Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why? Here in Missouri, there is NOT a single summer month, that is best.  I hate summer.  I hole up in the house with the AC, and only venture out to walk the dogs....early! Spring and Fall are the best months. I do miss living on the coast during the summer.

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own? I took swimming lessons at the community pool in our town when I was in second grade.  I took lessons at the YMCA when I was a little older, and in my freshman year of Junior College, where you had to take a semester of gym, (1966) I did a semester of swimming.  I loved the pool.  I have a pair of sunglasses that fit over my regular glasses.....very stylish!

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others? Procrastination is the worst....While I am in my house in the summer, I put off everything.  Cleaning my house.... I just hurried around yesterday to pick up the house, before the delivery of all Paul's medical supplies. 
Paying bills, when I was cleaning the flat surface that is my dining room table, I found a bill that I thought I had lost, so I had to go last week to the city office in a rush to find out what I owed and pay it.  It is the only bill I have to actually write a check for, as our town is so outdated, that I can't pay it over the phone or by computer.
Now, I tend to judge pessimism, disloyalty and greediness harshly in others.

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you? I always wished, I had a chance to live and work for a while, in another country.  At my age, I might still be able to travel to other countries but, I don't think I want to live anywhere else but here. 

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 
Popsicles-Nay, because, sensitive teeth and brain freeze.

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?
I understand it like a 5 or  and I believe it will impact the global economy and spread, I am not sure it will impact me directly....but I believe, and if Trump thinks it's good....it can't be! Will there be other exits? Could be.

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list.




8. Insert your own random thought here. 

The Missouri Legislature Republicans have enough votes to override the Governor's veto of a new law. The measure, which would allow people to carry concealed weapons without permits, that are needed under current law. 

In a late Sunday interview with The Associated Press, Nixon cited concerns with a provision that would allow most people to carry concealed guns even if they haven't gone through the training currently required to get a permit. He said it should be left up to sheriffs to deny concealed carry permits and that changing those laws would mean "dramatic steps backward for public safety."
 
So untrained gunslingers will be walking the streets of Hooterville and its environs, thinking they are a well regulated militia, 'protecting' us all.

Back in the Middle Again-Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Tell us about a time you found yourself 'in the middle of nowhere'. Was this deliberate?  When DD1 was about 4 years old, we had just moved to Cincinnati, so on Sundays we would go for a drive to get to know the area.  Sometimes we would go somewhere specific, and other times, we would get on a highway and drive, they have some beautiful barns in the country. One Sunday I said, "Oh, let's just get lost." and DD1 started crying, "I don't wannna get lost." We explained....and after that she would always want to know if we were lost, when we were out and about.  I always tried to choose my words better after that.

2. What's something you're 'in the middle of' today or this week? We are in the middle of our week with the grandsons and having a wonderful time.  They have grown so much and are little men.

3. At what age do you think 'middle age' begins? What does it mean to be 'middle aged'? I think middle age is your prime of life and begins sometime in your 40's and lasts a long time.

4. Ravioli, stuffed peppers, samosas, deviled eggs, steamed dumplings, pierogis, or a jelly donut...your favorite food (from this list!) with something yummy in the middle. Your favorite not on the list? They all sound yummy, I like cannoli. 

5. Albert Einstein is quoted as saying ''In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.' Would you agree? Have you found this to be true in your own life? Feel free to elaborate. I had a job in my younger mommy days that I didn't like. The bank was laying off and since I was 'last hired' I figured I would  be the first to be laid off and I could spend the summer with the girls and look for a new job.  They called me in and I was ready.... and they didn't fire me.  I had to scramble to find summer care....My Mom to the rescue!  About a week later I found an ad for a different job and was hired that day...I stayed 26 years with them loving most every day.

6. What's a song you remember loving from your middle school years? Do you love it still? Any of Chubby Checker's Twist music.  That was one dance I could do...no problem! They can still make me time travel! 

7. May 18th is National Visit Your Relatives Day. Will you celebrate? Which relative would you visit if time, distance, and expense were not considered. On that date I will still be in Santa Barbara with the boys, they would be my top choice any time.

Add caption

8. Insert your own random thought here. These pretty well sum up my grandparenting.

Sunday Stealing

Monsters in the Closet Meme

Do you usually sleep with your closet door open or closed? 
Closed, not because of monsters....Since I moved the bed around, it opens right up to the edge of the bed.  I made for more space in the room, with the exception of the closet door.

Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? 
Mr BC use to travel for business and he use to haul them home....I threw away a whole shoe box full of them and other things, shower caps, sewing kits etc., when we moved to MO.

Have you ever ‘done it’ in a hotel room? 
Years ago, when we were younger.

Where is your next vacation? 
We are leaving soon for Santa Barbara.

