me right up. She was fearless, kind, blunt. She always seemed to fill up the room while probably being only about 5'2" tall.

7) Mother's Day is almost upon us. According to the National Restaurant Association, we like to eat out on this holiday, with revenue up more than 80% on Mother's Day weekend. When did you last dine at a restaurant? Was it a special occasion?

I eat breakfast at Wendy's fairly often (drive-thru), but the last sit-down place I think I ate was the new tenant in the City's Last Boondoggle--a lengthy story I'll maybe talk about someday--which was delicious. Sparky's feeding me tomorrow too, at a (pseudo) Irish Pub.

8) Candles are a big seller for Mother's Day, too. What's your favorite candle scent?

I like clean smells, less perfume-y. Pine is good. Sandalwood is good. Gardenia is very much not good.

9) Sam is celebrating Mother's Day with her mother's favorite, Hershey Bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or chocolate with almonds?

I'm not that fussy, but I really don't care for dark chocolate. Actually, I am a little fussy: I like European chocolate over American. I got a big nasty mouthful of something American recently that really did a strong vomit taste, which kinda killed that brand for me.

Saturday 9 x 2

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Why Did I Choose You? (1965) 

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

1) In this song, Barbra Streisand reassures her lover that, if she had it all to do again, she would still choose him. Tell us about a decision you've made that you never, ever regretted. 

Despite weeks of homesickness freshman year, I never actually regretted going to college so far from home. It was the only decision I could make to save myself from stagnation.

2) The music was composed by Michael Leonard, who studied classical music at Julliard and the Handel Conservatory of Music in Munich. Do you often listen to classical music? 

Not much. It tends to make me sleep, or else I fall too deeply into listening to parts and replaying and crawling inside it. 

3) The lyrics were written by Herbert Martin. He taught music in the NYC public school system and during the summer worked in summer stock. That's how he met and began collaborating with Michael Leonard. Tell us how you met someone important in your life. 

See question #1. Some of the best relationships, long-lasting ones, of my life started at college, including meeting my now-husband. Almost all of them were distinctly driven by chance and being aware in the moment of the goodness of people.

4) Ms. Streisand was a very good student, graduating fourth in her class at Erasmus Hall High School when she was only 16. One of Barbra's classmates was Neil Diamond. Do you have a favorite Neil Diamond song?

"America" is meaningful to me. Aside: I saw on Facebook this week that he is now 80! Unreal. 

5) While she didn't go on to college, she continued her education by attending two different acting schools simultaneously. Did you enjoy being a student? 

I was an excellent student: attentive, a sponge for info and meaning, good at tests, quiet, well-behaved. None of these things have been particularly useful as a functioning adult except maybe the attentiveness and understanding meaning (rather than surface information).

6) Barbra and her first husband, Elliott Gould, shared a New York apartment over a 5th Avenue restaurant called Oscar's Salt of the Sea. Elliott originated the role of Trapper John in the movie M*A*S*H. On TV, the role of Trapper was played by Wayne Rogers. Can you think of another role that's been played by more than one actor? 

Aunt Viv. Darren Stevens.

7) Oscar's Salt of the Sea has ties to Sesame Street. Jim Henson loved their food and was amused by how inhospitable the owner, Oscar, could be. That's how Oscar the Grouch got his name. Which is your favorite Muppet?

I am developing a deep understanding of Oscar, but I feel mostly like Grover, which is an old family (first) name too. 

8) Back to Barbra ... She is a successful recording artist (nominated for 45 Grammy awards, winning 8) and an Oscar-winning actress, but she's suffered career disappointments, too. In 2010, she read the book Hidden Figures and tried to buy the rights so she could direct the film version. She lost out to fellow Brooklynite, director Theodore Melfi. In 2016, his movie of Hidden Figures was released. Did you see the movie or read the book? 

I saw the movie: stunning! The book was reputed to be deadly dull so I skipped it.

9) Random question: Your best friend takes up painting and proudly presents her first framed work to you. You think it's atrocious. Would you hang it in your home anyway? 

I would, for awhile, and maybe not in an obvious place where I'll see it that often.

 

Sunday Stealing

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Around the House

Bedroom: what’s your sleep schedule?

