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.

 

Proud of Who they Became-Sat9

Saturday 9: Super Duper Love
(recommended by Bankerchick)

If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.
Joss Stone has a wonderful bluesy sound that I really like and a great name.


1) The lyrics say, "I'm as proud as a girl can be." Tell us about something of which you are proud. 
I am proud of the women my girls have become. I am also proud of the grandsons, they are sweet loving boys. 

2) This song is from her first CD, The Soul Sessions. She's told interviewers that the first CD she ever owned was by Aretha Franklin: Greatest Hits. So while we're talking firsts, do you remember your first CD (or tape or record)? 
I got some 33 1/3 records of classical music when I got my first good record player way back in the 50's. Mom and Dad got them as premiums from the grocery store every week.  Dad said he didn't want me to play rock and roll junk.  I think I got my interest in classical music from those records, but I still bought rock and roll once I had some money.

3) Last year, two men were convicted of plotting to kill Joss Stone. Even though she had (fortunately!) never even met the men, she still had to testify during their trial. Have you ever had to speak to a judge? 
Yes, when I did jury duty, he asked me some questions and the lawyers passed me. I have never had to appear before a judge otherwise.

4) Joss is frequently in the British press because of her friendship with Princes William and Harry. Who among your friends leads the most exciting life? If I consider DD1 my friend, which I do, she has been able to travel a lot with her husband.  This Sept they are going to Majorca. Most of our friends now are pretty sedate, although, my high school friend, Lauretta, takes off on trips in her RV when ever the spirit hits her. 
 

5) Because of dyslexia, Joss had trouble in school and dropped out when she was 16. What's the last grade you completed?  
High School and 3 years of college.  

6) She provided the voice of the villainness for the James Bond video game, Blood Stone. Do you have a Playstation or Xbox? 
Nope!

7) Sam is especially crazy this morning because she can't find her phone. What's the last thing you misplaced? 
Probably my cell phone and many other thing I can't remember!  Things disappear on my cluttered dining room table.

8) After composing this Saturday 9, Sam is off to Lowe's to pick up some heavy duty indoor/outdoor trash bags. Will you be in any stores this weekend?  
No money this weekend after my very expensive dental work was completed, but I can chew on my right side again.  I do need to go to Lowes as well I need some front door mats.

9) Do you consider yourself more book smart, or street smart? 
I am more book smart,  It might be hard to scam me still..... but, I
definitely could not handle myself in a fight and I can't run very fast. So I am smart enough to stay out of trouble's way. 

The One Thing - Sunday Stealing

From: Cool Free Surveys

One Thing ..... 

that makes you smile:  Those Boys!

that makes you cry: I seem only to cry at sad movies any more.

that you love to do on the weekends:  We are retired, so the weekend is usually when we stay home and away from traffic and crowds.  


that you do for only yourself:  Play computer games....usually word games to keep my mind sharp.

that you have in your underwear drawer that's NOT underwear: My earrings, which I forget to put on.

that you do before going to sleep:  You're not suppose to do it if you have trouble sleeping...but I read a book until I am sleepy.that you do within the first 15 minutes after waking:  Make Coffee.

that's in your purse:  Werther's butterscotch candy.

that you actually LIKE to clean:  Hand wash dishes in soapy HOT water in the morning.  It helps with the arthritis. 

that you DETEST cleaning:  Toilets.

that other people would find odd about you:  I couldn't do this, The idea of falling or blown off a cliff is mind boggling to me it can make my stomach turn.  The Grand Canyon is totally off my bucket list. Driving around a cliff edge makes me Very nervous.

NOPE!

that you would buy if I handed you a $100 bill: I'd love to go to the antique mall here in town.

that you feel you HAVE to do before you die:  I have posted this answer before,  I am going to take my husband to London before we die.

How I Should Have Spent My Vacation

I would love to say that our vacation to Santa Barbara was an unqualified success.....but that would be painting too rosy of a picture.  The Boys, including my son-in law were in the middle of a virus.....that just kept giving.  SIL brought it home from Florida, the previous week.  Two days later DD1 came down with it and was hit harder than the grandsons.  Then Caшa, who had seemed to be improving, got an ear infection, so off we went to Urgent Care.  Everyone would have a good day then the next.....be really congested, or coughing.....Grandma and Grandpa Bankerchick came down with it the second week  and all bets for fun, were off.  Gratefully the Au Pair never got it...so we all got ....some... rest.  But it put a damper on the plans for the visit

Band on the Run-Saturday 9

1) This song is about a band of musicians that escapes on an adventure. Do you consider yourself spontaneous and adventurous? I am somewhat adventurous, but I like to plan a little.

Chatting on the Porch

1.  Do you have any type of air cleaner in your home?
Just the filter on the air conditioner.  I use to have a couple of ionizers, but even though it collected gunk on the bars...I never thought the air was that much cleaner.  I always have the air humidifier going in the winter around here.  That really does make a difference.

Growth-Mama Kat Writer's Workshop

L to R DD2, Mr BC, BC, DD1

I chose Prompt #2 Five random facts about you and your family. (inspired by Nice Girl Notes) for my Mama Kat's posting today.  Also this is the first picture I have scanned on my new scanner....

