Acting the Fool-Wednesday Hodgepodge

  1. What are two or three expectations you have of yourself? I am not sure what this question is all about.  At my age I am glad to wake up every morning, feeling okay. 

2. In what way does your outdoor space need sprucing up this spring? We need to get rid of some hackberry bushes that are growing in the front of the house. Some pruning and some planting around the front steps.

3. According to this site (Roadtrippers), six of North America's most wondrous waterfalls are-Webster's Falls in Ontario, Upper Whitewater Falls in North Carolina, Havasu Falls in the Grand Canyon, Multnomah Falls in Oregon, The Lower Yellowstone Falls, and Niagara.  Have you seen any on the list? Which one on the list would you most like to visit? Prettiest waterfall not on the list that you've seen in person? I have seen the Yellowstone falls and they are beautiful. I would love to see the Yosemite Falls in spring again.  The last time we were there, was in August, and it was a trickle.

4. Looking back, what's something you wish you'd done as a teenager? I wish I had better self-esteem, I think I would have expressed my self out loud, if I had been as outspoken as my girls.

5. Ham...yes please or no thank you? If you said yes please which of the following do you like best-baked ham with all the trimmings, a ham and cheese sandwich, prosciutto with melon, a ham biscuit, a bowl of split pea and ham soup, or a slice of pizza topped with ham and pineapple? NO, I don't like ham, Sam I am.

6. Are you typical of your generation? How so? I am a Baby Boomer and fairly typical. I grew up in the 50's. Wikipedia's definition: 

• Key characteristics: experimental, individualism, free spirited, social cause oriented.

It goes on to say: Starting in the 1980s, the boomers became more conservative, many of them regretting the cultural changes they brought in their youth. 

 I don't  necessarily agree with this statement. I am much more liberal than, say, Mr BC who was a war baby, and his cohorts here in the midwest. I just don't vocalize it, which has always been my problem, see question #4. 

7. April rolls in at the end of the week, and in keeping with that theme...'act the fool', 'nobody's fool' 'a fool's errand', 'could have fooled me'...which foolish idiom most recently applies to you? I am nobody's fool, as regard to Donald Trumps politics.  And he has fooled me regarding his staying power in the GOP, I have been saying....this will be his downfall....several times during his campaign. And to my dismay....he comes back.  I just said it again this morning! I don't think it will be true. This has been a election period that could change the US, not for the good, because it is so ugly.

8.  Insert your own random thought here. Enough seriousness, some puppies for your pleasure the last 2 are pictures of my silly Gwennie.

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Swiped Meme

Stolen from: Love Me Some Surveys

1. Did someone die in that last movie you watched?
We watched San Andreas Friday night.  A lot of people died in mind boggling quaking.  Dwayne Johnson actually made it seem almost real???? He is kind of cute.
2. Are the trees pretty colors outside for you now or at all? 
They are starting to turn, it might get cool enough this week to make the colors burst.  We are joining our British car group for a leaf peeping ride to Lake of the Ozarks next weekend, I hope for real color then. 

My house in a good year!

3. Have you ever made a bad first impression on someones parents? I don't think so. 
4. When's the last time you video recorded something on TV? 
When we lived in Ca, we had a DVR with our cable and used it a lot. Now, with streaming TV, we don't need it, and we don't get it with our basic cable here in MO.
5. What is a career you wanted to have when you were younger, and still kind of want to have now?  

I wanted to be a nurse or a ballet dancer.  I admire nurses, but after volunteering at a hospital when I was older, I wouldn't want to be one. Ballet dancer is up there with wanting to be a princess, certainly out of the question at my age.

6. What are your views on
 sunflowers? Van Gogh liked them. The seeds are tasty but not really worth the effort.

Giphy

7. What is your favorite incense or candle scent? 
Baking smells. Apple or Pumpkin pie this time of year.  I burned a lot of candles in the dining room before I got my new floor.  The carpet was awful. I am not fond of strong flower smells.
8. Caramel apples or candy apples? Neither, I want to keep what teeth I still have.  I really didn't like them so much as a kid. either.
9.  Have you ever walked into a wall? I have walked into sliding glass doors before...never got hurt badly...but felt very silly.