I sleep whenever I can. I'm usually in bed by 9 or 10 and reading or puzzling for awhile. Wake-up time varies between 5:30 and 7:30 depending on the day--although yesterday I slept past noon!!--and I try to get a nap on weekends. Not yesterday, though.

Kitchen: favorite comfort food?

Sweets. I'm not fussy, but I'm also on the verge of being told to totally cut them out.

Washroom: showers or baths? bubbles? bath bombs?

My daily schedule involves a shower upon waking up most mornings, but I like to get a bath periodically just because they are relaxing and I can shave my legs easier. And I use either bubbles or bath salts, whatever I grab first.

Closet: sum up your style in a few words.

"Is it comfortable? Does it have pockets?"

Parlor: favorite party or board game?

I really do like the game of Life. And I've loved every single game I've played of Cards Against Humanity, including the one we played at a staff meeting at work. THAT was super-eye-opening.

Living room: what do you like to do with your family?

Talk. We're heavily into talking, mostly over each other, all at the same time, and getting irritated because no one is listening. Otherwise, we do well wherever you put us, to be honest. We're nothing if not adaptable.* Oh, and we like to eat.

Dining room: favorite special occasion food?

I make a good Thanksgiving spread.

Garden: favorite tree? flower?

My favorite tree...hmm, either aspen or blue spruce, I guess. My favorite flower is heirloom roses, the kind that smell.

Attic: what’s one thing you have a sentimental attachment to and you will never throw away?

I would assume the obvious wedding ring answer, but otherwise there are just too many "favorite things" and while I would hate to do it, I know it's quite likely I will have to do so someday.

Library: favorite book genre?

Mysteries. I used to turn up my nose at romances, but I'm about to start on a tear of those having had just about enough bad news on my plate for far too long.

Office: if you could have any job in the world, what would it be?

The one I have is pretty damned excellent!

Guest room: have you been to a sleepover? if so, when was your first? do you like them?

I'm female: of course I had slumber parties as a child and teen. My first? I was probably 10 or so, but don't remember details. They were just part of weekends and vacations and so forth, a 'thing' that has continued well into my adulthood. My last one was at Amy's over a year ago; I spent the weekend at her house. Lovely!

Foyer: do you like small gatherings, large parties, or one-on-one meetings?

I hate large crowds. Smaller groups or one-on-one is far preferred.

Pantry: favorite meal to make?

Mac n cheese, I guess. I really don't enjoy cooking that much.

Laundry: favorite and least favorite chore?

I don't mind cleaning bathrooms or doing dishes or general cleanup, but I absolutely LOATHE floors! Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming--I hate it all. And guess what's on my schedule today? Yep, all three.

Garage: favorite mode of transportation? favorite car?

I love riding trains. I'm not a train nut, but there's something about going slow enough to see people's backyards and farm fields but fast enough to move along and NOT have to do the driving.... I'm acutely envious that Beast gets to take the commuter train into the Big City on Wednesday without me. Closer to home, I'd love a Jeep Cherokee, but my Ford Edge is fine too.

Panic room: what was the most nerve-wracking experience you’ve had?

Parenting. You don't know for sure you've done things right until at least 20 years after the fact.

Powder room: do you wear makeup? if so, what one item can’t you live without? what’s your favorite look?

The only "make up" I wear is Chapstick. I can't have stuff around my eyes because of allergies, and my rosacea means putting stuff on my cheeks and nose is just begging for a giant breakout. Also, I'm lazy, and usually don't want to take the time to futz in the morning.

__________
*The first is more true of my extended family of origin, and much less true of Beast and Sparky and me. The latter part is all of us.

Saturday 9

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Fool on the Hill (1967)
Unfamiliar with today's song? We can't help you. The YouTube copyright police have removed the Beatles' version. [But I found a tribute video with the original song here today. Who knows if it'll still be available later.]

1) Friday was April Fool's Day. Did you pull any pranks? Did anyone put anything over on you?

I shared a post on Facebook about football that was a prank--and 'got' Beast with it, and I think a church friend who didn't bother to click through--but otherwise I did my usual play-it-cool-and-stay-out-of-the-crossfire. I'm not a huge fan of pranks.