Hooray Me!

•   Mr. BC played football when he was in High School.  He had surgery on his knee and now his knees are shot, he will start knee replacement this spring.  Information is out now about the terrible life time brain injuries American pro footballers sustain. He grew somewhere along the way and Grandsons will be encouraged toward other sports, thank you very much.

Big Confessions-Sunday Stealing.

                                                            click to get More Drama Comments & Graphics  

1. Have you anything to confess today?

Mama's Shaking-Writers Workshop

DD2 was about 7, and athletically inclined.  She likes tether ball and the monkey bars at school, she plays her version of handball against the garage door for hours at a time. The '84 Olympics were in Los Angeles that year and she was entranced by gymnastics and Mary Lou Retton.  She is lobbying for  tumbling classes so she can be a star too.

Do You Want to Dance?- Saturday 9

animated-gifs.org

1. When was the last time that you danced in public?

At DD1's wedding several years ago, we don't dance a lot.

2. Tell us about one of your closest friends.

Sadly I don't have a close friends right now. I guess my kids and Mr BC are the people I confide in.  I have friends but right now they are not my confidents. friends that I confide with would be my definition of a close friend.

3. What is the most that you have ever lost?

Mr BC would say my sense of humor has been lost for a long time. We have lost the title to the truck, it is here somewhere but our search has come up empty and MO won't let us register until we have it.  CA we are still waiting for out duplicate!

4. What was the last thing that you have done to help a neighbor?
I went over to let the dogs out into the yard when her husband went to the hospital last week.

5. It’s election season. What do you think the priorities of the United States really should be?

The economy and getting folks back to work.  It is not women's reproduction, religion or cutting taxes on the rich.

6. What was the last severe weather situation that you and your neighbors endured?

The folks of Joplin had the tornado in 2011 that we missed because we weren't living here at the time.  But yesterday we had a storm that sent the dogs under the bed.  It rained so hard that I am sure it helped with the drought situation we have been enduring.

7. Have you been or are you a vegetarian? Thoughts?

Mr BC tried several years ago and I sort of went along with it at home.  I found that I was starving for protein, all of the protein substitutes gave me gas. Tried and true vegans will tell me I could do it but I'm not interested.

8. If you had a wish for your future, what would it be?

That Mr BC and I will get healthy and live for a long time so we can enjoy our grandsons and travel all we want.

 

9. Who just doesn’t get it?

She knows who she is.....wait she won't get it.

 

 

It gets me thru the night-Saturday 9

1. What helps you get through the night?

I dunno, Sleep?

2. Do you ALWAYS keep an open mind?

I try, I have always been able to keep an open mind on all 3 juries I have served on in my life.  I will listen before I make any decision. 

3. Who is the wisest person you know?

I think I am the wisest person I know. I am not sure everyone I know would agree with me, but I think I make good decisions most of the time. However,  
wisdom doesn't necessarily mean you are smart.

4. Who is the strongest person you know?

Almost all of the folks I know are not physically strong, but I know a few souls who have other strengths.

5. How would we tell by your behavior if you are having a bad day?

My brow would be furrowed and I would become passive aggressive or sarcastic. I would be talking to myself. I would seldom be confrontational I would be quiet instead.

6. Does your ego sometimes get in your way?

Yes, I really hate to admit I am wrong (my dad was the same way).  I have tried to get better at it by forcing myself to apologize and say I am wrong.  See #5.

7. Do you believe in Zen? If yes, can it be mastered?

I don't know a lot about it but I am sure it can be mastered, even if your aren't a Vulcan.

8. Do you believe you could teach someone, like your child, to be competitive?

I don't personally believe I could teach someone to be competitive.  See #6.

9. Do you believe home is not a place but rather a state of mind?

Yes, I am home now here in MO, but I am also home when I am in Santa Barbara with my grandsons. The house we just sold is not my home, but San Gabriel is the home I grew up in. It is definitely a state of mind.

Ch..Ch...Changes-Saturday 9

1. Do you believe people can truly change?

I believe that people can modify their behavior, they can stop smoking, lose weight, etc. However, it is not possible to change who you are, you can have the appearance of change, that could be longlasting.

2. Do you think there is anything wrong with being average?

No.  It is who you are.  I believe that everyone has something that is exceptional about them.

3. Do you believe in fairy tale love?

I believe in fairy tale infatuation.

4. Has anyone ever spread something malicious about you?

I don't think so....I think people have said something untrue about me.

5. Have you ever done something at a party that you've ever regretted?

Oh yes, every time I ever was intoxicated when I was young and reckless. Once, I passed out at my own party....in the bathroom. I think I fell asleep.

6. How do you go about setting your goals?

I generally start a savings account.

7. Do you believe you deserve everything you want? 

Sure, my wants are so simple.

8. Do you have people in your life you could always count on?
Mr BC and the dogs.  I like to think the rest of the family too.
9. Did you ever make a close friend from someone that you've dated?

Yes, when I was in High School. See here.

