Friday Feast #191

Appetizer-- What is the nearest big city to your home?

I guess that depends on your definition of a big city. I live just outside of Monroe, Louiisiana which is maybe 65,000 people. The closest really big city would be Dallas, TX, which is about 5 hours west of here.

Soup-- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how well do you keep secrets?

I can keep my mouth shut if I need to, so I would say a 10.

Salad-- Describe your hair (color, texture, length).

My hair is a medium length bob, cut slightly shorter in back. It's blonde, turning gray (or maybe I should say it's gray with some remaining blonde highlights). My hair is soft, baby fine and almost perfectly straight.

Main Course-- What kind of driver are you? Courteous? Aggressive? Slow?

I am very courteous but I have to admit to suffering from road rage. I hate it when people don't use turn signals or won't get over so they don't block traffic. So I guess even though I am a courteous driver, I get angry and frustrated with drivers who do not afford me the same courtesy.

Dessert-- When was the last time you had a really bad week?

What one might call a bad week is all relative to your situation. We all have bad times but there's always something positive happening as well, even if we can't see it at the time.

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Friday Feast #190

Appetizer --When someone smiles at you, do you smile back?

Almost always... smiling is contagious!

Soup --Describe the flooring in your home. Do you have carpet, hardwood, vinyl, a mix?

I have a mix. I have carpet, tile and stained cement.

Salad --Write a sentence with only 5 words, but all of the words have to start with the first letter of your first name.

My mom makes marvelous meatloaf!

Main Course --Do you know anyone whose life has been touched by adoption?

Yes, I know several people personally who were adopted into a family or who adopted a child into their family. I also 'know' one amazing family from reading about their adoption online. You can find their story here. It is filled with love, sadness, courage and hope.

Dessert --Name 2 blue things.

My right eye and my left eye.

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Friday Feast #189

Appetizer-- What was your favorite cartoon when you were a child?

One of the things I loved most as a child was reading the funny pages in the Sunday morning paper. The cartoon I remember most is Dagwood and Blondie. I think Henry and Little Lulu were published in the funnies back then as well. I also remember Pogo, but I never understood what was supposed to be funny about it. I didn't realize until I got older that it wasn't a kid's cartoon.

Soup-- Pretend you are about to get a new pet. Which animal would you pick, and what would you name it?

Right now, I can't even pretend that I would get another pet. I love Ginger, I adore her, I'm closer to her than any pet I've ever had. I also love Mr. Woody K. Nibs, but the two of them are enough and I can't imagine having another pet if something happened to either one of them.

Salad-- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy getting all dressed up for a special occasion?

This is hard. Getting dressed up is something I dread. Once I've done it and gotten to whatever big event prompted it, I'm glad I went to the trouble, but I literally hate the thought of having to do it. So maybe a 2 or 3 at most?

Main Course-- What kind of music do you listen to while you drive?

I love most music genres, rock, pop, oldies, contemporary christian, blues, jazz. Favorite artists include the Beatles, Eagles, Leela James, James Taylor, Carole King among so many others.

Dessert-- When was the last time you bought a clock? And in which room did you put it?

The last clock I bought (as a clock, not one that came with an appliance) was the little one sitting on the mantle in my family room. The last clock that came into my house was with my new coffee maker, which I love, that I got for my birthday. That one is of course in the kitchen!

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Friday Feast #188

Appetizer-- Name something you would categorize as weird.

A member of the U. S. Senate being arrested for doing a gay tap dance in a stall in a men's restroom at the Minneapolis Airport, pleading guilty then claiming he merely has a wide stance!

Soup-- What color was the last piece of food you ate?

Creamy white with caramel streaks and chocolate swirls (Ice cream last night)

Salad-- On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy being alone?

Some days 10 some days 5 or less.

Main Course-- Fill in the blank: I will _________ vote for ___________ in _______.

I will certainly vote for a new president in November.

Dessert-- Describe your sleeping habits.

erratic

Friday Feast #187

Appetizer-- Name a color you find soothing.

I find shades of blue to be calming. They have a serene, peaceful feel to them.

Soup-- Using 20 or less words, describe your first driving experience.

Sitting on Uncle Norman's lap. He worked the pedals and I steered. I was 8 or 9 years old.

Salad-- What material is your favorite item of clothing made out of?