2) The practice of playing tricks on one another on April 1 dates back at least to the 14th century and Chaucer's The Canterbury Tales includes a mention of it. Geoffrey Chaucer has been called England's greatest poet. Quote a bit of poetry for us. (It doesn't have to be English, or great.)

This one's for my Dad:

A wonderful bird is a pelican.
His beak can hold more than his belican.
He keeps fish for the week
Inside of his beak,
But I don't know how the helican. (Dixon Lanier Merritt)

It was, invariably, quoted with punctuation from Mom: "[DAD'S FIRST NAME!]"

3) Beatle Paul is a huge Elvis fan and is happy to own the bass that was played on Elvis' 1954 recording of "That's All Right, Mama." Tell us about one of your prized possessions.

Since all of our kitchen cupboards had to be emptied yesterday* and the contents are mostly still sitting in the dining room patiently waiting for re-stowage....I'll go with my Sunbeam stand mixer. I grew up with my mom's 1950s-era version and when we got married young and poor I bought a cheap lightweight mixer for kitchen tasks. What a cheap piece of crap: plastic, impossible for mashing potatoes, and just junk. So somewhere along the line when we had money to blow, Beast bought me a Sunbeam for Christmas. And it was a very good gift--still works beautifully and is heavy enough to take care of just about anything, even bread dough (I have bread hook attachments).

4) In contrast to his easygoing persona, Sir Paul has been described by former band mate Ringo Starr as strong willed and "determined to get his own way." Do you consider yourself strong willed and determined? Or are you more easy going?

Yes. I'm mostly very easygoing, but I have a temper and a tendency to lose it over the most ridiculous stuff. And I do like to get my own way, in true Youngest Child fashion; my choice of profession didn't help either as I also like to be "right" about answers.

5) The Beatles once bought a Greek island, planning to live and record there, but sold it after a few months because it started to seem like a bad, expensive idea. Tell us about a purchase that gave you buyer's remorse.

We once had a Plymouth Voyager. From the standpoint of having room to cart Sparky's baby equipment around on vacation, it was great. Otherwise...man, I really hated that car....!

6) Legend has it that the Beatles officially broke up in Disney World. John Lennon was staying at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort when he received and signed the court papers that dissolved the group. Have you ever conducted business while on vacation?

Huh. Of course. In this day of smart phones and 24-hour internet email checking? Beast actually has a job for which he's "on call" whenever customers need him, so he's always doing stuff on vacations. This upcoming vacation will be interesting in that we are limited to one device to check all our accounts, which means sharing, which means potential problems. So I've pretty much decided I'm going dark for the duration. Hurrah.

7) George Harrison loved puttering around in the garden and dedicated his autobiography to "gardeners everywhere." Do you have a green thumb?

I do not. I have, somehow, managed to keep a lovely little cactus-y thing and its offshoots (all gifts) alive for about 5 years now. And some other really easy plants are still alive through no 'fault' of my own. I have killed more houseplants in my lifetime than anyone I know.

8) Ringo regrets not having saved more Beatles memorabilia, which he realizes now would be worth a fortune. Are you a pack rat?

We have a great deal of shit in storage in this house. (She says, looking at the dining room and all the collected crap sitting there. Why do we need four (FOUR!) different sets of wine-glasses??). I will be winnowing while putting things away.)

9) Random question: Which do you prefer, Girl Scout cookies or Boy Scout popcorn?

Nothing against popcorn, but cookies FTW!!

*We had new countertops installed so all the lower cupboards needed to be cleared for access and so things didn't get broken. I posted the before photo on Facebook about how the old counters were going away hurrah hurray, and got immediately guilt-tripped by two nieces to the effect that our old stuff is better than their current counters. Gotta love family.

BEFORE

AFTER

CLOSE-UP and blurry

Friday 5

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SW: TFA
(inspired by a certain movie I finally saw, with no spoilers)

1. When did you last wear a lei (or something similar)?

   I had on an infinity scarf yesterday at work, and I pretty much always have a long woolly scarf on when I'm outside these days. Otherwise, neckwear is not a big priority for me.

