Sunday, February 15th, 2009
4:45 A.M.



Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Be mine ::....won't you?
2. Ecstatic :: Happy
3. Orderly :: Systematic
4. Sebastian :: Cabot [actor]
5. Sore :: Canker
6. Don’t need :: Help
7. Rockstar :: Lyrics -Hey now..."you're a rockstar"

Hey now you're a Rock Star get the show on get paid
(And all that glitters is gold)
Only shooting stars break the mold

8. Tinfoil :: Reynold's Wrap
9. Addiction :: Dependency
10. Where? :: "X" marks the spot!!


~...End Unconscious Mutterings
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip my 2nd meme & Sunday Blog on Economy below]


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Cheers to all us thieves!

Sunday Stealing: The Q & A Meme

1. where is your significant other? In bed, sleeping
2. your favorite thing? Too many to list.
3. your dream last night? Can't remember if I even had one.
4. your goal? Right now, to get dressed and out of my p j's.
5. your hobby? Crocheting
6. where do you want to be in 6 years? Alive!!
7. where were you last night? Why? Do I need an alibi?'!! In the living room, reading. That's my final answer, and I'm sticking to it!!
8. what you're not? A man.
9. one of your wish list items? To get me another piano. Wish I'd never sold mine.
10. your pet? Two cats.
11. missing someone? Nah....phone calls help
12. your car? Red...with gold cloth interior.
13. something you're not wearing? Makeup
14. love someone? Of course, don't you?
15. when is the last time you laughed? Yesterday
16. last time you cried? During a sad movie.
17. favorite past time? Walking on the beach!
18. are you a hater or a lover? 99% Lover.
19. any vices? Of course, we all have vices.
20. favorite meme other than Sunday Stealing? Photo Hunt


~...end Sunday Stealing Meme
[comment HERE if you'd like to skip the continuation of my Sunday Blog on Economy below]









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....talking about the world state of economy, I think we are probably just as guilty as the country's government and ceo's of banks or large corporations. Don't you? Can we put all the blame on them? No, I think not. Tho, probably some would disagree. Ya, I'm still biting at the bit to know that these huge banks and companies would even think of celebrating Bush's stimulus back when, and then go and celebrate the bail out with mega-bucks parties. WITH THE BAIL OUT monies. But think about this if you will. Years and years ago I told Bud that this will all come to a screeching halt someday and we'll [as a country] be in a deep depression! The average consumer doesn't understand it....buying is not prestige it's contributing to the global economy crisis if you have to buy on CREDIT!!! How many times have you read or listened to a part of the news when a new Play Station came out on the market? Or X-Box? Tivo, Wii, Blue Ray, HDTV, flat panel TVs? And the lines of consumers would actually camp out in front of the stores so they made sure they got the newest and just released game player? Thousands across the nation would do just that. And how did they pay for this? No doubt on 'plastic'. Yes, charged it. Then, buy buy buy more items on the same card. Paying interest, huge amounts of interest, each and every blessed month with making just the minimum payment. And eventually 'maxing out' the amount of credit allowed on a particular card...then, if the consumer is crazy enough...they start using another one from a different creditor!!
I really don't know what the maximum credit is these days, 'cause I don't use them. If I don't have the money that is needed for an item, I don't buy it!! It's that simple. Think of this. Say your maximum on just one card is $10,000.00. And you make the minimal payment each month, plus the interest of say 21%.....the shortest allotted time to pay it off would be approximately 119 months!!! Yes....Nearly 10 years. And of course, once one would get it down so far as to lower the minimum required payment, they go and purchase the NEWEST version of something else...so it's a lose lose situation. The consumer, if they had a good head on their shoulders, would look at the Playstations [or any other 'hot' new item] and say to themselves "We don't really need this"....or "What will tomorrow bring? Maybe we should wait and see if there is a huge medical expense in our future, or get laid off our jobs." And stop and think about this...if you were to take say, $20 each month to save for something that would cost $500...to pay cash for it....it would take you approximately TWO years!!! You wouldn't have the debt and high interest...and it'd not contribute to the bank's exorbitant, consumer cost of their high interest rates....think about it, two years and it's all yours by cash...or TEN years trying to pay off more on the credit card that you maxed out charging your purchases that grew and grew and grew because of the 'minimum' payments.

Now there are job layoffs galore!!! Banks are hurting...credit card companies. Why? 'Cause they allowed those consumers to do just what they're doing...buying on credit that neither has the money to keep the economy going strong.

I remember 8 track tapes. And how everyone needed 'em. Heck, I can go back as far as a television set first coming to the markets. Everyone wanted one...all because the "Jones's" had one. I also remember when a car was built in the 50's....and it would LAST forever. Now it seems the cars go strong for the warranted time, then break down. All the engines and all the components of a vehicle these days are controlled by computer chips....there is no way an owner can actually get under the hood to fix them like the 'good ol' days'. Okay...so buying a TV set back in the 50's - that was the 'in' thing to do. 8 tracks. Then, cassette players, then CD's. For movies, it was first beta...then, VHS...then DVD's. Now it's a new thing again...Blue Ray. Have you considered this too? Have you seen the cost of the players? Ranging from about $500.00 for them, on the average? And to top that off, even at Wal Mart...the Blue Ray Discs are averaging $30 comparing to $15 for the simpler DVDs? It's like....the one that dies with the most toys is the winner mentality. Oh yes, and the 'gas hogs'...everyone wanted an SUV. Then, the stock market and the oil speculators jacked up the price of a barrel of oil...and gas cost went 'out of this world'...SUVs are not even selling on the dealership lots anymore...

And I read the stock reports that Wal Mart is enjoying a great comeback because the smaller businesses are going belly up....it's sad that smaller companies can no longer afford to stay around, but hey....if you see one item in a store selling for $100, and the very same item is going for $85 at Wal Mart...would you pay the $100 or would you buy at Wal Mart? The smaller businesses have to bite the bullet and lower prices or they're outta here.

