Spring HodgePodge

1. April is Lawn and Garden Month. On a scale of 1-10 what's the current state of your lawn and/or garden. (10=a showpiece, 1=send in the professionals). Tell us about any lawn or garden plans you have for this month,
Send in the professionals, we have a half acre of green growth that we have to
have mowed. This year we are going to invest in a riding mower and I plan to fix up the area that would be considered the front yard.

2. "Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there."~Thomas Fuller  What does this quote mean to you? It could mean weeds or wildflowers.
We don't necessarily reap what we sow.

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think about God?
Love. I am not not into organized religion, nor am I particularly spiritual, but I respect those who are. I believe in the creative power of a loving and forgiving God.

4. If we were chatting in person, how would I know if you were nervous.
I would probably shift from side to side swaying.

5. Do you like the color yellow? Would I find any in your home or wardrobe? Daffodils, tulips, roses, sunflowers, day lily, black-eyed Susan...which yellow bloom on this list is your favorite? Yellow is not a favorite color I don't wear it and don't have it on my walls. Yellow daffodils and tulips and other colors, are planted in my yard.
 
6. Flip flops or bare feet? Bare feet and sandals, but never rubber flip flops.
 
7. Tell us about any Easter plans, celebrations, or traditions you'll carry out this month. I was hoping to be in California for Easter.  I have some thing that are being shipped to the boys instead.
 
8.  Insert your own random thought here. Spring brought better health for Mr BC. I am having cataract surgery on my other eye tomorrow, finally. So we are hoping to get out to see the grandsons in May.

 

Still Here Under All This Clutter

Been experimenting with my on-screen key board. I have my new keyboard from Amazon, and I am going to try to install it myself. It looks easy on Youtube, yeah sure!  

I have been in a flurry of Spring cleaning; and now that the dining room table has been discovered, I will give it a try!  Whew, that took forever....like typing on my phone without the fat fingers.  If the repair doesn't work I am getting a new computer.  This one is ancient and hasn't worked well since I downloaded Windows 10.

Enough of writing! I'm going to post some funny/interesting stuff to get them out of my files.

 

My Computer Keyboard is Messed Up

Waiting for repairs, can't even easily comment. I'll be back! 
 

A Fishy Hodgepodge

 Fish out of water, big fish in a small pond, living in a fishbowl, packed in like sardines, this is a fine kettle of fish, plenty of fish in the sea, fish or cut bait...which fishy phrase most recently applies to some area of your life?
I am sometimes a fish out of water here in Southwest MO. I am truly living blue in a red state, and I am actually, slightly purple, on some matters.  I am not orange at all, however!

 1. Have you ever been fishing? Did you catch a fish? If so did you keep it or throw it back? If you haven't been fishing is that something you'd like to try? I would go trout fishing with my dad up close to Yosemite when I was young. I have caught a fish, I did not throw it back, I ate it.
 

2. What's something you're always fishing for in your purse, wallet, desk, or kitchen junk drawer? I am always fishing for change in the bottom of my purse. Where I just toss it.

3. Your favorite fish tale or movie? Salmon Fishing in the Yemen about believing in the impossible. I love Ewan McGregor.

4. Are you sunrise, daylight, twilight or night? Explain why you chose your answer. I am sunrise, as far as beginning my day and nearing the twilight of my life.

5. What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? I have a winter coat that I bought when we first moved here from CA that I still wear, though not this winter.  I don't hold on to old clothes, unlike Mr BC who hangs on to everything. He still has his wedding shoes.

6. We've got one more month of (officially) winter here in the Northern hemisphere. Are you feeling the need for a getaway? What's been the best and worst part of your winter so far? Well it started out with Mr BC being unwell and is ending on a high note.  I am sitting in MO in February, with my front door open, enjoying the fine weather.  But this is Missouri, if you don't like the 

weather,

  

7.  The Wednesday Hodgepodge lands on National Margarita Day...will you be celebrating? Frozen or on the rocks? Are you a Jimmy Buffet fan? If so, what's your favorite JB tune? Yes, I enjoy his music. I listened to an album of greatest hits this morning....It's still Margaritaville!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  My cataract surgery went well and I see so clear out of my right eye.  I can't wear my glasses, as the prescription would be different for the right eye and they aren't comfortable. I find out tomorrow if I can schedule the left eye soon.

Wedesday Hodgepodge

1. What do/did you call your grandparents? If it's something unusual tell us the story behind the name. If you're a grandparent what do your grands call you? Who chose your moniker? I called them Grandma and Grandpa. The boys call us the same, though since my Serbian son in law refers to me in Serbian, as Baba Katja, sometimes the boys call me that as well.