2. What are your thoughts on organically grown produce?

   I'm all for it in theory, but I live in farm country and I know that on a big-scale farm, organic is ... difficult. And that's if you can agree on a definition of "organic" in the first place!

3. Which Goldie Hawn movies have you seen?

   Uhm...I don't know of any, honestly? I don't go out of my way to see her, though I don't dislike her. Just not my thing, I guess. Was she in Witches of Eastwick?

4. What’s something you’ve recently and reluctantly flown solo on?

   Work is turning into very much of a solo flight every day lately, in many ways. For the first time in years, I seriously looked at house prices and jobs in Colorado in a serious way. We could swing it, but not anywhere near Denver.

5. What experience do you have with BB or pellet guns?

   Only in the praying for no injuries when Sparky and Jet used to have Airsoft wars every Saturday. Sparky's first time out, he came home with a big bruise/goose-egg just below his eyebrow; he'd very nearly had his eye shot out. He wore his science safety goggles after that.

Friday 5

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Know-How

1. What’s something you know how to do beneath the hood of a car?

   I can check the oil, check the belts, jump a battery, and fill the washer fluid thingy. Generally, if something's not right I'll be able to spot it, but it's unlikely I could fix it.

2. What’s something you know how to fold a piece of paper into?

   I've made two (different) foxes this week, on order, for a friend who asked for them for her husband for Christmas. I enjoy origami, without pressure, as a tension release at work.

3. What’s something you know how to do in the outdoors?

   I can build a fire given matches, kindling and firewood. I can do basic gardening, which includes telling the difference between weeds and not-weeds. And I can shovel snow, though not much and not for long.

4. What’s something you know how to do with a length of rope?

   "I can make a hat, or a brooch, or a pterodactyl." Mostly, I'm just good at winding it up into a bundle and tying it off.

5. What’s something you know how to do with a deck of cards?

   I can shuffle like the pros, regular and backwards. I know a couple of very simple card tricks, and a whole lot of different versions of solitaire.

Friday Five

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Zero

1. What is something you have run out of?

Patience? Youth? Interest in my job? On a purely practical level, I think we're out of cheese and some other groceries, and hay for the guinea pigs.

2. What is something you don't know anything about?

I don't think I could even create a coherent thought about how internal combustion engines work, or physics. Sorry, Dad.

3. What is something that needs emptying?

We desperately need to weed our garden(s). We have 4-foot high weeds!

4. There are a lot of stylistic or slangy ways to say “zero.” Which are your favorite?

"Zip" or "zilch" are a couple I use a lot.

5. When did you last receive something free when you were expecting to pay for it?

I can't think of anything. I'm pretty careful about knowing what's for sale and what's not and how much things are going to set me back. Plus, I haven't been out in public shopping much lately.

Patrick's Place

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Saturday Six

1. Y is for YARDWORK: what’s your favorite kind of yardwork?

I don't like yardwork. If it were my choice, I'd pay someone else to do it all. As it is, Beast does most of it, and we occasionally hire out some.

2. Y is for YEARBOOK: how many of the yearbooks you had in school do you still own?

All of them. It dawned on me the other day that I don't think Sparky has gotten a single yearbook from college. I will really have to insist he get one this year.

3. Y is for YEAST: what is your favorite kind of bread?

Yes. I like bread. Period.

4. Y is for YIELD: do you think the average motorist is bright enough to understand what a yield sign means, or should yield signs be replaced with stop signs?

I think the average driver, having seen "YIELD" signs his or her entire life, is perfectly able to understand it means "let others go first" which is emphatically NOT THE SAME as "stop." So, no, let's not spend a shit-ton of money replacing signs unnecessarily.

5. Y is for YOUNG: what age do you think is the "last" age someone should be considered "young"?

It's rather dependent on context, isn't it? I'm a youngster at a nursing home, I'm older than God in 1st Grade Sunday School class. In all fairness, I think I'm beginning to feel like I'm being patted on the head and sent off to bed with warm milk occasionally at work. Sigh. So maybe 50 is the magic number.

6. Y is for YUCK: which single food item do you dislike the taste of the most?

Liver. OMG the smell, the texture, the taste. It's the whole package!

Saturday 9

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Your Mama Don't Dance (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1) This song is about how the older generation often doesn't understand what the younger generation is up to. Do you keep up with trends?