10. Would you ever or do you make your dog wear a bandanna? They wear them to the car, after a groomer visit, unless I remember to tell the girls not to bother.  I am not big on them and the pups don't care for them. I don't dress the dogs.

11. Do you find dandelions when they're gone all white pretty? 
I use to blow on them to make a wish when I was a kid before I found out they were seeds and just spread to the rest of the lawn. My favorite white weed is Queen Anne's lace, it grows in our wood pile, in the yard.

12. What makes you laugh? Funny babies or dogs.

13. The scariest moment of your life? 
About 30 years ago, Mr BC was following me home after taking a load of furniture etc, to a new house we bought.  Someone, clip me on the back of my car and I spun around several times and ended up facing the other direction on the freeway.  It was late, the guy was drunk and Mr BC was scared too, in the other car... had the where-with-all to slow the traffic behind him from hitting us.  I had DD2 in the car, asleep, with me.  She slept thru the whole thing. It was like seeing your life pass in front of you.  Luckily we were not hurt.
14. What’s the coolest thing you’ve bought lately? 
I bought a bag similar to this in Italy. A souvenir to bring home souvenirs. 

15. What’s the worst you’ve had to do because of losing a bet? I do not have an answer for this.  I guess lose money in a slot machine. I remember we use to play penny-ante poker with friends, many years ago and the brother, of the couple, was caught trying to cheat. A big scene.     

Chatting #148

1.  D3 is facing wisdom teeth removal. Have you had your wisdom teeth removed? Yes, several years ago.  I have had lots of dental work since. Just this past year, I have had a lot of painful and expensive work....take care of your teeth.

2.  Today Wendell is serving iced tea, iced coffee, and carrot juice. He wants me to ask you which you'd prefer.  I am loving ice coffee this summer, so that will do, Carrot juice is not my cup o' tea, Wendell, but ice tea would be my second choice.

3.  If you use a crock pot, do you have a favorite recipe? If not, what is your favorite, easy "go to" recipe? Crockpot enchiladas, it is sort of a layered casserole. Layer your enchilada ingredients, with your sauce, and about 6-8 tortillas I used canned sauce, and cook 5-6 hours.  I make it in the oven the rest of the year, but in the crock pot in the summer.  Tamale pie is good too.  Recipes are online for both.

4.  Do you prefer to wash dishes by hand or dishwasher? Yes, I know some of us probably don't like dish washing. Wendell flat out refuses! I just answered this question this weekend and I like to wash by hand first thing in the morning so that I can soak my hands in hot water. I set them to dry in the dishwasher, then run them all when I get a load.

5.  What are you looking forward to?  Back to dental work, I want to get my bridge work completed so I can chew again. I am also ready to get the RV fixed and get some travel in this summer.

I just took the doggies for a walk and ran into Maggie and Jiggs heading for home.  We weren't able to go to the Blue Grass festival with them on the 4th, and they said, as usual, since Mr BC and I weren't with them, the weather was beautiful, and maybe we are weather jinxes. I wish the RV were already serviced so we could have traveled locally this week as the weather has been dry and rather cool.  

Random XV- Sunday Stealing

Random XV
1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet? I have had to get rid of many shoes that I can't wear anymore so, I guess my Crocs are the oldest shoes in my closet, about 5 years old.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety? 1 box of Thin Mints, but I gave them $20 in donation.  I like the Girl Scouts.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? I can probably waltz somewhat.  I remember going to a cotillion class in 7th grade, in the evenings, where we learned manners and dancing. And then there was a dance at the end of it.  The boys had to be dragged to it and the girls loved it.  This was about 1959.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager? I think so....maybe because of the manners class???  I very seldom did things behind my folks back or lie as I was pretty bad at it.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see? None before the show.  Since the Oscars, I have seen Philomena, American Hustle, Gravity, and best Animated....Frozen....just last week.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself? Just do it yourself and get it over with.