This would have been so easy a few years ago as I lived in denim. Today, I am not so much into denim as I used to be. I suppose my favorite item today would be my leather jacket.

Main Course-- Who is a great singer or musician who, if they were to come to your town for a concert, you would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see?

I'm not so sure that I would spend the night outside waiting for tickets to see anyone at this point in my life. Most of the performers I would love to see are no longer with us. The Beatles, perhaps Elvis, still performing would be James Taylor. Quick story -- we had tickets to see Elvis the last time he performed here in Monroe but our son, an infant at the time, got sick and was hospitalized and we didn't get to go.

Dessert-- What is the most frequent letter of the alphabet in your whole name (first, middle, maiden, last, etc.)?

I have 24 letters in my complete name, 6 each in the first, middle, maiden, and married -- the breakdown of letters is as follows: 2 M's, 3 A's, 4 R's, 2 S's, 1 H, 4 E's, 3 L's, 2 I's, 1 N, 1 O, 1 G -- the R's and E's have it!

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Friday Feast #186

Appetizer-- Invent a new flower; give it a name and describe it.

I don't think I can improve on what Mother Nature has already given us but I think it would be a wildflower, something untamed and unexpected. There would have to be five varieties of course, one for each of my beautiful granddaughters.

Soup-- Name someone whom you think has a wonderful voice.

James Earl Jones

Salad-- On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how clean do you keep your car?

I would say 9. It's generally free of clutter but Ginger rides with me often and she sheds terribly so there is usually dog hair, a bag for trash and you just can't live in Louisiana and not have smooshed bugs on your windshield, no matter how often you clean your car. It's in pretty good shape for a seven year old vehicle inside and out.

Main Course-- How do you feel about poetry?

Are you kidding? Just check out my blog. I may not personally be a great poet but I enjoy it and find it to be a wonderful outlet. I don't necessarily like all poetry. I like what moves me or makes me think. I like Maya Angelou and Mary Oliver among many others. I enjoy all forms of expression for that matter be it art, photography, music, writing and I envy those who make us feel through performing.

Dessert-- What was the last person/place/thing you took a picture of?

Hold on... checking memory card on camera. Yes, I thought so! It is a picture of a neighbor's cat who comes to my house every day to play with Woody K.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

Friday Feast #181 (not to be confused with #189)

*** quick edit here to tell on myself. Right after I posted this feast, I visited a couple of other sites and noticed that they were serving Feast #181. Since I had just posted my Feast #189, I thought what's the matter with these people, can't they keep their numbers straight? Well, the joke is on me because after sleeping on it and coming back this morning, I realized that my last feast was #180. So I'm the one who can't keep numbers straight. I've edited my title to keep it straight but all the comments came to me as Feast #189. lol

Appetizer --Who was the last person you hugged?

My friend Doris at church.

Soup --Share a beauty or grooming trick or tip with us.

Make sure you're born into a family with really great genes for healthy skin and good looks!

Salad --What does the color yellow make you think of?

Egg yolks

Main Course --If you were to make your living as a photographer, what subject would your pictures revolve around?

I love really great nature pictures but also love good portrait photography and then again, the animals are so much fun to capture... and action photos... sigh... I just wish I were a decent everyday photographer.

Dessert --What was the longest book you ever read?

The bible... and I'm still reading it.

Friday Feast #180

Appetizer -Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? If so, what did you do and who was your victim?

Yes, my friend Margaret and I copied pictures of a person that a co-worker of ours detested and put them all over his office. For weeks, every time he opened a drawer or a book, he would come across one of those pictures. We even taped one over the face / head of the man's wife in a family photo on his desk. It was a riot!

Soup -What do your salt and pepper shakers look like?

The set I keep handy for quick use is made of glass with handles and look like small mason jars. When cooking, I have grinders / mills or use from the storage container the salt or pepper came in.


Salad -Where is the next place you plan to visit (on vacation or business)?

I hope to go on a trip to London, Paris and Amsterdam with a group from my church later this year but I'm sure I will be headed to Indiana / Tennessee in May with mom as usual.

Main Course -What kind of lotion or cream do you use to keep your hands from getting too dry?

The only lotion I use is Cetaphil.

Dessert -Make up a dessert, tell us its ingredients, and give it a name.