I try, but I'm rapidly falling behind and caring less every day.

2) This song was in the top 10 in 1972, which is also the year HBO was introduced. Do you have any premium cable channels?

We do have HBO, but I never watch it. Or rather, rarely. We also pay to see all the NFL games (Season Ticket) in the fall..

3) Mother Winters taught Sam how to kill the lingering food smells in her microwave (take a bowl of water, add a few drops of vanilla extract, and heat it in the microwave). Do you have any useful household hints to pass along?

Baking soda cleans virtually anything, vinegar is your other best friend, and NEVER wash your cast iron skillet with soapy water!

4) The French word for "mother" is "mère." What other French words do you know?

"Oui" and "non" and random others. OK, "père" and "soeur" and "homme" and "femme" and however it's spelled "Ou est le WC?"

5) Flowers and plants are popular on Mother's Day. How is your yard or garden? Is it green and/or blooming?

It's in wonderful shape. The dandelions are awesome. Beast doesn't agree with that, but I like them. We need to weed tomorrow.

6) Mother's Day is a big holiday for card shops. So are birthdays, weddings, and St. Patrick's Day. Hallmark sells greetings for everything from "Congratulations on Your New Job" to "Happy Retirement." Who received the most recent card you bought?

Ellie got a confirmation card with her gift from us a couple of weeks ago.

7) Have you put away your winter clothes yet?

I don't really "put away" as in "store" clothes, but I did pick up and organize all my shoes last week. My winter coat is hanging in the closet. So, yeah, I kind of have done what I do.

8) Mother Winters used to scold Sam for leaving her dirty dishes in the sink. Sam admits it: as a grown up, she's still a bit of a slob. Do lean toward "neat" or "messy?"

I prefer "untidy" over "messy." A mess implies stickiness and general vermin attraction. I'm NOT that. (usually)

9) To celebrate Mother's Day, Sam is giving away candy bars. Would you prefer classic milk chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate with almonds?

I'll have the almonds. Y'know almonds in candy negates all the sugar... ha ha ha

Thursday 13

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Things Starting with J

1. Journal. I wish I could figure out my antipathy toward daily journaling. I'm just really lousy at it.


2. Jeans. I need to go buy some new ones. Those I own are too small. :(


3. Job. I'm in kind of a drought at work. There's a ton going on, and I feel like I'm going full-speed just trying to keep up, much less get a handle on things.



4. Jackalope. I miss the West. And I think I had this very same picture in my room as a child.


5. Joke. Yes, those are a joke. I believed in them for awhile when I was a kid, because my brother liked teasing me


6. Junk. So much of it in my life. Ugh. Need to clean. Need to purge!


7. Jeep. I have always wanted a Jeep, but I totally live in a stupid place to own one. I don't see that changing. Ever. And that's a drag. Oh, well, another dead childhood dream.


8. Jalapeño. I used to always have poppers when we went to T0mmy's (a local fast food place), but I just recently discovered they also have deep-fried mac-n-cheese! Holy crap...!


9. Jewelry. I think I will have to bite the bullet this summer and take all my rings to get them resized. My fingers are too fat already this spring to get them off (or back on) easily. The losing weight thing...hasn't been happening.


10. Jammies. Still wearing my winter flannels. I've usually started substituting in lighter ones on warmer nights, but we haven't HAD any warm nights. The winds blowing a gale out there right now, in fact.


11. Jonquil. Nor have I seen anything sprouting in my garden yet. At least I can SEE the garden now, though. The only place there's still now is the ditches.


12. Jump. I'm very used to jumping up out of chairs (and plopping into them) rather abruptly, at work and elsewhere. This week, due to a bit of middle-of-the-night acrobatics on the stairs, I'm finding it quite difficult to move much faster than the average tortoise. Hopefully, I'll be able to jump around like a psychotic flea again by Monday or Tuesday.


13. Jerk. There's been a surprising lack of them at the library this week. 'Course, I work this weekend, so there's still hope.

Friday 5

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Seeds

1. When did you last have sunflower seeds?

   It's been a very long time. My sister Ellen used to live on them; they were her afternoon snack of choice. I actually can't eat them without thinking of her, and I actually find them fiddly and annoying to eat.

