Archive for GENERAL

{ January 28, 2008 @ 12:53 pm } · { ART, GENERAL, Home, MON. MOMENT }
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Angela from over yonder at “The Lurchers” is our hostess with the mostest this week. She asks:

“…continuing in the spirit of “being interested in people”, I would like to know, or see, what’s on, in or under your bedside table! So open those draws and bare your soul to us! Is there anything special there that has a story or a memory that you can tell us about? Books that you keep there to delve into from time to time? Trinkets that you don’t know where else to put? Let’s see!“


My bedside nightstand has nothing but books and a red ruby-glass vase. And no drawers. Under it is my large stuffed tiger [tigers are my favorite 'wild' animal]


I moved the books around to show the titles of the three I’m currently reading….
[yep, I read more than one book - skipping days from one to the other]
Sweeney Todd
Rhett’s People
Poe and Fanny [Edgar Alan Poe and wife]

Tigger will hosting next Monday!

~…end Fun Monday

I finally bought something that I’ve wanted for decades. And I never did, because with what I wanted it for, when I have ‘em packed away, it was more or less “out of sight out of mind”.

Can you guess what it was? Here’s a hint:

You see, I love to draw! I haven’t drawn much lately, ’cause I had nothing to store my drawings in except within the covers of my sketch pads. And recently, while we’ve been cleaning closets and drawers and shelves out for Spring cleaning –some of my sketches dropped loose all over the place. That did it!! And this past week, while near an art supply store, I toted my clipped 40% off coupon and went back to the art framing department and checked out all the artists’ portfolios. I needed something to keep my sketches in without them getting ruined even further…

So, by the top photo here you can see now that it’s a black leather artist portfolio. Even with the 40% off, they’re still costly when you want something of quality. When I was young and had little kids at home, I used to draw a lot while they were napping so not to disturb them with any household noises…..and back then, $50 dollars to spend frivolously on something non-important, was just that -frivolous!! Food on the table and school clothes were on top of my list at that time. I considered myself lucky to have a sketch pad to keep me occupied…..a portfolio to hold my art work in was just on the wish list!!!

Finally!!! Something with which I can now protect my drawings.

I know the photo is small, but left to right —bottom row:
An Impala
A Canadian Goose
A Raccoon
My daughter, Irene
Chief Red Cloud
A Mountain Man

Middle row, left to right:
Movie: The Dark Crystal characters [Kira & Jen] -this is a Jim Henson movie
Under them [hardly visible] is E. T.
A Florida Panther [puma]

Top row, left to right:
Siamese Cat
Bald Eagle
Frog

I have many many more sketches, but these were the ones that fell loose while cleaning the shelves. Some day I’ll scan some more of them and share with you. I have several framed and hangin’ on my living room wall right now also… Here and Here and Here.

{ January 27, 2008 @ 3:07 pm } · { AWARD, GENERAL, Home, HUMOR, MEME, SUN. SNIPPET }
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175 WORDS CHALLENGE
[and character counter too!]

I’m the fifth of five children born to my parents. Yes, I’m the youngest one of the bunch – going on 59. My birthday is February 9th. I am an Aquarius born. But, I must add that being the youngest of five, I was unmercifully teased about being “the baby of the family!”

That’s until I stayed awake one night when quite young, and transpired a gripping foolproof come-back to their picking on me.

My come-back finally had a chance to shut them up once and for all.

Hounding me one time about being just a ‘baby’ and not knowing what life was all about, I simply said: “Mom and Dad kept having kids ’til they finally go it right, and here I am!” That immediately shut their mouths tight and I never had to contend with their attitude that I knew nothing; ever again. Even to this day they’re closed mouthed about me being the youngest!!

Take that…you ‘ancient’ scoundrels. That’s called a ‘gotcha’ my fellow siblings! Three cheers for me & my clever ways of quick thinking.

WORD TOTAL: 175
CHARACTER TOTAL: 958

- – -

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?
YOU CAN DO IT!
here are the:

DIRECTIONS FOR THE CHALLENGE:

Firstly, click on either link provided below.
While there at the site, type your life’s event in the box provided.
Total your words.
Your entry MUST meet the challenge of 175 words!!
NO LESS!!!!
Must be 175 words at least!! If it’s not, it doesn’t qualify.
Then, copy and paste your life’s event to your blog and place your total of words – the exact count into your blog entry also.
That’s it!