My dessert would be a no fat, no calories Chocolate Cream Pie. Start with a rich butter crust, filling made of the richest chocolate, eggs, butter, heavy cream, vanilla, sugar, salt; topped with meringue piled a mile high. Did I mention no fat, no calories? Hey, it's my dessert, I made it up so I'm saying it's no fat, no calories!

Friday Feast #179

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Appetizer -Name one thing that is unique about you.

My voice. I had tumors on my larnyx when I was a child and due to surgical trauma my voice has always been hoarse.

Soup -Fill in the blank: My favorite _________ is __________ but I like _________ too.

My favorite color is blue but I like red too.

Salad -What type of wood do you have for your home’s furnishings?

I have several including cherry, oak, walnut and pine.

Main Course -Who do you talk to most often on the phone?

My children.

Dessert -What level of responsibility do you have in your job?

Before I retired, I managed as many as twelve people in an engineering group and had engineering responsibilities when I chose to leave my management position a few years before retirement. I like to think I am the boss at home but Ginger and Mr. Nibs seem to run things despite all my best efforts.

Friday Feast #175

March 17 -- For some reason this never got published. I never formatted it and since it is so late getting posted, I am not going to.

Appetizer
What is your middle name? Would you change any of your names if you could? If so, what would you like to be called?

My middle name is Elaine. I never really cared for it but have finally decided how I felt about it was not important. It's just a name, my mother's choice as was my first name, which I also didn't care for. But it's who I am... it's who my mother chose me to be and that's good enough.

Soup
If you were a fashion designer, which fabrics, colors, and styles would you probably use the most?

Definitely denim and cotton!

Salad
What is your least favorite chore, and why?

I hate drying dishes or conversely emptying the dishwasher. I would much prefer to wash dishes, which seems the harder task, but for some reason, I find it a soothing activity. Maybe the hands in warm water?

Main Course
What is something that really frightens you, and can you trace it back to an event in your life?

I have a fear of bridges... I've traveled many miles out of my way to avoid certain bridges over the years because of my fear. My only recollection is reading a news story when I was very young about a family whose car went over the side of a bridge. I have no idea if that story initiated my fear.

Dessert
Where are you sitting right now? Name 3 things you can see at this moment.

At my computer desk. In front of me is my Cafe Du Monde coffee mug that I purchased many years ago in New Orleans, a stack of books and some favorite pictures.

Friday's Feast #178

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Appetizer -Which snack do you like to get when you go to the movies?

Whatever I can sneak in carry inside of my purse.

Soup -What year did you start using the internet?

1994

Salad -What is your first name in Pig Latin? (Here’s how to speak it if you don’t already know!)

arsha-May

Main Course -Name something you are picky about.

I am picky about how my eggs are cooked (well, just when they are fried). I want the whites completely cooked (no snotty stuff at all) and the yellow runny.

Dessert -Fill in the blanks: I ____ ____ yesterday and I ____ ____ today.

was alive and well --- still am

I was alive and well yesterday and I still am today. (Thank God!)

Friday's Feast #166

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Appetizer -Name a great website you would recommend to others.

hmmmm... so many to choose from. Amazon.com seems to be one of my favorites as I continually go back and place orders on a regular basis. Scrapgirls.com is another I go to daily. Melissa's site, scrappyexpressions.blogspot.com, is another favorite.

Soup -On a scale of 1-10 (with 10 as highest), how often do you dream at night?

A very low number ... probably 1. They tell me that I dream even if I don't remember them, but I seldom have dreams that I remember these past few years. I used to dream (and remember them) all the time.

Salad -Did you have a pet as a child? If so, what kind and what was its name?

We had a dog (that actually was given to my brother on his birthday but she became a family pet), named Susie for about 10 years. She was part cocker / part mutt and a gentle loving creature. She was all black with a white patch on her upper chest. My first cat was all white and I named him Snowball. He was special to me and a gift from a farmer who was a friend of the family.

Main Course -If you had the chance to star in a commercial, what would you choose to advertise?

I would choose something that my granddaughters could do with me so anything that would be appropriate for them to be in.

Dessert -What is your favorite kind of hard candy?