Have you ever stolen a street sign before?  
I answered this question not too long ago. NO.

Who do you think reads these? 
Other folks who answer Sunday Stealing, etc. I always read and comment on anyone who comments on my blog. On really large memes, I don't comment and read every entry, usually the three above me and the three below me. Sometimes, my family.

Do you have a calendar in your room? Actually it is in the bathroom.
Where are you? In the living room, watching TV and answering this.

What’s your plan for the day? 
We have been getting the RV ready to travel.  I was cleaning, washing and figuring where we were going to put Mr BCs dialysis stuff.  We have some vacation supplies delivered to my daughter's for the trip home.

Are you reading any books right now? 
I have started book four of Game of Thrones.

Do you ever count your steps when you walk? 
Not always, but I do count stair steps as I go up or down....Why do I do that?

Do you ever dance even if there’s no music playing? 
All the time. I make my own music in my head.

Have you ever peed in the woods? Probably
Do you chew your pens and pencils? No
What is your “Song of the Week”? What is that?
Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Sure
Do you still watch cartoons? No, I will watch animated movies.
Whats your favorite love movie? Dr Zivago, I just saw it.
What do you drink with dinner? Ice Tea
What do you dip Chicken Nuggets in? BBQ 
What is your favorite food/cuisine? Mexican, we will eat good in CA.
What movies could you watch over and over and still love?
Last person you hugged/kissed? Mr BC, soon my grandsons.
Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Yes
Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? No, I was a girl scout!

May Day Hodgepodge

  1. What's something fun you're looking forward to on your May calendar? Seeing the grandsons.  We are going to spend a couple of weeks in Santa Barbara.

2. What are some images that come to mind when you hear the word mother? 
Of course....my mother.  She is gone now and I often find myself thinking....I should tell Mom, and sadly, I can't.  She was a good mother and an excellent grandmother....missed by all.

3. What's something beautiful you own or have seen that's made of glass? 
The stained glass windows in the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, my picture is first and rather gloomy...a better picture below it from the internet.  I was able to get a picture of some of the paintings on the wall below the windows, they have found and are restoring. I wasn't sure I should photograph, as it was not allowed in the Abbey...so I didn't use flash. I love stained glass.

4. Was today typical? If not what made it unusual? Yesterday and today have been a little atypical...since we are trying to get Mr BC's appointment covered since we are leaving soon.  We had 3 different appointed tasks yesterday, and today...Tuesday....I had a man come out to fix my washing machine, our new lawn guy came today....as well as I had to go to the bank, the pharmacy and get my hair cut, which did not happen. We are a bit over scheduled, trying to get ready for our trip.

5. What is a quality you wish you could have more of? 
I have always wished to be better organized and not have everything to do at the last minute.

6. What's the next major purchase you need to make? Will it happen in the month of May? We need an aluminium covered car port to protect the cars that don't get to be in the garage.  So far we haven't had hail damage....but we are bound to get some one day. It won't happen this month.

7. What responsibility/job/work did you dislike while growing up but has proved helpful to you as an adult? 
I can't think of anything right off hand, but Ya'll will have something that I will claim...Oh yeah!.  I still haven't used algebra ever in my life.

*** I forgot about a typing class in high school. I didn't do all that well...I would never win speed contests, but learning the keyboard has been vital.  
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Saturday 9-Brilliant

Saturday 9: You're Beautiful (2005)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? 

 Hear it here

1) The first line is of this song is, "My life is brilliant." Using one word, describe your life.  "True." 

2)  This is about a chance encounter between strangers in a crowd, specifically the subway. What "crowded place" were you most recently in? On my trip to London last fall, recent. Victoria Station at 5 pm on a Friday night.  Just getting to the escalator going down, was a mob.  By the way, Phil Sayer, 62, whose voice was heard on most of the automated PA systems on railway stations across the UK, died on Thursday. Mind the Gap. 

3) Near the very end of this song, James Blunt sings, "It's time to face the truth." Do you believe you face things head on? Or do you tend to deny or put off the unpleasant? I tend to put off unpleasant things.

4) James Blunt went to an all-boys school. Some educators recommend single-sex classrooms because they maintain girls just naturally approach subjects like math and science differently than boys do. Do you agree? 
I don't think I would have liked going to an all girls school, but it is probably true.

5) Blunt put his father in charge of his finances. Income taxes are top of mind for many of us this time of year. Do you do your own taxes? Or do you go to an accountant or tax preparation service? I do it using Turbo Tax. Sending it off this weekend, we always owe.  *See Procastination.

6)  In 2005, the year this song was a hit, the sitcom How I Met Your Mother was also popular.  Do you know how your parents met? 
Yes, New Years Eve 1945, My Mom's cousin dated my Dad's cousin and they fixed the two of them up. It was love at first sight for them. They stayed out all night and married in June of 1946.