If you want to invite others to the challenge from your blog -provide the PERMAlink to this blog entry here. The permalink to this blog entry only is: HERE …click, then copy the url from your address bar and paste as a link to these directions.
(or click on the time “4:07AM” found below, either way it’ll get you the same url results)

LINK TO WORD COUNTER: HERE

~or, if the above is down – click link HERE

I’d like to know you’ve done the meme challenge for fun. If you do, please come back and tell me in the comments section!! I’ll come by for a visit.
[and you're more than welcome to use the header I made - just click on it and then save]

Remember the commercials back when with the Tootsie Roll Pops? And the question was: “How many swipes of your tongue [licks] it was before you get to the tootsie roll center?” Okay….I got proof! You see, when I went to get some groceries after we went to Whataburger for lunch the other day, I walked past the seasonal stuff. Valentine’s Day stuff now crowds the shelves. And I spied something. Cherry Tootsie Roll Pops!! A whole bag of my favorite flavor. Naturally they came home with me. Besides, I wanted to conduct an experiment.

And to answer the age old question. FOUR Exactly FOUR!! licks. Theoretically, a very guarded scrutinized lab research. Then, I bit!!! Now, I’m headed back to the lab kitchen for that all important 2nd opinion!!!! I’m gonna have another, just to be sure. [and fyi -these are regular sized pops...not the miniature ones you find sometimes....who wants the mini's when you can have the BIG ones? I told you I'm Texan, and we Texans LIKE things big.] ◄ get your mind outta da gutter!

And, for my Sunday’s Snippet, I bring you a triple play with Maxine™ – her thoughts on the Winter Season:



This past week, I have received two awards for my blog!

Mary presented me with this one. Thanks, Mary. You’re tops!!!

Greatfullivin presented me with this. I’m very appreciative. Thank you so much!!!

{ January 24, 2008 @ 11:44 am } · { GENERAL, Thursday }
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[image header designed by me for my blog]

I‘M A RULE BREAKER. AND I CHALLENGED MYSELF WITH THE FORM FOR THIS WEEK, and construed it to fit my Thursday 13, only because I thought of a fashion rule that totally “bloggles” my mind, even today…..

1. Which rule did you choose to break?
I continue to think the Southern [it's origin from what I gather] fashion ‘law’ of NOT wearing white after Labor Day [September] through the months until Easter [March or April] is a fashion rule that makes no sense!!! Never have…never will!!

2. Explain the events that led up to your breaking this rule.
Simple…I like white! Pure, unbleached white. It’s crisp, it’s comfortable, it goes with ANYthing in the department of fashion!! Why not? I mean, just why can’t the whole society [women in particular] wear white after September when men can wear white shirts year ’round and girls/women getting married in the ‘dead of winter’ are able to wear white? White shoes even!!! It seems like a double standard to me!

3. Why do you think it is important to follow this rule?
It’s Not a rule I would adhere to!!! Wear white I say. Any time of year; what’s good for you and you’re comfortable with your choice, wear it. This fashion statement went out of ‘style’ with our parents!!!

4. What do you think the consequence should be for breaking this rule?
None whatsoever!! Well, perhaps a snicker or a pointed finger if I choose to wear white jeans in December…but I say…who cares? And I wonder about the ‘white’ rule of fashion and also ask: “Why then, do manufacturers of clothing make WHITE sweat suits? I don’t wear sweat suits, any color for that matter, in the ‘correct’ months to wear white.

5. How do you plan to regain trust?
There is no trust here…it’s fashion. There just are some ‘rules’ of life that we need to break and this is one!!! Trust me!!!

6. What other alternatives did you have besides breaking this rule?
Wearing dark colors all the time between Autumn and Spring? No way. I stand by my conviction. Some have told me that off white [a cream colored white] is okay in Autumn and Winter, but I say. Pshaw!!!! Pure white is beautiful!!! And I’ll wear a white sweater instead of a cream colored one any time.

7. Write an apology to the person who was affected by your behavior.
My apology would be sent to my grandmother. If I wore white in her day, it would be considered sinful! An outrage. A big huge fashion faux pas!! But along with that apology I would also explain to her that I am an INDIVIDUAL and I wear what I choose. I wouldn’t consider asking any of my family to wear a parka in 100° temperatures just ’cause it’s mid-December and we’re living in warm or hot climes!! It’s a personal choice these day grandma…I’m sorry to break your rule!!! But, I’m me.