2. Ever taken a road trip along the California Coast? If so what was the highlight of your trek? If not, any desire to do so? If you were to take a trip along the California Coast what's one attraction you'd have on your must-see list? We have often driven up the coast of California, both with my folks when I was young and with Mr BC and the kids.  When the girls were in high school and college, the three of us did a road trip to San Francisco, and had a great time. I particularly enjoy the Big Sur and Carmel. One year I was there for the Monarch Butterfly fly through.

3. What are three things you don't know how to do?
Whistle through two fingers.
Crochet
Play a musical instrument.

4. Tom Peters is quoted as saying, 'Celebrate what you want to see more of.' If that's true what will you celebrate and more importantly, how will you celebrate? I would celebrate more travel.  Mr BC and I would like to celebrate by going to New England.

5. Thursday (February 16) is National Almond Day. Do you like almonds? Which would you prefer-an Almond Joy or a macaron? What's something you make that calls for almonds? Almond Joy, I love almonds and eat them out of the bag.  I don't make anything that calls for almonds. I have put them in cookies.  I will add more almonds or other nut to trail mix.

6. What does Saturday morning look like at your house? Like Sunday through Friday. Really hoping Mr BC's recovery will continue, we want to fly to CA in April. Then Saturday and the rest of the week will be fun with the grandkids.

7. Share with us a favorite book you've read this winter. 
Man in the High Castle, by Phillip K Dick.
The Sun King, by Nancy Mitford.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The cataract surgery took just about 30 minutes.  I felt no pain, and even now it only feels like I have a big eyelash in my eye.  I only have to wear the bandages tonight and the shield when I go to bed, for a week. I go back tomorrow and put in eye drops for about a month. I am hoping the results are good.

My Friendly Fill-ins and Friday Fragments

This is a fun meme co-hosted by McGuffy's Reader and 15 and Meowing. Be sure to visit and join in the fun!

1. My favorite kind of cookie is Chewy Peanut Butter made with crunchy peanut butter.

2. Cathy Bates would play me in a movie about my life.

3. Love is  mine for the last  51 years.                        .

4. For Valentine's Day,  I will take Mr BC to the Dialysis Clinic to meet with his ladies, and I will prep for my cataract surgery on Wednesday.  I have eye drops 3x a day and a protein snack at bedtime, then fast.  Maybe we can go to lunch, the doctor appointment is at 11:00am.  I found a way to celebrate.   

                           .

Well, I went to my new doctor Monday, our previous one retired.  This one is young enough that she won't be retiring any time soon. But moving on....could be a thing. She is the one Mr BC picked, and I liked her so....... she is the one...for both of us. She seems so caring. She has a better chair side manner than the last one, and we can talk.

Sitting here watching the news, though...I usually mute it when the talking heads come on, with their opinions.  I decided I wasn't going to watch it, because stress.......I will just let the courts and congress work it out.....and concentrate on George and Amal's twins.😏

Mr BC is better, and feeling like he might feel like doing things soon. Spoke to my DD1 last Sunday, they were heading to Legoland for.....OMG.....their birthdays!  Last week was so busy with Mr BC getting out of the hospital, I totally let the 3rd and 4th go by without a thought of my daughter's and grandsons birthdays. What an awful grandma I am!  Thank goodness, I sent some book gifts with DD2, the week before. I need to get on Amazon and check out some stuff. 😓

Thursday 13- How I Am a Child Again

Now that I am old and retired, I am and can, start doing all those things that are fun and childlike, again. 

1. "You're not the boss of me." I am so glad I don't have a boss, or dress code so that:

2. I can wear play clothes all day.

3. I go outside without worrying how my hair looks and sometimes I can forget to run a brush through it.

 4. I can take a nap and sleep like a baby any time I need it. I can go to bed early, without a fuss. However, I can't usually stay up late without falling asleep in my chair, with my mouth open....drooling.

5. I don't have to be a team player....if I don't want to be. I can be selfish if it applies to the situation, and think only about myself. Mr BC of course is the exception.

6. Unlike, my teenage and grown up self, I am not afraid to be myself. If I want to cry and throw a tantrum, I will. I don't.....but, I would.  Many times I say what is on my mind more that usual, and sad to say....not always appropriate.

7. I don't have homework....only housework, which I don't have to do if I don't want to, since hardly anyone drops by without calling first.

8. I can take up coloring in my pillow fort if I want to....Maybe after the cataract surgery, when I can see again.  I still like to sometimes, do silly stuff.

9. I have become interested in Fairy Tales again.
I watched Once Upon a Time and Grimm, for several seasons. My newest obsession is Emerald City.

10. I have the time, to be curious. If I have a question I can ask the internet..."Why?" as often as I want.  the internet doesn't get irritated by too many questions.

11. I can be goofy. I can remember, when as a kid, we used to get in trouble for giggling and goofing around. As grandma, I act silly and ridiculous with  my grandsons. 