I'm not a huge hard candy fan. I love Tootsie Roll Pops though, that combine hard candy with the soft tootsie roll center if that counts. If I have to pick something else, I guess I would choose plain old butterscotch.

Friday's Feast #165

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Appetizer -If you were a dog, what breed would you be, and why?

A Cocker Spaniel because I think they are the most lovable breed. The eyes make me melt.

Soup -What does the color purple make you think of?

Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey were the first to pop into my head, then my nephew Michael, who gave purple kisses when he was a little boy. I would have to reload him from time to time as he would run out.

Salad -Approximately how long does it take you to get ready each morning?

Get ready for what? (I love being retired!)

Main Course -How many cousins do you have, and are you close to them?

I have 12 on my dad's side of the family and 14 on mom's side. I have 6 step cousins also. I care about them all, but I'm not as close to any of them as I used to be.

Dessert -Take your initials (first, middle, last) and come up with something else those letters could stand for.

MRM First / Maiden / Last (which I normally use) Mildly Romantic Mammal
or
MEM First / Middle / Last (seldom use my middle name) Mischevious Enigmatic Miss

Friday's Feast #164

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Appetizer -When was the last time you were surprised?

When I was asked to be the chairperson of the Mission Team at my church. After a good bit of soul searching, I agreed to accept it. It is a major responsibility.

Soup -Fill in the blanks: My eyes are ________, but I wish they were __________.

My eyes are near 20-20 since having lasik surgery, but I wish they were still able to see close up because I hate having to use reading glasses. (I know, I've whined about this before.)

Salad -If you were a Beanie Baby, what would you look like and what would your name be?

I would be a set of twin lambs and my (our) name would Ewe Two and we would sing and play backup for Bono.

Main Course -Name two things you consistently do that you consider to be healthy habits.

I drink a lot of water and I eat a low fat diet. I can name a couple more... I quit smoking almost 12 years ago and Ginger and I are walking again every day now that the temperatures have cooled back down a bit.

Dessert -What brand of toothpaste are you using these days? Do you like it? Why or why not?

I've used Colgate for years. I have used others at different times but I always go back to Colgate so obviously I like it. I guess I like the way it tastes and it leaves my mouth feeling cool. I'm wondering though why anyone would use a toothpaste they don't like.

Friday's Feast #163

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Appetizer -On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you look forward to your birthday?

I really don't care that much about my birthday anymore. It's really just another day to me. My kids generally make it special in some way, which is nice so that makes it a 5 instead of a 0.

Soup -What is one word you don’t like the sound, spelling, or meaning of?

Words that are used to demean or lessen the value of others. They are not words I use and I see no point in publishing them here.

Salad -Do you wear sunglasses when you’re outside? If so, what does your current pair look like?

Yes, I do. They were made more necessary after lasik surgery several years ago. Mine have a dark copper color frame. The lens are frameless, a sort of coppery brown gradient, darker at the top and lighter at the bottom. I like them.

Main Course -If you were to write a book, to whom would you dedicate it?

That would depend on the book. Most likely it would be someone in my family... one or all of my children or grandchildren or perhaps my mother.

Dessert -Name a beverage that you enjoy.

I really like Minute Maid Light Lemonade. I also drink a lot of water and I'm not averse to a good bloody mary.

Friday's Feast #162

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Appetizer -How are you today?

I'm tired.

Soup -Name 3 television shows you watch on a regular basis.

I watched The Closer and Saving Grace consistently until they started into re-runs. I will probably watch American Idol when it starts.

Salad -What’s the scariest weather situation you've experienced?

Multiple tornados struck throughout the mid-west and south one day in 1974, killing hundreds of people throughout the stricken area. I remember watching nearly a hundred emergency vehicles pass by the office building I was in headed to a school that was destroyed just a couple miles east of where my parents live. The tornado hit moments after the buses had left for the day and the children were all gone from the school. Although there were tornados quite close to my location, we were fine, just a scary situation as you never know where they are going to hit. I was pregnant with my third child and of course I was worried about the girls but knew they were being well cared for.

Main Course -If you could wake up tomorrow morning in another country, where would you want to be?

I'm taking a trip next year to multiple countries in Europe including England, France and Holland with a group from my church. I am looking forward to waking up in any one of those countries.

Dessert -What do you usually wear to sleep?

baggy shorts / pants and shirts or pajamas