Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your summer so far? Why?
(1=eh and 10=best summer ever)  
I wish I could give it a 10....so I wouldn't sound like a broken record. I have been complaining about the heat since June.  It has been a boring summer, stuck in the house most of the day. 1=eh.

2. July 26th is National Aunts and Uncles Day. Did you have many aunts and uncles growing up? Were you especially close to any one or maybe all of them? Are you an aunt? (or uncle for the men who join here on Wednesdays) Share a favorite memory relating to one of your own aunts or uncles or relating to a niece or nephew who call you Aunt (or Uncle).  
I had Aunts and Uncles and I am an aunt to 2 nieces and 2 nephews. Uncle Bucky was my favorite  .  He was a big gruff teddy bear, who had a story for everything.  When we were younger, he had a big gold front tooth, that I always though was attractive.....???? I wanted to know how to get one. He told me that when he was my age and he lost his front tooth, it came in gold, because he never, ever stuck his tongue in the space.  Of course, I had 2 chances for a gold tooth and was never successful.
My niece Megan was about one and sitting in the highchair eating at our house. Our puppy at the time Tai was a jumper and he was jumping up at Megan making her anxious.  Mr BC yelled NO Tai, and Megan began crying.  It wasn't her he was yelling at, but, she wouldn't have it....She wouldn't smile or go to him until she was about 3 years old. I still tease him that she loves me best.

Megan and Aunt Katie, she still loves me most!

3. What's your favorite food dipped in chocolate? What's your favorite food dipped in cheese? 
I haven't had one for a while but I love chocolate dipped frozen Bananas.  Bread dipped in fondue cheese is great.  I haven't had that for a while either.

4. When were you last astonished by something? Explain. No explanation needed....Trump making it so far in the presidential run-up. I am astonished and dismayed, there is a chance he could win.

5. Surf board, paddle board, ironing board, Pinterest board, score board, clip board, bulletin board...which board have you most recently encountered? I keep some of Mr BCs health information on a clip board, also information on emergency procedures, so that it is close at hand.

 6. What's your favorite story from scripture? Why that story? 
David and Goliath: David, a young boy, kills Goliath, a giant, with a stone, by faith. 

7. If you were to travel from the east coast to the west coast in your own country, which five cities would you most want to see?  
Boston, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Anchorage. I've been to San Francisco, but I love it. The other cities would be new to me.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
I really like Michele Obama, I think she is a fantastic First Lady, Mother and Human.  It was when my so called Facebook friends started posting mean things about her that I started hiding them.

 

Surf City-Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Surf City (1963)
... Because Melissa suggested Jan and Dean. Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) When the song was written, "Surf City" was a fictitious town.* Tell us a song that is set in a real place. I left my heart in San Francisco.  I love SF!

2) In the song, Jan and Dean sing about riding around in a 1934 station wagon, which means the car was 29 years old when the song was recorded. How old is your vehicle?
The ones we drive , are 2004 and 2006 respectively.  Mr BC has the British sport cars from the 50's

3) Are you good on a surf board? Never been on one, even though I am a California Girl.


4) When you spend time out in the sun, are you careful about applying sunscreen?  
Oh yes, today is our Car Show for the Greater Ozark British Motoring Club,  we belong to.  I will use lots of sunscreen.

5) Dean's original partner was Arnie Ginsburg. When Dean was drafted into the Army, Arnie didn't feel like waiting so he abandoned show business and went back to college. Today he holds several patents. What is something you wish someone would invent?

I can never remember mine

I wouldn't be afraid, and I would travel

6) Jan was a perpetual student who juggled college with recording. He not only graduated from UCLA, he completed two years of medical school at the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Have you ever considered going back to school? Not any more for a degree, but I enjoy the environment of school.

7) In 1966, Jan was sidelined by a serious car accident. During the years that he was unable to perform, partner Dean became a graphic artist. He designed logos and album covers for Steve Martin, Diana Ross and others. Do you feel you respond most to words, pictures, or music? I would say words and music and pictures. I found this yesterday and posted it to facebook.  I love the passion. 

8) In 1978, CBS made a TV movie about Jan and Dean. If they approached you about a made-for-TV movie of your life, who would you like to play you? Every time I answer this question, my answer is the same. Cathy Bates.

9) Random question:  Growing up, how did you learn about the birds and the bees? (From books/the web, from parents, from your friends...) From books, and movies in school, never discussed it with my parents...but sometimes as friends we would discuss stuff.

http://samanthasaturday9.blogspot.com/

Wednesday HodgePodge

1. Pokemon Go...your thoughts? Are you playing? Do you even know what it is?
I just heard about it as a news story, last week.  I can understand obsession with games,  with me it peters out after a week or so.  We live in a small town so we don't see the zombies.

2.  What was something you collected as a child? Do you still have that collection? If you're a parent what's something your own children collected? Have you ever camped out, stood in a crazy long queue, or paid a ridiculous sum for a 'collectible'? I collected dolls, I started when mom gave me her Shirley Temple. I didn't collect expensive dolls...mainly reproductions.  They are in a box, packed away. The girls collected unicorns and penguins, respectively.  DD2, would say she collects books. I never did anything crazy for a collectible.

