The Royal Banana

Mercedes gifted me with this award and I would like to pass it on to Linda from This & That and to Gill at Gill's Jottings. Both are good people that I only know through blogging but am convinced that I would also enjoy knowing them IRL.



Thanks Mercedes!

Light Housekeeping

I finally got around to updating my sidebar with a few minor changes. There was outdated information in some sections and I wanted to add a spot for awards and change a couple of others. I still need to verify and correct any outdated links I might have but I got a late start this morning and that will just have to wait.

The awards section is missing a few as I received some while working from my laptop, which went kerplunk earlier this year. I had all critical data from the laptop backed up but unfortunately, with all the travel and general busy-ness in my life the past year or so, I missed getting a few things stored to a secondary site. So if you sent me an award and it is not there, I apologize. I value them all and the thought and generous, caring nature behind them but alas, I am human and sometimes fail. That's why I decided to go ahead and get the section up -- before I lose any others.

You may now proceed with your regulary scheduled browsing and perusing of this site!

Friday Feast #185

Appetizer-- What does the color dark green make you think of?

Nature. There are so many beautiful shades of green emerging from winter's slumber right now. You can almost smell the green.


Soup-- How many cousins do you have?

I have a total of 32 (surviving infancy) first cousins. There are 14 on my mother's side of the family, 12 on my dad's side of the family, and 6 step cousins from my step-dad's family (my father died at a very young age).


Salad-- On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how honest are you?

I certainly believe that honesty is the best policy so in keeping with that policy, I would say I am an 8... well, most of the time! lol


Main Course-- Name something that is truly free.

uhhhh... butterflies?


Dessert-- Using the letters in the word SPRING, write a sentence.

Softly pattering rain invites new growth.

Thanks for the responses last week to my little question about how you go about answering these questions. It seems as if most of us answer the majority of questions based on our mood at the time and our answers to those questions would likely vary from day to day. The results were of course obtained by a highly scientific method, I read your responses and added them up! My math is still fairly good! I also think we came to a general consensus that this is all for fun and that how we answer these questions is not as important as our enjoyment of the process.

Click here if you would like to participate or to find links to others serving up a Friday Feast.

15 Words or Less - Roll 'em

This week, Laura's challenge is to "shake the words in your head, roll them, and see what comes out!"



The photo this week took me towards a gambling theme and brought out a negative and defeatist attitude in me. Maybe because I don't enjoy taking risks or gambling. I'm really bad at it and I generally lose when I do. I can be very competitive at games and play to win and I generally do well if some skill is involved. I just don't seem to have that blind luck some people do and I can't stand going through the losing part to possibly win something down the line. Maybe I just don't know how to make luck or maybe there is a skill to gambling that I just don't have. Whatever, I generally avoid risking anything other than time on games of chance.

Sorry to sound so negative but this is what I came up with this week.

#1
Throw 'em down baby,
take yer chance!
Roll the dice lady,
it's just a dance!

#2
Johnny Mathis in her head;
"Roll'em", the voices said,
"Chances Are you'll soon be dead".

#3
You roll the dice; you lose the game;
you cheat yourself; who's to blame?

Don't worry y'all... I'm laughing at these entries and wondering why I was pulled in this direction instead of towards games that I enjoy! Must be something psychotic psychological going on in my brain this morning!

Wordless Wednesday

These pictures were taken in August, 2004 in the area of the baptismal site established on the Jordan River in Israel near where experts believe Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist. I was surprised at how green and lush the area was, even in the scorching heat of the season. Some members of our church were among a small group of tourists back in the area for the first time since September 11, 2001. Most of us chose to re-dedicate and recommit our lives and service to Christ through a ceremonial baptismal service there.

I plan to return someday.

Learn more about Wordless Wednesday, and find the blogroll of others who are participating here.

Fourteen!

I am posting this just a little bit early. Emily's birthday is tomorrow, the 23rd day of March, one day after mine! I adore Emily. She is one of my five favorite granddaughters!

Earlier today, I decided I wanted to do a scrap type page of a picture of Emily and I together from almost 8 years ago. That summer, each of my granddaughters who live in Bossier came over to spend a weekend with me. The memories and pictures from those weekends count among the best in my life. Each one of them came separately, which was and still is a big deal as they were all mama's girls and real homebodies. I tried to do special things with each of them while they were here and let them choose how we spent most of our time together. The pictures were a lot of fun, because I took them while posing with the girls trying to keep the camera still and focused while holding my arm out far enough away to get the shots. The girls took a few shots too.