What I'm trying to say is, it's not all the market, and the CEOs...it is also partly to blame by the consumer who allowed themselves to be 'hornswaggled' into keeping up with the "Jones's" and buying way beyond their limits! "Needing" all the latest and up to date --gadgets. In the past two decades or so....the term 'budget' went out the window and it was buy, buy, buy....on credit!!! It's all about NOT overspending...beyond your budget. What happened to the days when people paid cash for an item...and if they didn't have the money for it then, saved for it....or didn't buy it at all. This goes for the typical consumer AND the government.

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It's just not only the American soil either...I wince every time I see news and starving people dressed in rags...and the countries' government or leaders of the 3rd world live in palaces and immense communes. It's all wrong...what's wrong with this picture?

Blue Ray Players....I can't understand why anyone would waste good hard earned money on another 'gimmick'...when the DVD players aren't even broken!

§ Texas is part of the Southern Bible Belt----

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SUNDAY STEALING:


1. Where are you from? I really want to answer by typing "My mom and dad"!!! But like my sidebar states...born in hicksville---Nebraska.

2. If you could live any place in the world, where would you live? I think I already do...in my own little world.

3. What's your favorite blog? I'll check them out of course! I have no favorites...actually, my favorite blog pastime is reading my comments...so, comment away folks!!

4. What is your biggest blogging pet peeve? Word Verificiation/Captcha...as many times as I've read on other blogs about the 'pain in the butt' they really are, I must agree. It takes away from those who really like to comment but don't have that much time to try and read/decipher some of those!! Some are so difficult to figure out and it takes several attempts to get it right; and if that's the case, I leave without commenting.

5. What's your favorite TV show this season? I need a new show! :) I faithfully watch only two...NCIS [which the season opener left a lot to be desired.] And, Big Bang Theory...omg...it was a bit on the risque side for the season opener, but well done to not disturb anyone. At least I think.

6. What's your favorite 'down' time {nothing computer related}? Reading or Beach...depends on the day, the time and the condition of the weather.

7. Are you a parent? If so, what's your favorite thing to do with your children? HA!!! My 'children' are adults in their late 30's and early 40's....they're not living with us any longer [thank goodness!] If I'm around them, which is very seldom, I like just to talk and catch up on what's happenin'!

8. What about your blog, have you considered changing? Why? I like my blogging style...I change 'decor' but not 'style of blogging'. Yet, sometimes I could say 'Depends'...but that would read like I'm using 'em....Depends/changing? Oh never mind!!

9. What do you do for a living (if you work outside the home or if you work at home)? Retired.

10. What is your favorite song at the moment? What is your favorite song ever? There are WAY TOO MANY to have a favorite. Seriously. I love music...period!!!

11. What is your favorite niche TV channel to watch? Most likely USA when baseball is in the off season....if it's baseball season it's ESPN/or FOXSouthwestNetwork [FSN].

12. If you could have any career, what would it be and why? None....like I said, retired and lovin' it.

13. What is your favorite outfit? Blue jeans and a T-shirt.

14. If you could tell your teenage self something, what would you say? I can go back to a younger age...just have fun without harming anyone!! Keep the child in you!!!

15. What is your biggest blog pet peeve? At this very moment while filling this out...I could easily say "repetitive" meme questions!!!! That is a recycled question I believe...SEE #4

16. What is your favorite recipe? Take love, add sugar and spice, stir in some fun, and mix well!!!

17. What is the funniest joke you've ever heard? I think that's impossible to actually put here...it's not a joke per sé, but a cartoon...from Playboy many decades ago. I tore it out and still have it...but I won't scan it as it's falling apart....I'll try to explain it tho for ya'----There is a judge in his robe behind his desk...the jury box is filled, the accused is standing in front of the judge---naked and a man---the judge releases him for "LACK OF EVIDENCE". Get the picture?

18. What is your favorite vacation spot and why? I always loved going to the beach resorts in Old Mexico, from Cancun to Puerto Valarta to Mazatlan and others...but I wouldn't go there now if they paid me!!!

19. What are you most excited about with fall here? Cooler weather so we can get out, drive the countryside and enjoy the milder temps...too hot to go anywhere far in the summers.

20. Did you envision yourself to be where you are today ten years ago? If not, what did you envision? First, I don't look that far ahead...that way if nothing pans out, I'm not disappointed. Second, my life is where I want it to be.

21. If money were no object, what would your dream house look like? We've had similar questions such as this before....and my answer hasn't changed...a huge open floor-plan house with glass walls facing the Pacific Ocean on a hill...with no neighbors or obstructions for miles and miles!!!

22. What is your all-time favorite Disney movie? PIRATES OF THE CARRIBEAN - Black Pearl. AND!!! National Treasure.

23. What's your favorite blog to read? Or a blog you think isn't getting enough notice? Again, redundant from another question above ---Number 3. Which makes me wonder just what the meme'r was on when making up the questions we stole!!!! And it's NOT Judd....these are stolen, remember-----copied and pasted into Sunday Stealing!!!

END OF SUNDAY STEALING.
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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY


Remember what you learned when just a little one? Y'know? Make a fist with your fingers entwined below in the palm of your hand...and your recited as you pulled your two index fingers up..."Here's a church, here's a steeple....open the door and see all the people"...as you twist your wrists up and all the remaining fingers wiggle to show 'people'? Here is a 10 second video of the little ditty---



Do you remember that?

Well, as Bud and I were doing our morning walking on a Sunday [he goes with me on Sunday's for sure...sometimes once or twice a week otherwise when we go to the beach.] Anyway, while walking along the Shoreline Drive on the Marina/Yacht Club area a couple weeks ago, I happen to look toward the city instead of the bay waters because the sound of church bells rang out to us while we were down below the bluff...and I was scanning the panorama; seeing all the church steeples. I, personally, like the more 'Gothic' architecture...the old world style; and the Southwest "mission" architecture --or even the unadorned, wooden, 1 room "prairie churches" as apposed to the modern designs of today---there ARE churches just about every city block in this city...we ARE in the Bible Belt!!