2. What do you think of the idea of sipping coconut milk through a straw, right from a fresh coconut?

   I love fresh coconut! Sounds lovely to me, especially today.

3. When did you most recently consume some kind of seed?

   Hmmm, not sure. I had some almonds yesterday; are those seeds?

4. What’s the seediest-looking nearby neighborhood like?

   The community in which I live has no housing code, so there are beautiful big houses cheek-by-jowl with 3 room shacks. It's weird.

5. When did you last plant some metaphorical seeds, and has there been germination?

   I teach Sunday School, so there's that. I'm also trying to plan seeds in my own garden to make some things better down the way.

Friday 5

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Mother Goose, May I?

1. Have you any wool?

   Not much. I'm somewhere between allergic and sensitive to lanolin, so I don't wear a lot of straight wool.

2. How mony men have ye?

   Well, there's Beast. And Sparky. And Ruka and Pinto, but they're technically not men, unless rodents can be men....

3. How does your garden grow?

   In December? Not so well outside, and I'm afraid I've killed a Marley recently indoors. :(

4. Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?This week has been...trying. I've been just getting through the days, one slog at a time.
5. What are little boys made of?

   "Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails"...and dirt and B.O. and a lot of shoving and general physicality. Except, y'know, for those boys who are NOT AT ALL like that. But in my house...the stereotype is true. ...sigh.

Sunday Stealing

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Fall/Autumn Meme

First of all, is autumn your favorite season? Why or why not? It is, yes. I like the colors and the smells and the variation in temperature.
Is it 'autumn' or 'fall' to you? I usually call it fall.
What kind of weather does your area get during this season? Cooler, less humid, high clouds, windy.
Were you born in an autumn month? Technically, yes, but I always think of it more as "moving on toward winter."
Do you pay attention to any 'fall fashions'? Nope.
Which leaf color is your favorite? Dark red:

Is it still fun to rake the leaves and jump in piles of them? I am not a fan of raking, and my prayers were answered in our lot: no fence, small trees, and high winds to blow them all into other people's yards. ;-)
When can you really tell that it's autumn? When I need a blanket in bed when the A/C isn't on.
Do you enjoy carving pumpkins? It's not my favorite thing, but I'll do it.
Do you eat the pumpkin seeds? If so, do you put any kind of flavoring on it? I don't hate them, but I don't toast my own.
Are you planning to go to a pumpkin patch this year? Probably not. Will likely buy a couple of pumpkins that we'll carve--as usual--on Oct. 30, or even the morning of Oct. 31, because we procrastinate.
Which was your favorite Halloween costume to wear? I only remember two of them: one was a bunnysuit leftover from one of my siblings, and the other was a clown costume my mom made. They're sort of tied for first. By default.
Are you planning to go trick-or-treating? Why or why not? Uh, no. I'm a Font of Candy not a kid.
Are there any county fairs or festivals held nearby during this time? There's an Autumn Fest for Art (not its actual name) nearby, and of course all the hayrides and corn mazes you could want. This year, my work-town is doing a haunted house downtown...we'll see how that goes. And of course random craft shows. But the biggest thing in the general area is Gourdfest in a town where a friend works. She tends to bug out because it's insane that weekend.
What is your favorite dessert for this time of year? About the same as my favorite dessert any other time of year.
Is your Thanksgiving Day in October or November, if you even celebrate it? We do it up in November.
If you do celebrate it, where do you usually have Thanksgiving dinner? Here. This year might be different because of the addition of a baby to the mix. We'll see.
Do you remember any crafts you used to do that were autumn-themed? Oh, yeah, there were always things at school: turkeys made from traced-hands, pilgrim hats, Indian bonnets (sigh...so not-PC), etc. etc. ad nauseum.
Are any of your favorite bands doing a fall tour this year? No clue.
Which new TV show are you looking forward to this season? I've really been enjoying The Bridge over the summer, and I'm looking forward to CSI, and both NCISes. There's a faint bell ringing about some new show that looked interesting, but I can't remember what it was right now. Oh, and I'm sure we'll be watching Fast 'n Loud and some of the other "guy shows" whenever Beast is around.
How does autumn typically make you feel? Excited. It's still wrapped up in school starting and new clothes and school supplies, which is crazy since Sparky isn't exactly needing any of that, and buying college textbooks is just fucking painful!
What color do you always associate with autumn? Orange and red.
Is there a song that always reminds you of this season? "Bringing in the Sheaves", "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come", "All Things Bright and Beautiful", and "We Gather Together." Also various goofy Halloween songs that I get to overhear the children's librarian doing during storytimes.
Do you have any seasonal traditions? Well, we wrap up the yard in another month or so. And buy candy in late October. And celebrate our birthdays. And, most important of all, WATCH FOOTBALL!!!
Do you spend a lot of time outside during this time of the year? Perhaps slightly more than in the heat of summer.
How can you tell that fall is over? Snow that sticks and accrues. Frigid temperatures. Perpetual cloudy skies.
What is a typical autumn outfit that you wear? Jeans, long-sleeved Ts, sneakers. At work, I tend not to use sneakers. ;-)
Describe a perfect autumn day: Fire in a firepit or fireplace, chatting with friends around a picnic table, a light breeze, and the smell of pine.
Do you hate it when stores start promoting Christmas early? Yes. But here's the thing: if people really hated it as much as we like to bitch about it, we would stop buying shit in July. So, I just don't complain, seeing as how most of my shopping this year is already done.
What is your favorite thing about this season? All of it. Sorry: I can't limit myself to one thing.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Finally, I am getting in the groove of working 40 hours a week. Still seems like a huge jump from 32--more like 60 hours a week--but I'm sure I'll get over that.
2. Bifocals sure takes some getting used to!
3. Dad says: Eating beans will put hair on your chest. He said that about every food I balked at as a child. Not really much of a motivator for me, was it?
4. Ruke-Star is my favorite nick name for one of the guinea pigs. Though I also call him Rookedy-Dookedy often.
5. It took a long time, but I may finally be developing a greenish-tinted thumb. ...as long as you ignore that dried-up poinsetta over in the corner...
6. Now that Sparky's at college, I miss him, though I wouldn't have it any other way.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having a bedroom that is mostly dust-free with CLEAN FLOORS, tomorrow my plans include work (and a headache or 12 caused by same), and Sunday, I want to skip church...and maybe talk to Elizabeth et al. via Skype!

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. How can I explain how chaotic this month is becoming? And it's only the 5th of the month, too.

2. Sparky should get outside to weed again. He's slacking off.

3. My hair needs attention.

4. We're probably going to our 25th college reunion at Homecoming in October.

5. My favorite summer fruits are just coming in to season now.

6. Thump crash bang ...what was that?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to sleeping more than 5 or 6 hours, tomorrow my plans include work (sigh...), and Sunday, I want to do laundry and also go to church!

Sunday Stealing

(Link in meme-roll)
The 14 Question Meme

1. What do you consider your hometown to be?

Suburban Denver, where I grew up. I lived there longer than anywhere else so far. However, in total, I've lived longer in the Midwest than I did in Denver. {{sad face}}

2. What’s the hardest part of your average day?

Getting motivated. It has been hard to do lately because of the weather and because of work-related stuff.

3. The easiest? Why?

Anything on the internet. lol As long as the computer is working right, that is.

4. What beverage do you reach for to quench your thirst?

Diet Dr. Pepper.

5. What is one not-so-secret goal you have for your life? I’ll let you keep your secret ones to yourself.

Spend time at a shooting range, and play the bagpipes. NOT at the same time. (though that visual would be pretty stunning...) Oh, and play with my grandbabies.

6. What physical pain do you fear most? For example, I’m trying to decide how bad my jaw pain needs to get before I risk a potential needle from my dentist. So, for me, throbbing is preferable to jabbing.

If I can still function at more than 60-70%, no need to call in the medics. When I literally can't move (or breathe in some cases--hello, allergies) bring 'em on!

7. Where do you find solace?

In other people's good writing.

8. What makes you the saddest when you read/see the news?

The fact that we focus so quickly on the bad news when there is plenty of good stuff happening as well. Also, anything with kids being hurt or threatened scares me. I don't read/watch the news very often.