Stuck in the Middle-Saturday 9

1. In romance, have you ever been stuck in the middle with someone?
I probably have.... but I was very trusting. Outside of romance, I have always played the (Wo)Man in the Middle, I am a negotiator at heart.

2. Which current commercial is the currently most annoying to you on TV or radio? Too many to count.  There are so many local  ads on TV here in middle earth, and they are generally awful and need to be muted.

3. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
Moving the furniture to vacuum under it.  Baseboards. I really don't do spring cleaning.  I do it all through the year, if I do it at all.

4. What area is your expertise in?
I do a few things well. but I really excel at being a Grandma. DD1 says Лука is always saying "pertend you're Gramma". I also have some good DIY skills and will have a chance this weekend to get started again. I did a great job with the flowers at DD1's wedding, we did most everything ourselves.

5. Have you ever bumped into a former lover/friend  and found out they were now gay or straight depending on your relationship with them? 
Yes. I wrote about it here.

6. When was the last time that you got stabbed in the back?
I usually got good reviews when I worked for the bank, with the exception of one manager I had, about 15years ago, who use to harangue me about my class surveys.  It was a poorly written survey with only 4 points, which would average out low if anyone scored you a two or lower, and surveys can be somewhat subjective anyway. Once we got a better written survey, I generally got better scores. I wouldn't call that back stabbing, just poor management. However, the one time I internally posted for a manager position I got ambushed. When they got around to letting me know that I didn't get the job, the center manager, my manager, and the person who got the job, delivered the news. Then they proceded to let me know what a bad trainer I was, how could I expect to get promoted if I couldn't do the job I already had and here was what I needed to do to fix it, etc. I eventually went to work under that new manager, and flourished, she was such a good boss. Over the years, I realized that it was good that I didn't get that particular job but at the time I really feel that I should have been told I didn't get the job. and then if they wanted to improve performance, have another conversation. I learned some good management skills then, even if they didn't.

7. For a few years in a row, you receive a nice tax refund: do you make an adjustment with your payroll deduction so they’ll take less, or do you leave it that way so that you can continue to receive the big check every spring?
I never had this issue in California, I actually had to have extra money taken out.  When it did happen, I never change the deduction.

8. Do you remember the most naughty night of your life? (And do tell a bit, if comfortable)
I assume we mean sex here? Yes, I remember, that is all you get! This is a family blog, About the only thing naughty I have done, was telling my mother I was going one place (a club meeting) and went cruising  Bob's Big Boy with my friends. I didn't lie alot because I was not very good at it.

9. How would you handle yourself if you were regularly in the press and tabloids?
I might like it for a while, because who doesn't like being the center of attention. I think it could only be good if I was in the press for good reasons. Negative press is very tiresome.

The More I Wish I Knew

Prompt this week was Unfulfilled

A & M Stillwater as Dad may have known it.

I knew what I wanted.  What was my dad’s like as a boy?  I was unfulfilled as he passed away before I could question him completely.  What I knew of him was as a father. I knew that he was accomplished, he went to college at Stillwater, Oklahoma, joined the Marines after college, during WWII. He went to law school on the GI Bill, after he married my mom and raised my little brother and me.

Dad didn’t talk much and when he did he spoke slowly, thinking, on each word, that was a boring to a young kid, so what I have learned about him, his family, my mom, even my husband, who often comes up with information he gleaned from being around him. Now that we have moved to Missouri, I want to hook up more often with my cousins who I have reached out to this Christmas and go to the family reunions, which seem to be less often.  

What I know is he must have been a bit of a rascal.  He didn’t like peas as an adult, because as a kid he ate raw peas until he made himself sick. He was a good looking boy, from the pictures I have seen and he had a girlfriend named Lydia.  He often harassed mom with the song Lydia, the Tattooed Lady. He went to college because he didn’t want to be a farmer. To hear him tell it, to us kids, his youth was not misspent and he was a perfect child. As I grew older I did discover that he would run liquor from Arkansas, back to Stillwater with a frat buddy who had a car. I also learned by asking about a scar on his head, he was kicked out of Marine OCS because of a fight (the guy hit him over the head with a bottle).  Mom always counted it as a blessing as most young men just out of OCs were killed in the Pacific, almost upon arrival. He spent the war in New Found land ferrying Germans to POW camps in Texas. 

So I guess I was not so unfulfilled, but I wish there were more stories told before he died.  Mom is gone since 2002, and she shared what she knew, when I asked.....If only I had asked more.

Dad grew up in Homestead,OK,, stayed in CA after WWII

I had to go to Internet for pictures. Project for 2012 get my family pictures scanned

Conjuring Up Memories

A suffusion of light warms the sanctuary,

Azure blue mosaics rain down from the dome.

Incense permeates the air, 

As the saints overlook the couple, hands raised in blessing.

I smile through my tears, my heart seems about to burst.

The chanting of the choir has stopped and the priest begins.

I do not recognize the language being spoken, but understand the meaning.

Two becoming one, my child no more, a new life together begins.

My memoir prompt this week comes from Assistant Editor Galit.

This week I want you to conjure something. An object, a person, a feeling, a color, a season- whatever you like. But don’t tell me what it is, conjure it

         
                                         

This is what I was conjuring.