As I looked through the photos from those weekends, I realized that the memories had started fading for me. It bothers me to feel like I'm losing those times and the older I get, the more I seem to need reminders of what took place at certain times. I'm glad I have those pictures! Those fading memories also gave me the tag line I used on this image.

I love you Emily. I am so glad to have the memories from this long ago weekend with you. There are so many more that I hold dear and I look forward to all those that will come in the future. You truly are a cherished member of my life.

(click on the image to see a larger version)

Happy Birthday to my sweet Emmy!

The Face Of Sixty-One

Today is my birthday. I'm sixty-one years old today. Sometimes I still feel just like I did when I was a young child, at play, eager and learning something new every day; sometimes I still feel like I did when I was a teenager, carefree and experiencing those first innocent tastes of what adulthood and a life of responsibility would bring; sometimes I'm still the young bride who believed she would forever be with the love of her life or the young mother, who learned quickly that there were lives far more important than her own; sometimes I still feel like that woman in early middle-age, struggling with growing children, a loss of love, trying to balance family and a demanding job and the unfairness of the world; sometimes I actually feel my own age, appreciative with thankfully only a few aches and pains and more thankfully only a handful of regrets; sometimes **gasp** I feel even older, bent and tired when I let the aches and pains and regrets get to me! The only thing that surprises me anymore is how quickly time seems to move and just how inhumane human beings can actually be towards one another. But those are topics for another day.

Today, I am posting a picture of me. Okay it's not really the face of sixty-one as it was taken almost three years ago... but I really haven't changed that much in less than three years and I don't have a more recent photo that was professionally taken. I will admit that it helps to know your way around Paint Shop Pro (or Photoshop if that is your graphic weapon of choice). A little gaussian blur blend layer works for most portraits. This photo was done by Olan Mills for our church directory so it needed only a slight blur. I used it with a scrap tutorial that came through one of my groups. I seldom, if ever, use photos of me to do these things with and decided that I would post this for my birthday when it came around.

So here I am, looking life square in the eyes!




Tomorrow is my granddaughter Emily's birthday. She will be 14. I'm going to their house in Bossier City for a combined birthday celebration and Easter dinner and to make Emily a chocolate pie (yes, from scratch, the one from my good old standby Betty Crocker cookbook) with meringue piled as high as we make it! My son John will be there too. My daughter and granddaughters in Florida will call. How I wish they could be there in person too. I hate the distance that separates us, but learned after moving away from my family and hometown years ago, that distance doesn't change how much you love one another only how often you get to see each other.

What advice do I have to offer after sixty-one years? Just to look life square in the eyes and to take each day as it comes. I really wish I was better at that!

Friday Feast #184

Appetizer-- Given the choice, would you prefer to live in the country or in the city?

I've mostly lived in suburban areas during my lifetime and I longed to live farther out in the country when I was younger and raising children. My ex-husband preferred city or closer in so we always lived where he wanted based on proximity to his work. It's funny that now he lives farther out than I do! As I get older, I see distinct advantages to living in town. I'm not sure that's really my preference, just that it might make things easier for me down the line.

Soup-- Who is the cutest kid you know?

I have the five cutest, absolutely adorable, gifted and beautiful granddaughters in the world. I'm not sure what the point of this question is or how I could possibly name one over the others or some other child over any of them!

Salad-- Fill in the blank: I couldn’t believe it when I heard ___________.

I'm sure there has to be something appropriate that I could mention but the only things I can think of right now are extremely personal and best left unmentioned on this very public blog.

Main Course-- If you could star in a commercial for one of your favorite products, which one would you want to advertise?

It would probably be food related. I just am not sure what food product or perhaps even a restaurant I would choose to pimp myself out for. Then again, I could choose something to do with music or computers. I guess I could sell out for several things, depending on the compensation involved!

Dessert-- What type(s) of vitamins and/or supplements do you take on a regular basis?

Calcium and a vitamin B 100 Complex. I've taken others over time but they were dropped once I felt that there was no benefit for me in taking them.

Just pondering - It seems to me that my answers to these exact same questions or most of them would probably be different on any other given day. It's like that on most of my feasts. There are only a few questions where my answers would be absolute and unlikely to change over time or mood shifts. Is it the same for you or do your answers tend to be absolute?

Click here if you would like to participate or to find links to others serving up a Friday Feast.