9. What do you eat for a favorite snack?

Frosted sugar cookies.

10. What movie could you/would you watch more than two or three times and still enjoy just as much as the first time?

Not very many. I don't think I could watch any movie 2-3 times in a row. But there are a few I've seen more than once and enjoyed: The Matrix movies, Heathers, many of the old classic musicals, Dr. Zhivago...

11. What boy/girl first made you cry?

Romantically? I had a terrible time as a child talking to boys, so anytime I fell for one I ended up crying in frustration with myself. As an adult (more or less), probably Rich W. Though not for the reasons you'd think.

12. What brand of coffee/tea do you drink most often?

I don't drink coffee, but I prefer Tetley's breakfast tea.

13. Dig in the dirt with or without garden gloves?

Huh. With. As if I've done that recently!

14. James Taylor or Carly Simon?

And a whole generation of memers says, "Wha...???" I've always like Carly's voice better.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) What time do/did you leave your house for school in the morning? What time does/did your school finish?

It was a 15-20 minute walk from school, regardless of which school; my parents intentionally built the house where they did so that would be true. Hours for elementary school were 8:45-3:15. Junior high was...well, I arrived by 8:00 and I think we were done at 3:30. High school was 8:30ish to 3:00.

Why do I remember this?

2) What sports do you enjoying watching in person? How about on TV?

I like high school and college football when I've got a stake in it. Farm team baseball is also fun. On TV, I love professional football, NASCAR, and the Olympics.

3) Do you have a garden outside your house?

Yes. Mostly perennials and weeds.

4) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. Public Domain Photo

I love me some blue jeans! They are my favorite clothes. This little pocket in the picture though: kind of a waste of fabric. I usually use it for hairbands, earrings (when I've lost the back...or vice versa), or pills I need to take while on the road. I'm old enough to remember that we couldn't wear jeans to school when I was a little girl. How sad is that?

My mom used to talk about how scandalous it was that my sisters were allowed to change into 'dungarees' after church on Sundays in the 50s and 60s so they could play without ruining their good clothes. Her mother-in-law thought that was awful: girls, in jeans, on Sundays.

Herb

You Are Basil

You are a mild mannered person. People feel naturally calm around you. You are warm hearted and loving. You have a close knit circle of friends and family. You have the courage to be who you are in life, even if others disagree. You're proud of your uniqueness. You are good at caring for and healing others. You are naturally soothing.

What Herb Are You?

OK, then sorta.

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in blogroll)

1. Getting FIL settled in his apartment, Halloween, and Sparky's school open house are some of the things I'm most looking forward to in October. (but to be honest, I had to think really hard to come up with this!)

2. Sometimes I want to kill people when they don't follow through on their commitments. I am not exaggerating, not today.

3. Last year, just when I thought I'd accepted the inevitable that we were going to end up with a crap-ass library product, several directors rebelled and refused to go along with the crap; and that's why there is a saying, "never say never"!

4. When I'm down, I want to stay in bed with the covers over my head. I usually end up getting up and wasting a great deal of time, which makes me feel worse.

5. Attached to a computer of some kind is where you'll find me most often.

6. A rainy day is good for sleeping, reading, and making soup.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to this (yes--that is all--I am pathetic tonight), tomorrow my plans include working and maybe getting over to the place FIL is moving into (as of 2:00 this afternoon) and Sunday, I want to DO NOTHING! (But I will be in the yard digging up rhizomes to split and cutting down plants and so forth...which isn't such a bad thing.)

Friday Fill-In

(Link in blogroll)

1. Two of my favorite ingredients in a drink are vodka and lemon!

2. People often amazes me. [Often, not in a good way.]

3. You can keep doing that forever, the dog is immune to your so-called charms.

4. A public library, mix it all together and voila! You have Crazyville!

5. If I had a yard with a garden, I would love to grow roses. [I do have a yard with a garden, but I'm really too lazy to garden properly.]

6. Most food is best au naturel.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to what looks like a great deal of thunder & lightning, tomorrow my plans include meeting with my mentee, cleaning out the inside of the truck, and organizing a closet, and Sunday, I want to enjoy confirmation and youth group!