Hear me roar!

You Are Powerful

It's true that you seek power, but you don't seek it to rule over others. You just want the freedom to do your own thing. You are strong, independent, and very driven. You prefer to rely on yourself and don't like asking others for help. While you are self-made, you are also willing to help those around you do better. You champion those who have fallen on hard times. More than anything else, you just want to be yourself. You will do almost anything to protect the life you've made.

The Autumn Tree Test

What a weird result considering the events of the last week. It's not all wrong, either, but I mostly picked that tree because I like red-leaved trees in the fall.

The Queen's Meme

(Link in meme-roll)
The Hodgepodge Meme

1. Do you have a favorite chair in your home? Why is it your favorite place to sit?

I love my little corner of the couch. I can do pretty much anything from here, including parts of my job. Plus, I can sleep here.

2. You've been given a billboard space on the highway of life. What is the ONE word you'd place on the billboard to describe your life right now?

"Unplannable"

3. Do you own a string of pearls?

Not real pearls. I'm not a big fan of pearls, really.

4. Whose initials would you carve on a tree?

No one's! Leave the damn trees in peace, people!

5. Could you go without your cellphone for an entire day?

Sure. I've done it on days I've left it either at home or in the car when I get to work.

6. If you could pre-install an app on every human being born today, what would that built-in app be?

Kindness.

Blogthings

You Are Generous

You are a humanitarian, and you love helping the world in as many ways as you can. You are gentle and sensitive. You need the freedom to live your life as you wish without judgment. You have a quiet dignity and natural calm about you. People find you alluring, and even mysterious. While you love to give back, you shy away from any glory or recognition. Many of your good deeds tend to be anonymous.

The Cherry Blossom Test

Alluring, eh? Not so much. But I do like to do anonymous stuff for others.

Blogthings

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You Are an Oak Tree

You are steady in your beliefs and actions. You aren't the kind of person who is easily swayed. You are very loyal to your friends and family. You will stick with them through thick and thin. Above all else, you are able to endure and stay the course. You settle in and dig deep. You are capable of great things, especially anything that requires patience. You stay the course. You tend to be a nester and a bit of a homebody. You prefer the comforts of home to the outside world. You are self-contained and happy to spend plenty of time alone. You enjoy being social too, but you just don't require it.

What Kind of Tree Are You?

Well, ain't this just peachy! As I type this, I'm exhibiting all of these traits as well as (more) biting of my tongue and extreme nausea. I hate it. But there ya go....

Friday Fill-Ins

(Link in meme-roll)

1. Sleigh bells ring somewhere far from here where there is snow on the ground.

2. It's coming on Christmas, they're cutting down trees but not for me; we have a fake tree.

3. You're a mean one Mr. Grinch.

4. Father Christmas is a funny book.

5. Silent night is more likely for me when wearing earplugs.

6. All I want for Christmas is a quiet, boring day on the 25th!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to hanging out with my boys, tomorrow my plans include wedding shopping, and attending a wedding, and Sunday, I want to have a good time with the youth group grads!

Tree

You Are an Autumn Tree

You are contemplative and deep. You enjoy observing the world around you. You know that change is inevitable, and you try to roll with whatever life brings. You can see the extraordinary in the ordinary. You are easily inspired. You try to remain balanced and steady in the face of upheaval.

What Season Tree Are You?

Houston, we have a winner!! I love autumn, and if that last line doesn't hit the nail on the head, I don't know what does.

Tree

You Are Kind and Sensitive

You relate to others easily. You have many friends, and you love making their lives better. You are genuinely warm and radiant. People feel comforted by your presence. Becoming a better person is something you think about every day. You want to be interesting, insightful, and special. You need love more than most people in the world. You're willing to love those who don't love you in return.

The Tree Test

So, I can't speak to the first sections, but the rest seems a little not right.

Alternative Saturday Six

(Link in blogroll)
Weirdness

1. Have you ever licked the crayon dust off a blackboard?

Crayon?! This must be one of those doesn't-translate-over-the-ocean words. How about chalk? No, though I've gotten chalk dust in my mouth innumerable times by clapping the erasers together somewhat energetically.

2. Do you have socks on at the moment?

I do not.

3. Have you ever tripped over thin air!?

Few days pass when I don't do this. I'm really not coordinated sometimes.

4. What’s your favourite animal?

I was going to be cute and say 'humans' but then I realized that wasn't really true. So, wolves.

5. What’s your favourite tree?

The crapapple tree in the front yard of the house in which I grew up. And, generally, pine/spruce/fir trees.

6. What was the last thing you ate?

Wheat Thins with almond-swiss cheese spread, i.e., brunch.

RevGalBlogPals Friday Five

(Link in blogroll)
Johnny Appleseed

Raise your hand if you know that today is Johnny Appleseed Day!

September 26, 1774 was his birthday. "Johnny Appleseed" (John Chapman) is one of America's great legends. He was a nurseryman who started out planting trees in western New York and Pennsylvania, but he was among those who were captivated by the movement west across the continent.