15 Words or Less - Canada Geese

This week, Laura's challenge is to write about Canada Geese, using the photo below as inspiration. As always, we must write about the subject in 15 words or less. I wrote two entries this week. Again, nothing stellar, just the first thing / words I could come up with after viewing this photo.



Attempt #1
They move in harmony,
wings flapping silently,
energizing those behind;
a community headed home.


Attempt #2
I stretch my neck to see the flock of geese flying homeward high above me.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Today would have been Fred Rogers, of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, 80th birthday. I remember when he first came to television on our local PBS station in Muncie, Indiana. Many people made fun of Mr. Rogers and his gentle ways but children loved him. My children loved him. He was a big part of their early childhood.

People are being asked to celebrate this day by wearing a sweater, which was part of Fred Rogers trademark look. You can read more about Fred Rogers and find information on a project to honor his memory by clicking on the image below or clicking here.



Happy Birthday Fred!

heading off to find a sweater!

Wordless Wednesday - Whoa!

The unspoken message here of course is that we all need to slow down.

Play Wordless Wednesday

photo credit: Cindy_47452 (Cindy takes amazing pictures from her perspective in south central Indiana including many Amish photos. Her work is worth checking out!)

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A New Animation

I'm not really big into animation although I've done many animated tags in the past. I decided to try this one since I hadn't done one in awhile. It's based on a tutorial that came through one of my groups from Sweet's site. I decided to post it here since I haven't put any animations up on the blog before. Not one of my best but I like the subject I chose for this one!

Friday Feast #183

Appetizer-- On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how much do you like your own handwriting?

Probably an 8 or 9. I like my handwriting (printed and cursive) but I can get a little sloppy on occasion so I wouldn't say a 10. As a matter of fact, I got a compliment today on my handwriting.

Soup-- Do you prefer baths or showers?

Showers. I used to love to soak in a leisurely bath and occasionally still do. Nowadays however, I find it far more convenient and invigorating to shower so I prefer to start my day that way. When I want the luxury of a bath, I prefer to do so at night.

Salad-- What was the last bad movie you watched?

I hated that penguin movie -- Happy Feet -- I just thought it was really dumb although Kayla, my granddaughter, loved it!


Main Course-- Name something you are addicted to and describe how it affects your life.

See Addicted or all posts labeled Paint Shop Pro.


Dessert-- Which instrument is your favorite to listen to?

Wow! This is tough for me because I love so many different sounds and the instruments that produce them. I guess the piano and acoustic guitar would be my favorites. I also love to listen to flute, violin, clarinet, oboe, saxophone and Yo Yo Ma on the cello. My daughter has also turned me onto bagpipes. I guess it's really a mood thing for me.

Go here if you would like to participate or to find links to others serving up a Friday Feast.

15 Words or Less - Icicles

Each week, Laura issues a challenge in the form of a photo of an ordinary or not so ordinary item that participants are to write a poem about using 15 words or less. This week the photo is of icicles hanging from eaves. This week (so far), I have three entries to offer. Each week I continue to enjoy this exercise at limiting myself to 15 words about a particular subject. It forces me to focus on the subject at hand. I think that is a good exercise in particular for those of us entering the olden golden years.



Attempt 1
ice forms then melts;
day breaks then falls;
winter turns to spring;
life keeps changing.

Attempt 2
sunlight glistening upon ice
as cool blues and glassy whites
drip into muddy puddles below.

Attempt 3
daggers hanging from the eaves
threaten me as I leave.
don't fall! don't fall!

Wordless Wednesday

Play Wordless Wednesday

photo credit: Cindy_47452

International Women's Day - 2008

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY - 8 MARCH 2008

15,000 women marched through New York City in 1908 demanding shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. 100 years on, the pertinence of this event is honored through IWD's 2008 global theme 'Shaping Progress'.

Click on the logo to go to the IWD 2008 site to get informed and to read
messages of hope and encouragement for all women around the world.

Friday Feast #182

Appetizer -- If you could be any current celebrity for one whole week, who would you want to be?

hmmmm, I think Miley Cyrus. She's young, talented and beautiful and I think it would please my granddaughters to have access to me her for a week!

Soup -- On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 being highest), how much do you enjoy talking on the phone?

About a 2 or 3. I do not like to talk on the phone, although I seem to talk for long periods of time when I do. The kicker is that I worked for a phone company for 23 years before I retired.

Salad -- Name a charitable organization to which you have donated (or would like to).