This is for you: Madi [and Mom!]--------





This is the one that had the chiming from the bell tower....notice the black arrow?---I've always wanted to stop the car and photograph the bronze statue, but the traffic sometimes - it's too dangerous to pull over and snap photos. So, while we were walking, I crossed the boulevard [from the sea's side] and took close up photos of the statue---





These photos below are ones you'd see from the shore...but they're all up on a bluff in about a three block radius. The upper bluff and street is Upper Broadway. From the entry doors of these churches you'd see the views of the bay and the bayfront. The first one, the one with the whitewashed stairway to the top of the hill is the Catholic Church---







BIBLE BELT


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As for today, Sunday, it's still soggy outdoors in the yard, and we still have a lot of landscaping repair to do once it dries out more. Our huge Lantana bush was literally pounded to the ground. Once it dries out some around it's roots, we'll have to tie it up and support it against the privacy fence to 'retrain' it and make it a bit more sturdy. A few landscaping timbers were washed out from the foundation flower boxes in the front yard. While I was out in the storm I happened to notice a couple 6 foot timbers floating across the yard toward the flooded street and lugged them back retrieved them placing them on the front porch. But, again, it's still a bit too wet to be out there doing the repair work....so, it'll have to wait. Bud played plumber this week....Joe the Plumber!! Showing me his butt crack once while on his knees sopping up the leak as I was supervising. rofl I did another teeny Halloween project for the entry door and finished that in no time flat. I FINALLY completed reading the book "The Further Adventures of Huckleberry Finn"!!!! It sure was a slow read. But enjoyable. Enough for me to WANT to finish it, but just not so 'exciting' that I never wanted to put it down. It was a thick novel...and I was only reading a few pages every once in a while. It sure took me long enough to finish it. Now I started reading The Queen's Governess... which 'sounds' of great interest to me 'cause I really enjoy this chronicled era. And historical novels of such always catch my eye at the book store; this book was on my book list to buy. I was lucky enough to find it at the half price bookstore!! I've read the first few chapters and being written in 'first person' always makes it so good for me. I've not read any of Karen Harper's books before 'til this one. Usually, on this subject I'd prefer Phillipa Gregory or Alison Weir novels. So far, so good tho. She may just become another of my favorite writers. Time will tell. The novel is about Elizabeth I's governess...placed there in Henry VIII's court by Thomas Cromwell after the days of Anne Boleyn's beheading, Katherine Ashley. Altho not much has ever been written on Miss Ashley, an imaginative epic should hold relevance. Online, I found this written in a quotation from the author: "The movie rights to Queen’s Governess have been sold in the UK, Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Turkey. Harper says the time is ripe for another Tudor blockbuster like the Cate Blanchett Elizabeth films or Shakespeare in Love. Or, it could be adapted for television to provide fresh look at the popular characters of Showtime’s The Tudors." I say, whoo hoo!!! As I love MOVIES of this time in history also!! Hope it comes out in America soon.

§ WEATHER or not, here I come---well back up 40 years----

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SUNDAY STEALING
note: a most unique and fun stolen meme this week!



1. Depending on your age, go back 10, 15, 20, or even more years.

2. Tell us how many years back you have traveled and why. I'm gonna go back 40 years! Whoa!! Reason why...would be that is when I really started learning about life and motherhood.

3. Pretend you have met yourself during that era, and tell us where you are. I'm in Colorado, recently married just over a year, and a new mother....first child, Irene.

4. You only have one "date" with this former self.

5. Answer these questions.

Okay, as we start, what year is it and how old are you? The year 1969...I'm 20.

1. Would your younger self (YYS, from here) recognize you when you first meet? I'm sure...I haven't changed much except for weathered skin from continually being outdoors in summer, winter, fall and springtime. LOL

2. Would YYS be surprised to discover what you are doing job wise? No....I've always wanted to be married and a full-time mother of two. In 1969, I remember I had the financial ability to quit my outside-the-home career and raise children....my choice.

3. What piece of fashion advice would you give YYS? Other than always be yourself? Wear your best smile!!

4. What do you think YYS is most going to want to know? What's happening in your life?

5. How would you answer YYS's question? Motherhood is not an 8-5 job, it's a lifetime job!! One that reaps benefits galore!!


6. What would probably be the best thing to tell YYS? Enjoy every day and live like there is no tomorrow. Don't fret over the small stuff...the world keeps on turning.

7. What is something that you probably wouldn't tell YYS? I'd think 'sucka'!!! And let MYS try natural birthing just because....but I WOULD say secretly now that I know better....Don't be a fool, just to experience 'natural' birth....ask for drugs!!!

8. What do you think will most surprise YYS about you? That I lost all the 'baby fat' from pregnancy and more pounds after giving birth.

9. What do you think will least surprise YYS? I'm happy where I am in life as a new mother...doting over Irene and loving Bud for helping me create the miracle.

10. At this point in your life, would YYS like to run into "you" from the future? I would hope so!!!

...and regarding #8 ---

Guess what? Moving to today: I found 'em and more!! They [the pounds I lost] really weren't LOST...they were hiding, and jumped on me from outta nowhere.

END OF SUNDAY STEALING
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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Did any of you Blogspot Bloggers realize they now have a comment SPAM folder?!! For your blogs? Yes indeedy folks...step right up, step right up...hear it here, hear it now: While in your editing window for Blogger, see the comments tab? [orange highlight] Well, click on it...it opens a spam folder for all your comments. You can accomplish a whole slew of things. To the far right, it also tells you how many comments you've had since the very first post ever made. Well, it's news to me anyway; y'all may have known about it already. Goes to show you how 'on top I am' of things with 'what's new'. I just happen to click on COMMENTS in my admin/editing and found it. I clicked on the "spam" tab and found three comments that needed to be approved. Hmmmm, LOL Here is an example:




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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Yet another walk along the beach. This time, we went to the Ships' channel that comes right from the open Gulf of Mexico...Aransas Pass Texas. The sea shell season is beginning to come to life once again now that the water is slowly cooling off in temperature. I found only but a few, but I enjoyed the walk along the surf. I also played a while with something new to me...there is a feature on my newer camera that has a panoramic setting. Tho I don't have a hard copy of the 'idiot's book' on operating this new fangled thing, I find anyway that by 'doing' I learn faster and remember what I've done. Instead of reading and then getting out there and trying to recall just what it is I'm supposed to do and when and how. Well, the panoramic is new to me as I said, and I just experimented with it the one time. The photo I took is now posted on my photo blog---'testing the waters'---literally one of us at the time was testing the waters while the other...well, just testing!!! You'll see what I post about if you click on the link aforementioned in bold text. Personally, I don't think I'll be using it much, but it's still nice to know I have the feature on my camera; just in case. I still consider myself a novice on photography, but it most definitely is addictive!! Bud and I only walked from the jetty to the pier and didn't stay as long as I'd like, there is a lighthouse nearby this channel, and I read that you can see it from the shore...it's now a non-operative lighthouse and the only way you can get 'up close and personal'...without stepping foot on the private property, is by chartering a boat into one of the off waterways from the channel...for a photo op. Well, the charter boats are expensive, and I don't think it's worth the money...but I did finally spot it jutting up in the horizon from the beach! To be honest, I knew about it being there, but never knew just where to look on the horizon....now I know and I will go back real soon to take time to see how well the camera works for me from the shore on that subject. Real soon, I hope. Now that the weather will turn half-way tolerable during the day, I'm sure we'll go back to the area in no time 'cause this is a great place for bird migration!! And speaking of birds, I've noticed the last couple of days that a hummingbird has taken claim of our reviving flowers from the summer heat....I took the liberty of getting down our four hummingbird feeders and scrubbed them out thoroughly to rehang. Soon, with the coming colder air up North, we'll have a winter migration of seed-eating birds and the nectar loving birds in our yard! I always feed 'em beginning in Autumn through the Spring months when they arrive again going back North. I love watching them all, and I also look forward to traveling around the Texas Birding Highways and Birding Reserves this time of year. It's so exhilarating to see a species, watch it, log the time and place I spotted it...and photograph it if possible. Oh and I also made the most delicious apple crisp ever!!! A neighbor gave me 3 pounds of Jonathon apples and they were kinda dry and mealy, so instead of munching on them just whole and fresh, I peeled 'em all...made the oatmeal crunchie mixer and baked....I have a photo of a piece of it, which I swore I'd not show online 'cause it's appearance leaves a lot to be desired...kinda gross-looking...but here it is...in all its glory. I never measure when I cook...just toss in this and add that, but this time, the apples were cooked to perfection, and the cinnamon and sugar mix was perfect. We topped it off with frozen fat free yogurt and a hot cinnamon syrup. I want more!! And the last tidbit for the week...Bud and I actually went to the theater to see a movie Friday.....The Town. Unless you like the "F" word...don't go!! Seriously, every other word in the movie script IS the "F" word...even the female lead says it. The story isn't too bad. I did like how it ended...but it's NOT worth any money. And I'm sure it won't be on free TV anytime soon either.

§ Go Rangers!!!!

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SUNDAY STEALING


1. Have you turned the heat on in your house yet this fall? Heat? Turn it on? Ummmmm, not here!! The 'heat is turned on' when we open the door...it's 80 degrees here in the Fall!! Question is: Have you turned your A C off yet? We haven't...it's running 24/7 still.

2. Do you allow your pets on the furniture? It's rather the opposite here...it should be do our pets allow US on the furniture? We recently bought a couch and loveseat...and before we had the last of the cushions placed in place, BOTH CATS took possession!!!

3. What were your final words for September? "Tomorrow's October"

4. What are your first words for October? "Today is October"

5. Do you think you’ve ever seen a ghost? I haven't, but Bud swears he has!! In our Colorado home.

6. What is the one color that represents this time of year? Aspen Gold

7. Which of your senses do you think is most sensitive this time of year? Smell...the smell of apples baking, pies, cool fresh ocean breezes...scents of outdoors!!

8. What is your favorite thing to do at the county fair? Since our county fair here is held in February, I love to walk around check out the crafts and check out the 4H animal exhibits...blue ribbon predictions!

9. What do you like when you have a cold? My warm wuzzy BED!!

10. Are you willing to spend over $100 for a piece of winter clothing, like boots or a coat? I have. But that's our little secret....I don't think Bud knows.

12. What do you have too much of in your kitchen? Too many cooks spoil the broth? Nah...don't cook much....I guess it'd hafta be dishes that need to be put in the dishwasher....that's Bud's job.

13. What gripes do you have about this time of year? None whatsoever....this is a favorite time of year from now 'til it gets hot again in May.

14. Other than yourself, are you responsible for getting anyone ready in the morning? Who would that be?

15. When was the last time you cleaned your gutters? There are no gutters around here....with hurricanes, gutters are something you don't see on homes.

16. So, it’s after Labor Day. Will you still be wearing white? Perhaps....which makes me think of an old jingle...oh you wonder where the yellow went when you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.

17. What shows are you most looking forward to this Fall? I WAS looking forward to two...NCIS and The Big Bang Theory, but so far, sorely disappointed in both. Actually, more so would be the Baseball Playoff Games. League Championships, and then WORLD SERIES. That's my final answer...and I'm sticking to it.

18. What three things have you just not gotten around to from the summer, but probably should do before snow flies? Snow? It doesn't snow here. Thank gawd!!!!! And I'm laughing myself silly for all those who like it....my sister told me yesterday the high country is getting snow....awwwwwwwwwww, poor thing! [she lives in the high country on the western slope of the Rockies]


END OF SUNDAY STEALING
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Sunday's Summary

Nuttin' Honey!!!
From Monday of this past week, it was a bit boring. Nothing was crucial in getting done. Mostly watching a new storm developing below the island of Cuba and becoming stationary for some time. Predictions are it {named storm, Richard} will be heading into the Gulf waters soon. The path is still a bit 'unknown'...I guess it depends on pressure areas and temperatures. There will be a chance it heads to the Texas coast, but for now, a slim chance of it being a STRONG storm...

Bud and I had planned on going to the opening of the new Matt Damon movie, "Hereafter". But, after reading the professional critics' critiques and the movie goers reviews, we changed our minds...I understand there are a lot of subtitles and such...I personally don't want to READ a movie!! LOL And of course, our walks along the beaches. We stopped at a new section. Well, new to us anyway. We've never pulled off the freeway to stop at this particular area near Nueces Bay ---the park is AT sea level and floods easily. Each and every time we've driven by the park, it was always a bit 'under water' from storms. It's not worth getting the car stuck in the mire and pay for a towing job. Since it's been dryer these past few weeks, we decided to go by and see if it was 'safe' to drive into the area.