3. 'Collect moments, not things'...tell us about a moment you've added to your collection this summer.
Spending time with my grandsons, is always a moment that I enjoy and remember.  They are wonderful, sweet boys!

4.  What's something collecting dust in your home right now? Any plans to do something about it? Almost any flat surface in my house right now. I need to get busy with a Swiffer one of these days. Especially bad are the blades on my ceiling fans. It is a two man job, I need Mr BC to hold me steady on the ladder.  I get dizzy when I look up.

 

5. A favorite song relating to time?
If I could save Time in a Bottle.......This song is much to real as I grow older.  We wonder all the time where those two little girls went.
 

6. What's been your most frightening or your most interesting encounter with wildlife? A rat running across my foot years ago, when we just moved into a house. We had the exterminator in right away. I would love to have an interesting encounter with a koala bear or a panda.

7.  On July 20, 1969 Apollo 11 Commander Neil Armstrong set his foot down on the moon. If you could travel to the moon would you go? Why or why not?  
I would love to go into space...I think I was born too soon. I think it would be a real adventure.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.   
Things about me this week. Plus I need to dump some things from my files.

Sunday Stealing-A Story Teller's Meme

We Found this gem  from Paula Kumert of the blog "A Story Teller With a Camera". She states that she stole it from Kelly, but that’s as far as we go. It's like doing magic. You can't intrigue if you explain how it's done. Finding the original author of any meme or survey is too much work for this old blogger. So I'll just yell out:
 
Cheers to all of us thieves!!


1. What are your current obsessions? Sims Medieval, Walmart brand, Boom Boom Cherry ice cream sandwiches, and killing fruit flies.

2. What are you listening to? Nothing in particular, Mr BC and I are very eclectic.

3. Which item from your wardrobe do you wear most often?  
Jeans and a cute tee shirt with little pink flamingos. I also like my capris with little anchors all over them.  I am into prints this summer and I have always liked flamingos.

4. What are you reading? Book four of GOT, A Feast for Crows. I am really slogging through this book...It doesn't seem as readable as the first 3, as not much is going on as in the other books.  I hope 5 is better, if I ever get finished with this one.

 

5. What’s for dinner? Turkey burgers and french fries.

6. What was the last thing you bought? Groceries.....yesterday along with a set box, of Rubber Maid storage containers.  I am going to toss any that don't have lids, that seems like most of them.

7. Guilty pleasure? Homemade Berry Pie or Cobbler.

8. What training did you get and how do you make a living? Three years of college.  I was a Bankerchick for 27+ years, most of the time riding the Stagecoach. I am now retired. I use to joke that I use to drive the stagecoach.

9. If you could go back in time, knowing what you know now, and choose a different career path, what would you train to do? Veterinary medicine specializing in dogs.
10. What’s your best time of day? Morning before Mr BC gets up....good alone time, not having to be responsible for anything except enjoying the view.

Last Fall

11. Do you like being on a team or are you a solo player? I am and have always been a team player.

12. What’s your favorite way to create art? I loved all the things we created for DD1 wedding. We did the flowers together.  I don't do any thing else, that would be considered art.

13. Name three items in your refrigerator: Almond milk, cantaloupe and a bag of tiny raw carrots.  Based on what I have eaten today.
14. Tell us about your first crush: The older boy (4 years) who lived across the street. I did babysitting for his oldest brother, thinking that might get him to notice me.....it didn't. 
15. The first time that I became a boyfriend/girlfriend was with who, when? Mr BC in 1966.  I dated a bit, but no one guy, for very long.

16. Do you remember what you did on your first date? Well with Mr BC we double dated at a drive in and saw The Loved One and Cheyenne Autumn.

17. How did you meet your current (or most recent) girlfriend/boyfriend/husband/wife? I met Mr BC through a friend of mine, who was engaged to a friend of his. We got married they didn't.  They were the other couple at the movie.

18. How did your first romantic relationship end? Other dating ended so-so, or badly.  I was either too picky or not picky enough.

19. Do you remember your first kiss? Sure, it was Mike Moline and we were in 6th grade.  We went steady for about a week.

 20. What do we still not know about you? I have been doing this meme and Saturday 9 almost since I have been blogging, so there isn't a lot you don't know.  Ask Mr BC....or my kids.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you find yourself influencing your world, or is it more the other way around?  
My world is influencing me!  Our yard is level, but because of the rain and a pesky groundhog, it is soft and as I walk around I step into unlevel areas where he has tunneled.  Between, that and all the fallen branches from storms, it's a real struggle to play ball with Totem and Gwennie.

2. July 14th is National Tape Measure Day...the device was patented on this date in 1868. When did you last use a tape measure? Do you always know where to find one in your house?  
I usually by pants by measure length, but sometimes I have to hem things.  My tape measures are in my sewing box, I also know where to find my yard stick and flyswatters.I
Tell us one way in which you feel blessed 'beyond measure'.
I have reasonably good health.  It would probably be better if I lost some weight, as we all probably need to do.  I have to take care of Mr Bankerchick so it is important, that I stay healthy.