There are several but I don't see much point in listing specifics here. I have strong interests in cancer research, cerebral palsy, missions, my home church, several children's hospitals to name a few.

Main Course -- What is a food you like so much you could eat it every single day for a month?

I could eat mashed potatoes three times a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year and ask for more!

Dessert -- Have you or anyone in your family had the flu this year?

I haven't had the flu this year. I did suffer from what was probably allergy related problems when I was in Florida in late January and early February. My symptoms were similar to the flu I had last year when I was there but nowhere near as severe. No fever, chills, aches or pains. Just serious congestion and sinus drainage that plagued me, which was probably due to the pollen.

Talk About Poetic License - The Story of Eddie the Hare!

Robin, the Pensieve one, hosts Pensieve Poetic License each month with a different form and theme. This month, March, the form is limericks and instead of a specific theme, we are to use one or more of the following key words: green, irish, leprechaun, shamrock, Easter, Spring, kite, windy. Once I got started, I got a little carried away and turned my efforts at creating limericks into a saga about a bunny named Eddie. I have no illusions about the greatness of my creation but I had a blast writing this, which as I keep saying, is the most important thing to me.

It was spring of 2008;
Easter came early not late.
The bunny, named Eddie,
Couldn't get ready
So he just didn't come on that date!

The kids were all mad at the bunny
The parents demanded a return of their money
But Eddie said no
Even though he didn't show
And said, "let them all eat honey!"

His boss said this just ain't right
The kids should be filled with delight
So on this day
I just have to say,
"You're fired, now go fly a kite!"

Eddie foolishly said I don't care
I'm really a marvelous hare
I'll enter a race
I'll set the pace
But he lost to a tortise named Cher

Now poor Eddie started to whine
He realized that he'd crossed the line
So he told all he was sorry
I'll bring the eggs tomorry (poetic license)
And he was rehired for 2009.

15 Words Or Less - Swings

Each week, Laura issues a challenge in the form of a photo of an ordinary or not so ordinary item that participants are to write a poem about using 15 words or less. This week the photo is of an empty swing. Once again, I have a couple of entries to offer. I have to say I am enjoying this. Being limited to 15 words makes you think about how to say what you want to communicate succinctly and to the point.




My first effort:
Empty swing
Swaying back and forth
Carrying memories
Of what's been lost.

Second attempt:
Swings carry you
High enough to dream
Then bring you back
To realize them.

Winter Weather

Right now at 6:20 pm, it's a balmy 63° here in Monroe, Louisiana. Get this, we have a winter storm warning out for tonight and tomorrow! We have a good possibility of sleet, freezing rain and even some snowfall, although I would be surprised to see more than a few flakes if that. It's all supposed to move in, starting with rainfall in a couple of hours. This time tomorrow, Woody, Ginger and I could be freezing our tails (well, literally theirs but only figuratively mine as I don't really have a tail) off.

I know my granddaughters in Bossier have to be excited. School gets cancelled with the hint of winter weather here... and for good reason. I stay off the roads when it gets icy or snowy here, not because I can't handle it, I grew up in winter weather and learned to drive in it. No, I stay off the roads because the drivers here don't know how to drive in it!

I plan to wrap up in a blanket in a few minutes and see who stays and who leaves on AI.

Stay warm all!

Wordless Wednesday

Play Wordless Wednesday

Love You Forever

I came across this video at Heather's Faithful Froggers blog. Let me just warn you that a hanky alert is being issued. The video is comprised of various people reading from a children's book entitled Love You Forever about a mother and her son over the years. Let's just say that even the readers struggled a bit towards the end.



John (and Jamie and Dee), if you read this, know that I didn't try to rock you when you were a teenager but I wanted to (well sometimes)! Although I would never go back, I sometimes miss the children you were when you were little. Know that I love you all... forever! Mom

March Wind

I do not know who wrote this poem. I have seen it used several times with no credit given and even a google search failed to turn up an author. I thought it worked well against this background and particularly in my life right now as March has definitely come roaring into Louisiana.

Ain't She Beautiful?

No it's not one of my granddaughters... although they are all beautiful too!

This picture was taken yesterday. We were both bored, Ginger and I, because it rained again so I got my camera out and took pictures of the animals. I could tell just how bored Ginger was because she actually cooperated with me!

Mr. Nibs pictures were cute but he was behind a dirty window that really distracts from the photos so I probably won't post any of his. I would clean the window but I don't think I'm that bored!