The book I've been reading [and finished] was really good. It really wasn't a crumby book from the beginning, but slow to begin. After the queen was beheaded, I didn't want to put it down. How I love to read about this era. In fiction of course. And this author, tho I've not read any previous writings of hers, is just simply super. With this particular novel, she has written it in first person, which is the best for me anyway...it's like sitting at the hearth on a cold wintry night and the person is regaling to me a life experience. And in Old English style...her chapters are even marked....Chapter the First, Chapter the Eleventh and so on....unique. Heck, it doesn't take all that much to please me. LOL The book is "The Queens Governess"...it begins with Anne Boleyn and her lady...and the lady is now the governess of the daughter, Elizabeth, the Queen. Wonderful. I highly recommend it for those who like England's historical novels. I'm trying to decide which book to begin reading now...I have three I'd really like to start reading. Two books, one, a long time hunted for book that I found in Books, Ink. over in Portland a couple of weeks ago, when we drove over to attend the Fall Festival...on the way back home, we stopped at a little 'corner' bookstore of used books...and I found it. My mother in law highly recommended it years and years ago...and I FOUND a copy and bought it!!! The Silver Chalice---since it's so very old [first printed in the early 1950's] it's out of print of course, the only way to have found it is to look in used book stores ---I did see a copy of it quite a while ago at Abe Books [online book finders], but never ordered it. The 2nd of the two books I found there was a novel on Lizzie Borden [the infamous 'ax girl'] which is entitled "Lizzie". The third book is one I found at Half Price books the other day is Archie and Amélie. Of course they're all novels of historical value, The Silver Chalice is about a silversmith commissioned to produce a silver holder for the 'holy grail'...while Lizzie is a novelized version of Lizzie Borden and her lifestyle; the third one is a novel of the Astor Family, the rich, filled with scandals--love, marriage, drugs, with a bit of his psychiatric tendencies and time spent in an asylum....

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We did attend the 50th annual Jazz Festival over the past weekend. But the time there was cut short because of the daytime ballgame. Heritage Park and the City of Corpus Christi each year holds a terrific festival of many many nation-wide jazz bands attending for the festival held over three days. There are three different bandstands within the park along with food, historic homes to tour, craft booths and drinks!! All three days, the times are from noon 'til the wee hours of the morning. Each band has a time slot to perform, usually about 45 minutes. Some with encores.

This one band in particular was local, and as Bud and I toured the grounds, their music was superb, so we stopped and enjoyed the ambiance their talents poured out. So many 'jazz' bands are NOT jazz to me, but either modern jazz [more of a rock genre] or BLUES. To me, Blues is not JAZZ. This band [the three top photos] were the good 'old time jazz'!! The older gentlemen performing for us were playing the oldies but goodies...at the time of the photo shoot...they were playing "I Love You for Sentimental Reasons" with a fabulous 'jazzy' rhythm...quite good...I used to love listening to Nat King Cole sing this very song! While the last photo taken at another bandstand was more blues....we didn't hang around much longer after that. And the third bandstand was more Latin rhythm jazz...this other one we walked over to see, the program was nothing exciting...In the past, I've found that the 'best bands' are playing at night when the crowds are much larger. And there is something quite special when the lights are strung from tree to tree, around the bandstands, and through the grassy areas of the park...it just has an old tyme atmosphere of the days past. Quite fun and the demeanor of the attendees are more relaxed and enjoying the surroundings.

Well, the Texas Rangers Won the AL pennant!! I was so excited. Either team in the playoffs for the American League winning would have pleased me. Tho the Yankees lost, and deservedly so since they played like Little League to me....the Rangers are IN!! The first time for a long time that a Texas team has gone this far....wow. The way they played the past couple of weeks, I think they have a biting chance of taking the Fall Classic Trophy. Exciting.

§ We've been "Yanked" again....yippee

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SUNDAY STEALING

1. When you looked at yourself in the mirror today, what was the first thing you thought? Mac Davis's song "Oh lord it's hard to be humble". LOL

2. How much cash do you have on you? None. I rarely have ca$h.

3. What’s a word that rhymes with DOOR? Snore. Is this going to be a bore [the meme questions]?

4. Favorite planet? Besides this one we're on? The one with the rings...ya, Saturn. I think I was born under Saturn's something or other....or some such nonsense.

5. Who is the 4th person on your missed call list on your cell phone? Dunno...don't look at that. I really don't care. If it was an important call that I missed, they'll call back.

6. What is your favorite ring tone on your phone? Right now...Beethoven's 5th.

7. What shirt are you wearING? A white T-shirt with a USMC eagle globe and anchor that says: "yes, the Marines are part of the Navy, the MEN'S parts"

8. Do you label yourself? ya, and the label is with Scotch Tape, to hold it all together.

9. Name the brand of the shoes you’re currently wearing? Barefoot.

10. Bright or Dark Room? Dark...

11. Did you do anything to celebrate John Lennon's 70th yesterday? Are you kiddin' me? I'm not nor will I ever be a fan of the Beatles. [I do like the song, Imagine, tho....go figure]

12. What does your watch look like? I have several...the one I'm wearing now has three cameos on each side of the watch's face.

13. What were you doing at midnight last night? See #3...my first answer.

14. What did your last text message you received on your cell say? I have had that disabled entirely.

15. Where is your nearest 7-11? It's all "Stripes" here in Texas. No 7-11's that I've seen anywhere in the state.

16. What’s a word that you say a lot? Ha....I plead the 5th on this question.

17. Who told you he/she loved you last? My dear husband.

18. Last furry thing you touched? Kitties....but, that is NOT what I first thought of....again, the 5th I plead.

19. How many drugs have you done in the last three days? Heart meds....in other words, LEGAL drugs.

20. How many rolls of film do you need developed? Film? What's that? I probably have film on the bathtub that needs attention...does that count?

21. Favorite age you have been so far? right here, right now.

22. Your worst enemy? Sitting here on my butt getting broad from answering Sunday's questions.

23. What is your current desktop picture (extra points if you post it.)? A bird photo I took.

24. What was the last thing you said to someone? Good Morning

25. If you had to choose between a million bucks or to be able to fly what would it be? A Million...I could hire someone then, to do the flying FOR me.