—

8. Also, I grew up with the fact that men should remove their hats before entering a room/building.
I don’t see ‘em doing that anymore…does this offend me? No…again, it’s personal choice. Hey, the saying goes “What’s good for the goose [women are allowed to wear their hats indoors] is good for the gander!” [why should the men not be allowed the same privilege]. We’re living in a world now [the 'civilized' world anyway] where there is a stress on equal rights, right? Men? You just go on wearing what you’re wearing…hats indoors and all.

9. Sandals in winter?
Unheard of back in my youth. But now, it’s considered okay by me…I’d much prefer sandals/or/open toed shoes when the temps are in the 80′s or above in winter where I’m living. Wearing boots just ’cause it’s winter is not okay in my book!! What’s comfortable, is the thing to do.

10. When combining two blacks together they must be EXACT in shade/hue!?!
No, I don’t think so…there is a simple ‘fix’ to make the outfit look good. If you have a pair of black slacks/jeans and the top is of a DARKER shade of black [or visa versa] add some neutral colors to your outfit like a muted gray scarf and/or a gray belt…it works wonders and the outfit is complete. Same with navy blues…they are not always the same shade of navy. Adding another color to the outfit will ‘take away from the two different tones.

11. Follow fashion trends?!!
Like the days of stretch pants and long loose hanging tops—they’re out you know: But, I say, if they’re comfortable for you, who cares! It’s what is right for you. Don’t follow the magazines and fashion ‘experts’…it’s only a ploy to get you to buy, buy, buy!!!

12. Don’t wear white socks with dark clothes!
I say to this, why not? Actually, some may not know this, but white on your feet is much healthier than colors. It’s the dye in the fabric. And if your feet ‘sweat’…the dye soaks into your skin. It may not ‘look’ correct, but if you’re into the ‘health’ of your feet instead of ‘style’…white is fine by me!!

13. My rule?
If you’re comfortable, if it fits properly, if it makes a statement of ‘completely YOU’…wear it!! Heck, you might be making a fashion statement that others will envy and follow ‘suit’!!

{ January 22, 2008 @ 3:23 pm } · { GENERAL, Home, TUESDAY }
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&

~HEAD OR TAILS~
Today, it’s all about the senses —

- – -
~The Winter Season~
In WINTER I hear…

The crackle of dead leaves beneath my feet as I walk.
The distant sound of birds singing.
The faint sound of traffic on the freeway.
The TV and football games.
The splash of the cold ocean waters hitting against the jetty.
The wind rustling through the hibernating trees.

- – -
~The Spring Season~
In SPRING I see…

New grass peeking out of the browned winter kill.
Flowers opening to beautiful blossoms.
Trees budding and blooming.
The Easter Bunny.
New fashions in department store windows.
Hatchlings searching for their mommas.

- – -
~The Summer Season~
In SUMMER I touch…

The velvet petals of a rose.
The handle of the lawn mower.
The rich soil as I plant seedlings.
The warm gulf water beneath my toes.
The soft, shifting sands on the shore.
The warm sun against by being.

- – -
~The Autumn Season~
In AUTUMN I smell…

Pumpkin Pie spice.
Turkey roasting.
Leaves decomposing.
Fireplace exhaust from the warming fires.
Pine needles on the forest floor.

and
I taste…

Crisp, right-from-the-tree fresh apples.
Homemade dressing.
Home baked pumpkin pie.
Turkey –for weeks.
Warm, fresh bread
Cider
Hot chocolate

~TEN ON TUESDAY~

This week: 10 Things That Were Better “Way Back When”

Now this took a lotta thought. I love things just the way they are, but I also like to reminisce of the bygone days and too, I have caught myself wishing things were better in days ahead. So, I sat down and pondered this for a goodly time….wow, most challenging! I’m gonna go back….way back to my early twenties and my teenaged school years!!! Back to the late 50′s even——

1] Back when my kids were home…I would love to go back in time and still have my children small. Those were the good times…better for me, on the selfish side.