3.The Plaza Hotel (Eloise), The Land of Oz (The Wizard of Oz), Narnia (The Chronicles of Narnia), The Hundred Acre Wood (Winnie the Pooh), Wonderland (Alice's Adventures in Wonderland), or Never Never Land (Peter Pan)...which storybook land (on this list!) would you most like to visit and why?  
I think the Land of OZ.  I read many of them when I was younger and the books were so magical.  Of course I watched the movie when it was re-released at theaters and every time it was on the TV.

4. Where and when do you get your best ideas? Usually when I am doing housework, especially the dishes. Any time I am doing solitary work and have a chance to think.

5.  So what have you been watching on TV this summer? Anything good? 
I love all the Sunday night Morse mystery spinoff shows on PBS.  Endeavor, was good,  Inspector Lewis's final season is coming up, in August. Sunday nights are wonderful.

6. 'Don't swim for an hour after you eat', 'Dog days of summer', 'Knee high by the Fourth of July'...choose a summer saying from the list or share one of your own, then tell us what image or memory comes to mind when you hear it spoken. 

Here in MO, Dog days of summer apply all the time.

             

7. In a single sentence, sum up one life lesson you've learned. 
 When you're cooking, clean up as you go along...it works with life too.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
I have a confession to make....I downloaded Sims Medieval and spent all day on Sunday playing.  It is all about building a kingdom by making interesting Quests.  I am not as obsessed by it as I was on Sunday, but I play it for a while every afternoon, while Mr BC is taking a nap.  The music is very good, and Patrick Stewart amusingly narrates, while the game is loading.

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

See Questions 3 and 7

1. How did you welcome the month of July, and tell us one fun thing you did to celebrate the 4th. (or the weekend for any non-USA residents playing along today)  

July really snuck up on me.  We usually go to the Starvy Creek Blue Grass Festival, in Conway, MO, over the fourth, but the temps have been so high, I really did not want to go even though we have AC and there are no fireworks. We always go with Maggie and Jiggs and have a good time.  There is another one in September, but the past few years we have been on vacation.  Not this year, so maybe we will make that one, it should be a little cooler. 
We have had a lot of rain and humidity, but it did not stop the fireworks in the neighborhood, so Gwennie was in the shower most of the weekend and yesterday. The fourth is not really my holiday. And we did not really do anything fun.  
We do have some fun planned for at the end of the month with a car show where Mr BC will show off one of his vintage cars.We belong to the Greater Ozark British Motor Club, and will be at the show and the associated dinner and awards show in the evening.

2. Right now..what's your favorite red thing? white thing? blue thing? 

Red pomegranate seeds, though they aren't in our stores right now, I have a new flowy pleated white blouse that is nice and comfortable, blue berries are in season right now, so I always have fruit in my cereal.

3. Wave the white flag, raise a red flag, fly your freak flag...which 'flag' have you flown most recently? Explain. 

I surrender! I finally hid the last objectionable Trump supporter 'friend' on my facebook.  I am just tired of the election and the memes.  I am truly contemplating not voting, as I have some problems with Hillary and Bill as well.  I worry that if I don't vote at all, Trump might get in, and it would be all my fault.  I wonder if we have a third party on the MO ballot. If you are for Trump you can pass on my blog or not....This is my last post on the subject....maybe.

4. According to Conde Nast Traveler, these are the seven best places to visit in July-

a boat safari in Botswanna's Okavango Delta, Riviera Maya Mexico (it's whale shark season and apparently you can swim with them), Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, Pamploma Spain, St. Petersburg Russia, the Fuji Rock Festival at Mount Naeba Japan, the Salzburg Festival in Salzburg Austria

If time and money weren't factors would you want to see any/all of these? Which would you most like to see and why? 

I've been to Japan and had a wonderful time, but not really interested in any kind of rock festival.  Spain, Austria and Russia would be interesting though,  Africa or Mexico would hold no interest for me.  Now I've been to Yellowstone, but the smell put me off, when I was younger and I mostly felt car sick when we went to see all the hot water and paint pots. Other than that, it is beautiful and would be cooler than MO in July, so I would love to go back to Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons in our RV.

5. Grilled cheese, pimento cheese, or mac and cheese...your favorite from the cheesy treats listed?  

This month I have been feasting on Swiss and Pepper Jack grilled cheese sandwiches, but I love Mac and Cheese too.

6. What makes you sweat? 

I would love to say....I don't sweat....I glisten, however, since the "change" I glisten, at the drop of a hat, and profusely, from the top of my head.  I always thought that after that....hot flashes would cease....but not for me.

7. Your favorite movie with a 'patriotic' theme of some sort?  

I always loved the play and movie 1776, also love the mini-series John Adams. Independence Day is a hoot.  I hear the sequel is not as good, so I won't be seeing it until it is free on Netflix.

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

The sky is dark this morning, with Thunder storms all around us.  We have to go to a blood draw for Mr BC this morning. The pups will get a walk, as soon as I finish this post, as long as it is not raining. then I am in for the rest of the day with my laundry.