* *END SUNDAY STEALING
if you wanna skip over the rest of my blogging for the day---

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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

I'm Texan by choice, and the Texas Rangers have been doing well in the division playoff games -except for yesterday's game...I think they deserved to lose the way they played. "My" Yankees won last night...now they advance ---who will be their opponent?!! The Rangers or the Rays? That will be known in time....For the Rays it's one and Rangers two wins.... I think I can almost guarantee that whomever wins the League Championship they'll be the stronger in the World Series than the National League. It's been that way all season...the AL played better. Just my opinion.

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Another week has flown by. The weather has turned almost perfect now! There is still a threat of possible hurricanes, but I feel 'safe' from harm until the new season of threats in 2011. While wading along the shore the other day, the water temperature has dropped considerably now, and the humidity has almost disappeared. Anyway, we drove from Corpus up to the little town of Calallen...you know, the home of the Wildcats? Oh, I guess you don't know...it's a high school team. And their football team seems to always get in the running for state champs. LOL Moving on....just a few miles northwest of Calallen there is a county park. Named after the land donater...Hazel Bazemore. And it is world known for the hawk migration. I think we went too early in the day to find any hawks...but we did find ---or should I change that wording, the mosquitoes found US. And you know what they say, "everything's bigger in Texas". Taking pictures, all of a sudden my new camera [which I'm still learning to use] flashes a message for me..."internal memory is full". Well now, I never had that happen to me until now! I was wondering just what the heck that meant. And if you've purchased anything new that is digital in any way recently, you don't get an 'in-depth' idiot guide unless you order one or go online to read it. I don't have ink in my printer, so I haven't yet printed out the 90 page user's guide. Back to internal memory...how the heck can I take more pictures? What did I do wrong? What does all this mean? The shutter release wouldn't work...I was missing all kinds of photo ops!! Dang. I was getting really p!ssed with myself and the camera and the company 'cause they are too cheap to add a full-sized guide for dummies even if we DID pay hundreds of dollars for their product!! So, the mosquitoes finally won out...we left to go walking around in the little town. We then took the interstate back home instead of the back country roads. Once home, I went into the office/library and sat down to check out my emails, etc. As I sat down, I noticed the camera's photo card was still in the chip's reader...hooked up to the USB cable!! #@!!! The chip was not put back into the camera before we left. Oh I made sure there were charged batteries in the camera beforehand, but forgot to reinstall the chip!! It took me hours to figure out how to copy the internal memory onto the card because of the fact there is nothing in the little pamphlet you get with the camera, and everything online to help is so vague. I was really feeling stupid. But I got it done. After all the stress, I ended up with only ONE bird photo, two other gnarly photos which I'll post about sometime. In the meantime, I added the bird photo on my photo blog. The bird is only found in coastal Texas...south to South America. So, you may have not seen this particular one before.

By the way, this park is super. It has boundaries of the Nueces River, water-fowl galore, a huge beautiful golf course for another boundary...and open land to the East....with a meandering one way drive throughout. And hawk watching platforms in some areas.

since I couldn't take photos myself...
panoramic view of park area from park brochure

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Yesterday, we drove over to Portland Texas and walked around through the Fall Festival. There wasn't much, I did find the cutest scarecrows in one of the craft booths...didn't buy one, but did snap a photo of it on my cellphone so I could 'copy' the idea and make one or two for myself at a later time. I'll share photos in a bit...haven't taken them off the phone yet...too busy watching ballgames. LOL





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I was awarded this sweet gift from Freda at Fredamans this past Tuesday, and I must say I'm very pleased!! Thank you so much for thinking of me!!! This is what makes a blogger feel 'loved' and appreciated. Now, I'm supposed to answer the question given to me: "Would you go back and change anything in your life"? I answer a definite no. I've asked myself this over and over, and I think that by learning as you live is most important...whether right or wrong in decision making.

Sunday, April 26th, 2009
6:32 A.M.



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Sunday Stealing:

On with Sunday Stealing Meme...but first: Sorry I wasn't around to visit a lot of you yesterday...we were getting the house ready to paint the exterior. The trim around the brick, the eaves, the front porch, cleaning hurricane shutters, and power spraying around the patio...now that the covering is off the patio...being that that is done, we can move forward and do some much needed painting! So, after that was done, we went and picked out some exterior paint and all the implements needed to begin that. It was a long day for us. But now we can begin. I've been wanting this done now for about two years, and having Bud take all the dark roofing down, around the patio and living room and dining room...it is time to move to the next step before hurricane season begins. In doing so, going around the house I spotted that the huge tree in the front yard is insect damaged...it's beginning to split from the ground up...so I did a lot of calling around for tree surgeons. Ewwwwwww. I hate to see it go, but it must be taken out otherwise, it will break in a windstorm and damage either OUR house or the neighbors. Bummer.



Sunday Stealing: The Mud Meme

1. What are your current obsessions? Painting the exterior of the house. I want to get it all done before the rainy season [June!]

2. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often? Jeans!!! Jeans, jeans and more jeans.

3. What's for dinner? Turkey meat loaf, Garlic/Butter mashed potatoes, always tossed salad, and chocolate-dark cherry oatmeal bars.

4. Last thing you bought? Cat food!!!

5. What are you listening to? The water running...Bud is in the hall bathroom shaving.

6. If you were a god/goddess who would you be? Isis? She was worshiped as the ideal mother and wife, matron of nature and magic...I guess I do do magic with growing flowers/plants in my garden; that's nature and magical. As for ideal wife and mother? Well, that is possibly a misnomer then.

7. Favorite holiday spots? Home. And I also love to go shopping in the early part of the holiday season to view the sparkles of the city & watch the kids with Santa Claus.

8. Reading right now? Henry & Clara. I only have a couple more chapters to read. Then, I think I'll begin reading Hitler's Niece.