12. I want to enjoy that time, when life is simple. Kids know their colors, multiplication tables, and nursery rhymes. Kids don't know, what they   don't know, and they, don't care. All a kid knows is to be happy. They are blissfully unaware of most of the the things that would make me worried or upset. I want to be that blissful.  

13. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. And if you want to discuss this further, you'll have to catch me first, 'cause..."Tag! You're it."

Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.  ~Jean de la Bruyere 
 

Hope you have fun visiting the other players. It's a great way to make friends!

Wednesday HodgePodge

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. What's the last thing you did that someone else thought was super? DD2 was so happy when I gave her some reward points to rent a car for a week, during her recent trip to CA.

2. The last thing you ate that tasted superb?  
Pastries in Paris. Fresh macarons are the best!

3. Supersensitive, superstitious, superwoman, superambitious, supercilious, supervisor, superficial...pick a super word from the list and tell us how it relates to your life in some way recently or currently.   
If I were a superwoman, I wouldn't be so tired at the end of the day. But I have taken on the role of caregiver for Mr BC. He can't start or end the day without me helping with the dialysis connection, so he says! 

4. Do you love easily? If you're comfortable doing so, explain why you think that is. I'm not sure what this question is.  It is easy to love, the folks that I love.

5. Valentine's Day lands on a Tuesday this year. Will you mark the day in some way? If you're celebrating with a dinner out somewhere will it be on Tuesday or will you celebrate over the weekend?  
Mr BC wants to take some flowers to his dialysis team, as his appointment is on Valentine's day.  I have my cataract surgery on the next day so, I don't think dinner is in the cards.

6. What's something you are loving right now? 
Mercy Street and Victoria on PBS.

7 Write a three word (or less) phrase you'd like to see on a Valentine candy heart.  

8.  Insert your own random thought here. IMHO

I know, the President is entitled to nominate anyone he sees fit to give him advice and certainly we saw the judicial appointment coming.  But I don't see the Betsy DeVos appointment.  He should have rewarded her support with something like an ambassadorship to some  less important country. Rather than putting her in charge of something so important as education.  Her hearings were farcical, many Republicans, thought she was unqualified. It will be interesting to see if she is up to the job, but at the expense of kids?

 

Sunday Stealing

1.  What is the worst nickname that anyone has ever called you? 

(I may have posted this before.)  Buddha, when I was in 7th grade, I use to stand with my arms folded across my chest, that was bigger than most other 12 year old's. The worst part was it was my male teacher, who said it to me so I was even more embarrassed. It was picked up by some of the boys. I hated that man.

2.  Have you got a favorite flower? Camellias, Mom had planted a bush right outside my bedroom window.  

 
3.  Do you add a sauce, ketchup or other artificial flavorings to your food? I like balsamic glazes. Trader Joes is my favorite.

4.  Describe yourself using only words that begin with the letter 'T'. Traveled, Towheaded, and lately Tetchy. 

5.  What is your lover's pet name for you? Honey.
 
6.  What is your least favorite color? Olive green
 
7.  Who did you vote for in the last election, and did they win? She did not win!
 
8.  What is/was your grandfathers’ names? Amos and Harry, they sound like a comedy team.
 
9.  What is the best present you ever received? 
A diamond watch.

10.  What is 17 1/2% of 97 + 42 x (6 / 2) – 137 ? [My note: Holy shit!] 
Math(s) really??? There better be a funny answer!

11.  What would be the best possible way you could die? Old age, in my sleep. Worst way, Fire.

12.  Given the choice of absolutely anything, what would be your dream job? Rocking babies in the neo natal unit of a hospital.

13.  What position do you sleep in at night? On my right side or on my back.

14.  What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?  See Question 1.  It did not help my self worth.

15.  Who is your favorite fictional character? Elizabeth Bennet
16.  What food do you hate most in the world? OKRA

17.  When was the last time you were ill? Right now, I have a cold.

18.  If you were transformed into a wild creature, what would it be? Koala Bear or Sloth
19.  What was your favorite toy as a child, and whatever happened to it? My first record player.  It broke. I also had a Tiny Tears, she was rubber and she disintegrated, after about 20 years in the garage.
   

20.  What's the most amazing thing you've ever seen?  The Pantheon in Rome last year. Even more than the Vatican or Colosseum.
The Pantheon is a former Roman temple, now a church Santa Maria ad Martyres , in Rome, Italy, on the site of an earlier temple commissioned by Marcus Agrippa during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD). The present building was completed by the emperor Hadrian and probably dedicated about 126 AD. He retained Agrippa's original inscription, which has confused its date of construction as the original Pantheon burnt down so it is not certain when the present one was built. ^Wickipedia
 

Roberta Dragan -Via Wikipedia

The following picture were taken by me on our trip in 2015

I don't know why I didn't go out further in the piazza and take a photo of the Front. I guess it was because of the horses, just outside the portico.

This is a huge, awesome and amazing building. It was on my top ten list of places, to see on that trip.