2] Back when my parents were alive…I could have another chance to say “I love you” to my folks…back then!! You know; when you’re so wrapped up in yourself sometimes, the present [which would be years past for me, and your loved ones were actually THERE with you, you just didn't take the time to say things that you wish you could now? When it's too late.]

3] Back when there was a challenge & purpose…life was a struggle. Ya, you read that right. There were times ‘back when’ that days were complete challenges and I learned from them. The ‘good ol’ days’…now, I’m spoiled and I admit, too settled with the easy life.

4] Back when travel was simple….traveling by plane [our preference] wasn’t too big a hassle! Come on —go with me on this…taking your shoes off in an airport? Never heard of such a thing back when. And needing a passport to cross the borders for just a day or two? Nope, that’s not for me. Travel, back when —much simpler and less stressful.

5] Back when I burned energy…I remember the days ‘back when’ I could eat anything and any amount and it wouldn’t put weight on me. Hmmmmmmm, what happened? Guess I need to go out a play some hop scotch after lunch, and go bike riding ’til sunset!!!

6] Back when…I fell and scuffed my knee….mom would heal all wounds!! Just a kiss on the cheek to dry my tears from the pain of it all. Back when it was a blessing to have a mom home 24/7!!! I pity the days today and the latch key kids!

7] Back when…the neighborhood kids actually got along and played in the streets without fear of ‘predators’ and drive by shootings and kidnapping and…well, you name it. Society has changed our kids…the society and the newfound joy of computers/video games is to blame for our over-weight youngsters.

8] Back when…there was no ‘rating’ for movies released. Now you have to have a PhD to figure out if what is shown to anyone is good for us. Movies were much more entertaining…back when!!! [Tho I must admit that today the 'action' IS better from back when, but the concept of ratings for progaming and movie-going for families of toddlers and pre-teens---wow!]

9] Back when…a long time ago, kids were challenged with physical participation in some classes…now it’s more or less a computer class. Sure they still learn, and probably learn a great deal more than in my day in a shorter time period. But there is no ‘remembering’ of a special hands on segment of Math skills, or perhaps a Biology class where we actually went ‘spelunking’….oh I still remember that, and oh how much I learned about rock formations and bat habitats…there’s nothing like it much today. And I can remember it all as it were yesterday…the cold cave, the dampness, the stench, the continual ‘drip drip dripping’ of the water seeping through the earth…all so much better than just taking a biology class and watching VIDEOS of such an experience!!!

10] Back when…in the 50′s there were A&W Root Beer Stands, bebop hang outs with the ‘cool kids’, Cinnamon flavored toothpicks, Soda Stands found inside a Walgreens, 45rpms, after school dances, bonfires, boys that respected a girl for what she was instead of wanting to use their “Trojans” if you know what I mean, innocent slumber parties, chocolate milk shakes and fries, 1st loves, 1st kisses, —all of these from my “Back When” are better than what it is today!!!

{ January 17, 2008 @ 11:08 am } · { GENERAL, Home, RECIPE, Thursday }
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Thursday 13 header made by me for my blog.

According to my labels list this is #42 edition

- – -

Have you ever wondered what some editing notations mean – Abbreviations and/or symbols? Some, or all, you may know already.

Here are some examples:

1- “sic” [usually found in quoting some writing/type]
it means: Sic is a Latin word, originally sicut meaning “thus”, “so”, or “just as that”. In writing, it is placed within square brackets and usually italicized—[sic]—to indicate that an incorrect or unusual spelling, phrase, punctuation, and/or other preceding quoted material has been reproduced verbatim from the quoted original and is not a transcription error.

2- “i.e.“
it means: “that is”. The abbreviation “i.e.” comes from the Latin words “id est”

3- “e.g“
it means: “for example”. It’s short for Latin “exempli gratia”, which means “example provided”.

4- “etc.“
it means: Latin for Et Cetera -so on and so forth

5- “HBO“
it means: A acronym for Home Box Office [cable television]

6- “zip” code
it means: Zone Improvement Plan [United States Postal Service]

7- * *==
it means: an emoticon representing the American Flag

8- “P. M.“
it means: Latin for Post Meridiem -or- After Midday [behind hour/minutes]

9- “A. M.“
it means: Latin for Ante Meridiem -or- Before Midday [behind hour/minutes]

10- ““
it means: In editing, to indent for a new paragraph. [technically called 'pilcrow sign']

11- “I ♥ NY“
it means: I LOVE New York [or anything behind the 'heart' means the same---"I love....."]