9. 4 words to describe yourself. Sexagenarian, Old-Country, Fair, Female

10. Guilty pleasure? Right now it's Ferrero Rocher Chocolate

11. Who or what makes you laugh until you’re weak? Jeff Dunham and his cohorts.

12. Planning to travel to next? I'm a homebody. Next place would be Houston probably. Or along the coastal highway.

13. Best thing you ate or drank lately? See #10.

14. When did you last get tipsy? Oh my....only once...when I was a teenager. Ummmmm, it was my wedding shower...a local establishment was rented out...with lots of friends. In fact ONE friend called Bud and had him come pick me up and drive me home.

15. Care to share some wisdom? Don't dwell on the negative!!! IN FACT --the best way to forget troubles is to wear TIGHT, UNCOMFORTABLE SHOES.

OR.....If you love something, set it free. If it comes back, it will always be yours. If it doesn't come back, it was never yours to begin with. But, if it just sits in your living room, messes up your stuff, eats your food,uses your telephone, takes your money, and doesn't appear to realize that you had set it free....... You either married it or gave birth to it.

16. Nicest thing anyone’s ever said to you? "You have great looking legs." I'm still told that. A lot. At least something on my body has withstood the ages. LOL

Sunday June 21st, 2009
4:45 A.M.


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[Bud says it's a caracara, I think it's much too large for being a caracara! More a bald eagle size ---we were about 1/4 mile away from him. The Southern Caracara has a striped breast...this was too solid in color. Look to the bottom, left center --taken from the car/road]

Yesterday morning, before sunrise, Bud and I drove about 30 miles from home and crossed into the National Park....Padre Island National Seashore. It was a most beautiful drive! No one on the highway, and when we got to the visitor's center [of course being so early everything was closed] and parked...we walked to the seashore. Best thing ever!-----no one was on the shore either! We had the whole Gulf Coast to ourselves!

When I woke up Saturday morning it was 84 degrees {Fahrenheit}. That was about 5. I quickly got the kitties fed, and showered and got dressed to go on our excursion. The time of complete silence except for the waves and the birds singing was something we both needed. To take a long, quiet walk and reflect on our week past. We didn't even talk...it was more or less giving way to our silent thoughts and mixed emotions of Leah's passing and just how fragile life is. We walked about an hour and a half one way along the shore with the wave action beating on our feet. The warmth of the sun coming up and a new day beginning was all we needed. The serenity of the beach when you're by yourself is quite healing.

By the time we got to the pilings before entering a camping area along the shore, we had walked over a mile [they have mile posts along the dunes] and I stopped and combed the beach for shells. The tide was too low and the current didn't wash many ashore, so it wasn't too fruitful. Bud stood by the pilings as I searched the sand for 'goodies'. At one point, I looked over at Bud and he motioned for me to come forward and see what he found. I traipsed toward him all the while looking down at my feet in case I spotted a super keen shell; found a few, but nothing worth noting, except for a beautiful stone that just may be the Texas State Stone ---The petrified palmwood. I need to do some more researching online before I feel more positive tho...

...anyway, by the wooden pilings, on the drier side, there were two of them. Two rays! I thought they were utterly creepy. Being that they were mutilated [someone had neatly clipped off the 'wings' of both!] And being that they were drying up ...it wasn't too pleasant. You'll need to enlarge the photo, but fair warning, it's not really all that enjoyable unless you have the curiosity of a cat. The 2nd one was nearby, at the next wooden piling. I was wondering if someone caught these and brought them ashore, or they got stranded too close to the beach when the tides shifted.


But after that, our silence was broken. We talked while we began walking back. Now, the dunes to the west of the shore are more or less off limits. There are warning signs all over the area to stay on the beaches and being more a protected area for wildlife such as foxes, coyotes, deer, bird nesting, oh...and SNAKES...they advise you to not enter the dunes. Which I gladly oblige. The whole concept of snakes makes me leery of getting even too close to the beginning of the dunes!! But, while walking back, we moved closer to the dunes and followed coyote tracks...I enjoyed viewing the 'artwork' of the shifting sands ---

Of course, with snakes on my mind as we traversed way too close to the grasslands, this lousy booger jumped out of the hidey hole and made ME jump outta my pants [not literally, figuratively speaking]....darned critter. As he stopped to eyeball me, I snapped the photo. All the time, I heard a faint snicker...he was laughing for the fact he knew he scared me more than I scared him. After I got over the shock/fright, he was delightful to watch as he skimmed the hot sands from one hiding burrow to the next.

When I came upon a small clearing without much vegetation and no wooded area...I climbed a dune. Yep, you heard me right the first time. Hey, it was an open area. Trust me, I DID keep my eyes to the ground and even tho I know there are rattlers and coral snakes out in this area, I wanted the wide open space for me to view. I'm sure they would have been in the open, warming up from the cool evening...using the sun and warming sand to heat 'em up. So, I quickly snapped this photo, and then another...



The quiet walk along the shore, in the early morning, was very therapeutic!!

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Sunday Stealing: The Finish The Sentence Meme

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss...was to 'say' goodnight to Bud.

2. I am listening to...the air conditioner hum while Winston is snoring as he sleeps on the entertainment center that is next to the desk.

3. I talk...way too much; probably.

4. I love...shopping, blogging, reading, baseball, eating. And not necessarily in that order.

5. My best friend/s...is many, many miles away from me in Colorado.

6. My first real kiss...was in 4th grade. Me and Bobby L!!!

7. Love is...a lifetime gift.

8. Marriage is...the best thing that has ever happened to me.

9. Somewhere, someone is thinking...about fighting wars and protecting a country. [sad state of mind that I think of this first off, isn't it?]

10. I'll always...be smiling 'cause I'm generally a happy person.

11. The last time I really cried was because...it was heartbreaking.

12. My cell phone...is laying on the desk as the computer is reading the photo chip to upload them for my Sunday post.

13. When I wake up in the morning...I check the outdoor temp from the atomic thermometer. It was 85 today and not even 5 a.m.!!!!

14. Before I go to bed...I read if I can.

15. Right now I am thinking about...how to complete this sentence.

16. Babies are...the future.

17. I get on Myspace...

18. Today I...will water plants outdoors to try and keep them alive during the heat/drought, cook something, and will watch baseball on TV.