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7. What is your favorite day of the week and why? Wednesdays, as twice a month it is SS pay day.  When you are retired....one day is like the rest.  We try to get things done on weekdays when it is less crowded.

8. What’s the best compliment you’ve ever received?? "You don't look old enough to be retired."  I just got it at the hairdressers last week.

9. Do hospitals make you queasy? Not queasy, I am phobic about picking up germs, and use the hand cleaner if I touch anyone or anything.

 
10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card? I'm not really a shopper....maybe I would max it out for a trip or a new kitchen.

11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items? Yes, to a certain extent.  I will try new things. It depends on what products they are.  Cleaners, toilet paper, cosmetics.....definitely. 

12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels? Nope

13. What’s one thing you’re deeply proud of — but would never put on your résumé? I once got a B in Geometry.....math not my strong suit.

14. What’s the most out-of-character choice you’ve ever made? I brought home a new dog from PetSmart charities, a month ago.  It was very out of character and I surprised everyone.  He is a 7 year old sweet heart. His name is Casper.
We now have 3 dogs.

15. What’s your personal anthem or theme song?
"Sittin' on the dock of the Bay" Otis Redding

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Peep into Spring Chat

http://www.everydayruralty.com/

1.  What are you doing for Easter? We enjoy a non-secular spring celebration this time of year.  I did leave some goodies for my grandsons baskets with their mom, but we will just be enjoying the Spring that has finally come to Missouri.

2.  How many spring flowers have you noticed the last week or so? I flew back from Santa Barbara yesterday, and the forsythia have the last of the yellow blooms and my redbud trees are in full bloom.  My daffodils are gone....and the tulips have not come into bloom yet, so I can look forward to that. One of joys of my first spring in this house, (2 years ago) was all the bulbs my MIL had planted.  We had never been here in the spring before, when she was living in this house. It was a big surprise.

3.  What was your favorite thing in an Easter basket, or as dessert at Easter dinner? I am still a lover of jelly beans and Peeps.

Click to Biggify

4.  If you were a dog, what kind would you be? A Welsh Corgi, she gets a lot of attention when I walk her and she is cute as a button.  

5.  What are your favorite pizza toppings? I always get a vegetarian pizza, because all the traditional meat toppings give me heartburn anymore.  We just had a yummy one delivered last night since Mr BC had not done any real shopping for the whole time I was gone (3 weeks). When he ran out of the things I had left for him, he started eating things he didn't have to cook. There wasn't a box of cereal left on the shelf.

Cocacabana-Saturday 9)

Saturday 9: Copacabana

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here

1) This song refers to the merengue and the cha-cha. Are you a good dancer? 
Not really, but when I hear the music, I am enthusiastic.

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2) Dances like the merengue and cha-cha are featured on Dancing with the Stars. Are you a loyal DWTS viewer? 

No, however it is probably the only "reality" show I would watch, if Mr BC would let me.  I enjoy dance contests. but I would not want to endure the chatter that would come if Mr BC had to watch it too.

3) The Copa girl in the song, Lola, wears yellow feathers in her hair and a dress cut down to there. If we were going to the clubs tonight, what would you wear? 
The last club I went to was Sam's Club and I wore jeans.  

4) The real Copacabana nightclub was on East 60th Street in New York. It was used as a setting for the movie Goodfellas. Do you have a favorite mobster movie? 
The first Godfather. It is a classic, I also enjoyed the Sopranos, and watched them all. 

5) Our featured artist, Barry Manilow, has unfortunately spent a great deal of this young century in the hospital -- broken nose, face lift, chest pains and two hip surgeries. Tell us about your most recent trip to the doctor, ER, or dentist. 
Wednesday, I went to an orthopedist, finally, about my ankle (I broke it 6 years ago). It has been affecting my interaction with the grandkids, exercise an Mr BC is tired of me stumbling around on it. "Go to the Dr!" So I did.  It is arthritis, (I knew that.) He gave me a different anti-inflammatory, and referred me for an orthotic. I go back in 30 days. I am also scheduled for oral surgery next month, for an implant. When I go for check-ups I get my moneys worth.