7) 2005 is also the year Tom Cruise famously jumped on a sofa. Do you remember where he did this?   On the Oprah Show.  I didn't see it when it happened, and really didn't care.

8) 2005 was also the year YouTube really took off. What's the last video you watched? Something on Facebook, I'm sure. Probably something Corgi related.

9) Random question ... Which of these high profile jobs would you enjoy more: head of General Motors, CEO of Apple or president of the New York Yankees?

CEO of Apple, because it would mean that I am very smart about computers and programming, I'd have the most amazing blog with all kinds of bells and whistles.

Friday Fragments

Mr BC has switched over to a dialysis cycler, from manual dialysis.  It has made our days available to us again, because he sleeps through the night while it works its magic instead of doing it several time in 4 hour chunks..  Yesterday, we ran errands and had lunch out, at Panera, for the first time. I liked it.  I had a Thai chicken salad.

Spring is here, there are still blossoms on the redbud but the forsythia is leafed out green. Did you know redbud blossoms grow directly out of the bark of the tree?  I didn't.  I still have some bulbs that will blossom, though most have come and gone.  I was worried about a dry spring, but there are more storms to come on the weekend and next week.

Gwennie is afraid of thunderstorms, and spends the duration in the shower,  She can get quite wet if the shower has been in recent use.  I got a good sized teak bathmat?? to keep her up off the floor of the shower and less damp.  She seems to think the shower is more secure, than under the bed where she is most of the time.

We are preparing the RV for our trip to CA.  Have an appointment for servicing on Friday.  When we had some work done last time....at a provider, not to be mentioned. We paid quite a lot and the electrical...when switched to DC....quit working, and that made it hard to refrigerate while driving.
The guy told Mr BC to try something, that might work, but we still have a drip from the air conditioner and the servicing to be done.

I think I mentioned before we are getting a park, not far from where we live.  The entrance will be right on old Route 66 and we right down the street about 3 blocks.

Caшa has gone to Belgrade with his Daddy on his yearly spring trip to the University of Belgrade.  Лука is now in school and this does not coincide with his daddy's trip, so now it is the little one's chance to travel with daddy to Serbia and visit with family.  He is having a good time with his daddy, family and their kids. We get pictures almost every day.  The both boys were there for Orthodox Christmas in Jan.  Лука is having a great time too....Mama took him to the USS Iowa in San Pedro, for a day's adventure. 

He is a Lefty.....good try!

That's What Friends are For-Saturday 9

Saturday 9: That's What Friends Are For (1985)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) This week's song is performed by an all-star quartet: Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. You have your choice: which of these four would you most like to see in concert? 
I would really like to see Elton John, he is such a crazy talent.

2) Dionne Warwick was Whitney Houston's cousin. Name a Whitney Houston song.  The Greatest Love of All.

3) Gladys Knight owns a chain of chicken and waffle restaurants around Atlanta. When you have waffles, what do you top them with? (Powdered sugar? Butter? Syrup? Fruit?)
When I eat Eggos, I spread PB and maple syrup.  Those are the only waffles I eat.

4) Elton John has turned his bad eyesight into a hobby, claiming that over the years he has purchased well over than 200,000 pairs of glasses. Do you wear glasses? If so, how many prescription pairs do you own? 
I currently have only one pair of prescriptions, they are blue frames. I really need to visit the eye doctor and get new glasses.

5) Stevie Wonder has a scar on his nose from a 1973 car crash. Have you ever been in a car accident? 
I was hit by a drunk driver when we lived in CA.  We were moving and were taking a load to our new house. On the way back, Mr BC was following me on the 10 freeway he had DD1 with him and I had DD2 with me, asleep in the back seat, it was late after 10pm.  The driver clipped me in the rear bumper and my car spun across all the lanes and I stopped facing oncoming traffic.  Since Mr BC was behind me he put on his flashers and slow the traffic so no one hit me.  It was very scary but we weren't hurt.  

6) Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager were married when they wrote this. Do you know a husband and wife who work together? 
My mom and dad worked together.  He was an attorney and she was his legal secretary.  It always surprised me that they worked together so well. 

7) This song celebrates friendship through good times and bad. Tell us about a happy time you recently shared with someone close to you. When my BFF from high school found me on Facebook, I called and had a 3 hour phone call just like we did in high school.

8) Now share a time when you were there for a friend through a tough time. Too many years, too many friends. I am a pretty good friend....though.

9) Random question: When is the last time you were out of breath?
When Mr BC was ill, one of his problems was shortness of breath even after the hospital stay. We had to jump thru hoops to get home oxygen from medicare. For a couple of weeks when he breathed hard, I was deep breathing right along with him.