19. Tomorrow I will be...a day older than I am right now.

20. I really want to be...just me!!

~...END Sunday Stealing
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the Unconscious Mutterings below

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Play along with your subconscious; Sunday's Word Association.
Join here.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Divorce :: Tammy Wynette's song
2. Napkin :: ring
3. Camera :: shy
4. Leather :: neck [nickname for a U S Marine]
5. Fractures :: breaks
6. Flip out :: gone wild



7. Coroner :: Ducky [NCIS character]



8. Atomic :: energy
9. Liz :: -zie Borden
10. Leave :: it to Beaver.

§ ...water, water everywhere!!

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SUNDAY STEALING:
[this week, questions from last week's participants]


1. :::sniff, sniff::: Is the dog in the house? I actually think Bud fed it beans last night from the leftover chili!! Ewwwwwwwwww!!! And what's really odd, we have no dogs!! Is that YOU?

2. What is the best piece of advice you've ever received? Take it one day at a time...from my mom.

3. What's the worst experience you've ever had involving alcohol? Ummmmmmm, calling Ralph early in the morning...."Ral=l=l=ph"...and hangin' over the john.

4. What's the worst thing you've ever done to another person? Lied. I guess.

5. Who do you think started the concept of memes? The same dude that invented the memeography!!

6. Give a song title or line that describes how you are feeling right now. Since I'm ready for beddy-bye...it'd be "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".

7. What's your favorite search engine? Yahoo!, Google, Ask, Bing? or something else? Google!! By far.

8. If Paul is the Cute One and John is the Smart One and George is the Quiet One and Ringo is the Funny One, which Beatle are you? George...hehehehehe

9. The democratic government decides that, not only do we have to share our money with people who choose not to work, we also have to share our children with those who do not want to ruin their bodies with being pregnant. Which child do you give up? Over my dead body!!!

10. When should you procrastinate - now or later? I'll think about that tomorrow...afterall, tomorrow's another day. Hmmmmm, that line sounds familiar.

11. What is your favorite fast food? Well, it most definitely isn't Five Guy Burgers....we went there yesterday for the first time....Jack in the Box is BETTER!!! I love the Sourdough Jack.

12. What was your favourite game as a child? Jump Rope Competitions.

13. Why [do] terrible twos have to be terrible. Dunno...that, if you're wondering the AGE two...that was over 35 years ago for me.

14. Describe your favorite family member. Handsome...love his smiling and dimples that never faded away with age.

15. What does your favorite breakfast consist of? Anything out...I don't like to cook breakfasts. If we stay home, it's usually just juice and a cigarette.

16. What food is better the day after it was made? Lasagna!!!

17. What was your last big purchase? In size or price?

18. When was the last time you kissed someone and really enjoyed it? Each and every day.

19. Why are there memes? To fill in one's blog page.

20. Described yourself using two words that rhyme. (i.e. fuddy-duddy) Happy Lappy....[I got a gut on me that lappy's over and I'm happy with it]

21. If you were given the option of a "do-over" in life .. would you take it? Probably not, but ask me sometime again when I'm having a bad day.

22. What movie makes (or has made) you cry? What touched you about it? Radio...with Cuba Gooding Jr. He was mentally retarded...a sweet movie

23. What is one big mistake that you did in your life? And what did you do to make it right? I don't think I made one....none intentional...I'm pretty conscientious of what I do.

24. When Life Gives You Lemons, What Do You Do With Them? There is a lemon law...so I'd trade it in.

25. How different are you in real life as compared to the online identity you have created for yourself? Not much....if I blog, what you read is me.

26. Do you know what your parents would have named you if you had been born the opposite sex? Sure Do!!! Douglas Dean. Thank gawd I turned into an Anni. I would hate being a Douglas.



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SUNDAY'S SUMMARY

Let's see....summarizing the past week today on Sunday....hmmmm. What all happened around here y'wonder. Well, I made a small batch of Krusteaz Fat Free Brownies from a mix [I added whole pecans!!]. I make 'em, really, for Bud 'cause he's the type that can eat and eat to his heart's content and not gain an ounce. Me on the other hand....well, let's just say I eat only one small piece. The rest are his! And I think he really likes that concept! LOL Our local -the closest to our home that is- Blockbuster Video store was closing its doors and had a good sale on previewed movies 'cause they didn't want to go to all the trouble of packing 'em and shipping them all across town...so, we bought 5 movies...The Maiden Heist. Julie and Julia. The Ministers [crime drama]. The Perfect Getaway. And, The Quantam of Solace. During the stormy weather we've watched three of the five so far. The Maiden Heist is pretty good...very funny!!! And the artwork [originally painted for the movie only!] was superb. It's well worth watching if you like to laugh. The Perfect Getaway was slow to begin, in fact, it was so slow, I fast-forwarded through the first half hour. LOL....but it got better near the end. I think I had it figured out who the 'murderers' were from the beginning 'cause it just wasn't 'clicking' being that the first couple was on their honeymoon...well, you just have to watch it if you like murder mysteries. Then, Thursday, while eating our dinner, we sat at the TV trays and watched Julie and Julia. This was outstanding!!! A great feel good movie, and Meryl Streep, once again, played her best!! She was great as Julia Child!! Loved it, and of course I want to now go find her cookbook. We went to the used bookstore we frequent and I did some searching...didn't find the cook book, but I did find a paperback of Ms. Child's that I really look forward to reading...if it's anything like the movie was, it will be full of wit and her typical charm. LOL I completed, and showed, my afghan project. I continued to work on my Halloween Witch -which I'll show really soon in a week or two. But, concluding, most of the week, we stayed home and watched it RAIN! Even after the Tropical Storm Hermine passed over us...we continued to get heavy rains for two days afterward from the remnants of the outer bands of the system...two photos of the beaches the day of Hermine making landfall in Old Mexico. From Packery Channel---




Normally, the water isn't so choppy and clear icy blue...but the day of Hermine, the sludge and sand was making the water and waves a good chocolaty brown!!! And the 2nd photo with the seagulls...this is on a normal day with no storms overhead...just sandy beaches ---but the high tides and winds brought the sea inland much farther!!




...days after landfall, the rains continued. Standing water everywhere:





Friday and Saturday, tho still quite humid and warm, at least the skies cleared and blue showed. :o)