6) Manilow told US Magazine that he enjoys nude sunbathing. Have you ever skinny dipped or sunbathed au naturel? 
NO. Never have, never will.  

7) Before he became famous as a performer, Manilow was a very successful jingle writer. "Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there …" and "You deserve a break today at McDonald's …" were his. Tell us about a TV commercial you saw recently.
Any thing with dogs in it.  Subaru has some good ones.

8) The Manilow faithful are known as Fanilows and proudly wear Barry hoodies, wristwatches and even dog tags. Do you have any clothes that feature a recording artist? 
No, but I have a Les Miserables hat, that I got when DD2 and I saw it in London several years ago.

9) In 2005, Manilow refused to respond when Larry King inquired about his sexuality. Do you think it's rude for interviewers to ask personal questions? Or is it something a performer should expect because it goes with the job? 
I am not a fan of Manilow, but it would not be because of his sexuality. It is not anyone's business, but he should expect that his fans might be curious. Interviewers should not ask and snoops should not try to "out" him.

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ODDS and Ends

Stuff I Found Looking Around

Odds and Ends from my Picture Files.

 

The Back Half-Sunday Stealing

Well we are back from California and had a wonderful time with our Grandsons and DD1. On the last few days the boys came down with a cold and of course by the time we got on the road we were starting to sniffle too.  When we reached Texas we were flattened by the bug and it took us four days to get to Dallas.  We stayed two of those days in a KOA  not moving forward.  We got home Friday night and have been slowly coming back to life.  We had a flu shot but we were downed by a mighty bug. When we called DD1 on Friday the small sniffles had magnified to lay the whole family low! I felt barely up too doing the SS below, but I got to get back to Normal

Our Fur Babies Had a Great Christmas

A Little About Me-Sunday Stealing

 

 

Who is your favorite artist (Any field.): Jean-Claude Picot, he paints lively colors of the Cote D’Azure, I have 2 of his seriolithographs. They are still packed away, one looks similar to the one above. I like them because they have a painting in them similar to the one above.

Describe yourself: I am a short, sweet, slightly overweight Senior Citizen. I have a moderately liberal, independent out look. I tend to be more humanistic in my beliefs. Others can believe in a higher power if they want, as long as they respect that I am unsure. I really don't want their viewpoint on how to believe, impressed upon me.

The Social Meme-Sunday Stealing

1. Where was your profile picture taken?

Bond....James Bond-Saturday 9

 

Comfort-Writer's Workshop

For this week's Mama Kat's workshop, I chose prompt #3:  List 5 things that bring you comfort.

Like a Phoenix

Well Winter was mild and dry, Spring was mild and dry and Summer has been in triple digits, very dry and hot, both day and night.  What will Fall bring?This summer has been alot hot and humid with no rain or usual thunderstorms. Meteorologist are calling this the hottest, most drought ridden on record. I knew when we moved here, winters would be cold, summers hot and humid and we would always be grateful for Fall and Spring

This week we finally got a break in the heat, it was often 98 or 99 degrees, truly a break by about 10 degrees, from what it had been.  We have been getting up very early to take the poor neglected pups for a walk.  This morning when we got up it was 69 degrees with a breeze.  We left at 7:30 for our walk and it was so mild and lovely, we decided to go to the local park instead of the cemetery.  It is part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy .  It is wonderful, they have taken old and abandoned rail way corridors and turned them into Parks and Trails for everyone to enjoy. Ours is the Frisco Green way between Webb City and Joplin.  Today it was lovely. 

The dogs were stopping to sniff everything along the trail. Totem thought the fallen hedge apples were tennis balls. Since our walk I've been reading them. They are considered a natural pesticide but not poisonous to mammals, I am going to get some and try it out.  I think they would be interesting in arrangements as well. Some of them seemed to have been eaten by wild animals.