As Johnny traveled west (at that time, the "West" was places like Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Illinois) he planted apple trees and sold trees to settlers. With every apple tree that was planted, the legend grew. A devout Christian, he was known to preach during his travels. According to legend, Johny Appleseed led a simple life and wanted little. He rarely accepted money and often donated any money he received to churches or charities. He planted hundreds of orchards, considering it his service to humankind. There is some link between Johny Appleseed and very early Arbor Day celebrations.

So, in honor of this interesting fellow, let's get on with the questions!

1. What is your favorite apple dish? (BIG BONUS points if you share the recipe.)

Apple Crumble. It is absolutely the easiest dessert to make, hands down. Here's a recipe that's basically the one I use.

2. Have you ever planted a tree? If so was there a special reason or occasion you can tell us about?

I've planted lots of trees. One must always plant an empty tin can and a fish in the hole with the tree, by the way. It's good luck. Or something.

3. Does the idea of roaming around the countryside (preaching or otherwise) appeal to you? Why or why not?

No. I like to know where I'm going to be, and I like my home. I'm not a non-stop roamer, though I do like to travel. If I could travel in an RV, that would be fine...for awhile.

4. Who is a favorite "historical legend" of yours?

I always had a thing for Paul Bunyan. And also John Henry. Who wouldn't love a steel-drivin' man? :-)

5. Johnny Appleseed was said to sing to keep up his spirits as he traveled the roads of the west. Do you have a song that comes when you are trying to be cheerful, or is there something else that you often do?

I whistle a lot, not necessarily to cheer myself up. If I were traveling, I have to say I'd probably be doing "This Land is My Land" a lot.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) How often do you see your parents? Would you rather see them more often, less often, or about as often as you currently see them?

I see my mom every couple of years. Dad died 13 years ago. I'd like to see them, as they were when I was Sparky's age, more often, but yeah.....not bloody likely!

2) What do you most like or appreciate about the opposite sex?

Besides the obvious physical characteristic(s)...? :-) Uh, I actually like the fact that with (most) men, what you see/hear is what you get. There's not the level of game-playing (usually) there is with (many) women.

3) With which person from history would you choose to change places?

Permanently? No thanks. Temporarily, I'd like to swap with one of my grandmothers.

4) What is the emptiest part of your life?

My personal time is pretty chewed up. I'm not really liking anyone in my family right now, either.

5) 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

It looks like sunup in the woods, very peaceful.

Except the other mental picture I have is my eldest nephew riding his go-cart through woods like this when he was a teenager. Not so peaceful. ;-)

Nuts

You Are A Peanut

You are popular, even with people who tend to have picky taste. Kids love you, as do dogs. From rednecks to snobs, most people have a place for you in their hearts. As popular as you are, there are some people who can't be near you. Don't take it too personally. There's just a few people you rub the wrong way.

What Nut Are You?

OK, I'm boring. I wanted to be a pecan....or something really weird like a hazelnut.

Curious as a Cat

(Link in blogroll)

1) If you spoke English with an accent other than the one you currently have, how would you chose to sound?

I'd love to have a faint Italian or Russian accent. Don't ask me why....

2) Be honest: how do you feel about people who smoke?

I don't understand how you can start smoking nowadays, knowing all the health problems smoking causes. It confuses me. I give older people a bit of a pass since I do understand how difficult it is to stop. Generally, I just wish people wouldn't do it since it makes it hard for me (and ultimately them) to breathe. I guess I mostly feel sorry for smokers, except for those who leave their butts all over the place. Yuck!

3) Whose death touched your own sense of mortality the most?

My sister's. She was way too young and vital to die when she did. And I was old enough to 'get it.'

4) What has been the most difficult promise you have ever kept? Why?

"To love, honor, and cherish...as long as we both shall live." There are days when those are the last things I want to do.

5) Show and Tell. What comes to mind first when you see this picture? Or, tell a story if it reminds you of one. Photo © Cat. 2007

This was taken last summer in our front yard. The tree is a newly-planted pear tree, and those critters are cicadas. We were inundated; they are truly hideous-looking creatures that somehow also manage to be fascinating. Their wings are amazingly complex.
I like this photo, beyond the obvious weirdness factor, because of how green everything looks. It gives me hope that spring (and summer) will come again. Eventually.

Speaking of green: Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!!

Friday Fill-In

(Link at left)

1. If I were a tree I would be a Douglas fir because they are tall, strong, evergreen...and dying out.

2. If I were a bird I would fly over the White House, and poop in a timely manner.

3. If I were a book I hope I would be well-written, grammatically proficient, and edited.

4. If I were a car I'd be a jeep for similar reasons to for those given in #1.

5. If I could get rid of one piece of technology it would definitely be secret surveillance equipment because I don't like sneaks.

6. If I could get rid of one bad habit at a snap of the fingers it would be , ironically, biting my nails.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight Friday night I'm looking forward to the high school football game, tomorrow Saturday my plans include mentoring, cleaning the house, and grocery shopping (among other things), and Sunday, I want to sleep, which is not what I'll be doing. I will be doing a lot of church-related stuff, and trying not to panic about youth group stuff!