Today was a treat.  The weather is to be mild (90's) the rest of the week, with some showers and thunderstorms predicted this weekend.  I am hoping this is a turning point for the summer.  I am sure there will be more hot weather but I hope that Fall will rise from the ashes of Summer and be beautiful.

Little Boy Lost

I am participating in Mama Kat's Writers Workshop and I have chosen the prompt.....Share a story about a stray you took in or an animal you once rescued.
I originally posted about Howard in February of 2009......

The newest member of our family is Howard... on the right....Mr. Bankerchick rescued him from traffic on Howard St....a few days after we got back from SB after a week with Лука,. We notified the Humane Society and made posters in the neighborhood. He was matted and starving. We think he's a forclosure dog, just left when owners leave the home. We have lots of them in San Bernardino County. We decided to keep him after we received no inquiries on him. He is a doll, housebroken, friendly, likes to cuddle and now, Gwennie's best friend. The Gwenster was jealous at first but they are now good buddies. We are taking him to the Vet next week for shots and then getting him licensed.  That was Spring, 2009.......

Well we took him to the vet and got a dog licence for him.  He was such a welcome new member of our family.  DD2 gave him a bath one afternoon in April and took off his collar.  I guess that maybe he was a runner, because he escaped from the front patio, Gwennie would have been to big to get out the gate but Howard was mostly fluff so he must have wiggled out.  DD2 scoured the neighborhood looking for him, we backtracked with the Humane Society, looking this time for a lost dog.  We were heartbroken. When we didn't find him after several weeks, we decided all was lost.  I would love to say at this time he came wandering back into our lives, but that was not to be.

We realized with Howard in our lives, that we needed to be a 2 dog family, so we decided to rescue from the Humane Society. We blocked access to the front patio to doggies and went in search of a new dog.  One Saturday, we found TOTEM  and our family was complete. Totem, so glad to find a forever home, has been a dutiful puppy never leaving our side. Even though he sometimes has run out the front door, he comes back when called.  Can't say the same of Gwennie, so we have both of them microchipped.

The pups have really enriched our lives and keep us active. We have decided to help the Humane Society here in Joplin by fostering dogs awaiting a forever home. I am sure I will have many stories to tell as we embark on that experience.

What to do in June-Mama Kat's Writers Workshop

I have been so busy the past few months, that I have neglected my blog. I still read my favorites and try to comment when I can. I checked out Momma Kat's Writers Workshop today and saw a prompt that I can whip out quickly. I chose  Ten To-Dos in June. (inspired by Denise) The first on my list will be:

1.  Close escrow on our house, finish packing and get out of California. This will take up the first half of June.

2. Arrive in Missouri and be mugged by the puppies.  I have been gone for over a month.  I miss them so much.

3.  Find a doctor and dentist in our new town.  I need to have prescriptions refilled and since I swallowed a crown that fell off last month get it replaced, with the new dentist.

4.  Wave good-by and good luck to DD2 who will be moving into her own house.  She has been living with us for quite a while, as she was completing her degree.  She has actually moved in but has been house-sitting for us with the puppies.

5. Run around the house naked.....if I want... and express my own opinions, without getting into a long discussion of how wrong I am.

6.  Watch some television.  I have been without cable and TV since I've been in CA. We turned it off in November and moved the TV to Missouri.  I did leave the WIFI on so we could watch Netflix.

7.  Start unpacking some of our possessions, move out some of my MIL possessions that we have been living with while waiting for my own stuff. Enjoy the new couch we will bring with us from this trip.  Enjoy having our garage back, once the unpacking is done.

8.  Take the pups to a new vet, to get Gwennies teeth cleaned and get heartworm prevention. (we did not have to worry about this in our old home)

9.   Plan a week of vacation for July with the RV.

10.  Really start enjoying our new home and living mortgage free!  Maybe we can start enjoying our retirement!