12- ” lb.“
it means: Latin for Libra [being a unit of measure -a pound-]

13- “p. s.“
it means: Medieval Latin postscriptum [to write later]

THIS IS A FAMILY FAVORITE–Begin Preparing EARLY in the morning—

I love lasagna! I love the shortened version I’ve come up with where I don’t have to cook the noodles, nor purchase those nasty tasting noodles that are called “pre cooked” noodles! And every time, my version comes out even better than Italian restaurants. But of course, my taste preference is different. I don’t care for ricotta nor do I like to use cottage cheese for a substitute. And I like it with a very light taste of Italian Seasoning…restaurant-style is too heavy on the herbs for my taste.

So I devised a simple, quick, recipe that is so tasty, even our son, who’s a picky eater, asked me once how I make mine.

Absolutely no pre cooking involved.

I take a box of the regular lasagna noodles
and two cans of diced tomatoes [no salt added]
a can of tomato paste
1 lb. bag of shredded sharp cheddar cheese [I only use about half the bag]
1 lb. bag of shredded mozzarella cheese [whole bag]
1/3 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
1 – 2 Tblsps. Italian Seasoning
1 Tblsp. ground garlic [or two cloves of fresh, minced]

In a blender, I blend the two cans of diced tomatoes and the can of tomato paste along with adding the garlic, the Parmesan cheese, and the Italian Seasoning. I use the ‘chop’ button, to keep the tomatoes coarsely chopped.

In a 9×13 glass pan, I pour enough tomato mix on the bottom of the pan to thinly cover the glass bottom. Layer it with the lasagna noodles and then a combination of the cheeses [use about 1/3 of the amount from above] lightly covering the noodles. I then add more tomato mix and cheese and noodles…continuing to layer the ingredients until I have four layers stopping with the sauce and cheese. Again, NO COOKING.

Cover it with tin foil and refrigerate for about 10 hours. [The noodles will soak up the tomato liquids and serve firm, but not pastey!] When you want to heat and serve, just cook it in a moderately hot oven, covered, until bubbly and hot. Remove the foil, and continue to bake until cheese is lightly browned.

Remove from oven, let set for about 10-15 minutes. Slice, serve.

* *

I always make a cucumber-frozen pea, onion and pimento salad, in a light Italian oil and vinegar dressing, served on a bed of chopped Romaine lettuce for a side dish. And hot garlic toast. The cucumber salad is just sliced cucumbers, onions, pimentos, frozen peas and tossed with a vinegar/oil dressing with dried parsley.

It’s a great compliment to the lasagna dish.
Served well chilled and marinated for a couple of hours.

{ January 16, 2008 @ 11:42 am } · { CATS, GENERAL, Home, W W. }
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~Wordless Wednesday

~…end Wordless

For the last week or so, the two of us have been busy cleaning the house. Gutting out closets and preparing a Good Will box of things we haven’t used for the last year or so. It never ceases to amaze me with the amount of items we’ve accomplished to ‘collect’ then…eventually cease to use them. Or wear them. I got rid of several clothing items from my closet…mainly jeans and blouses and a few sweaters. Then, my shoe collection. :::ahem::: *choking* Ya, I love shoes. [That in itself is hilarious, because I'd much prefer being barefooted. I remember my not then hubby's grandmother always complaining that I was without shoes...she said: "The girl is gonna get married with barefeet".] Well, if I coulda, I woulda!! So, I got sidetracked a bit. Excuse me. Thing is, I tossed at least a dozen pair of shoes. And one pair of boots. I still can’t walk in the walk-in closet very well….I have ‘em on two shelves above the clothes racks, and on the floor below the clothes. I best be more lenient with my decision and get rid of MORE!! Oh and this will make you laugh for sure…while walking around in the mall the other day, I found a cute pair of spring-like heeled sandals…beige with black…Yep, I got ‘em!!

Okay, so I’m still working on tackling one closet. Ya, it’s cleaned out, but I left out all the photo albums that we’ve accumulated over the years on purpose. I want to get them all back into some kind of order. I was debating whether to scan them and then put all the photos on a disk……all of them! But thought the better of that chore. What was I thinking? Maybe a few here and there, of my favorites, but not ALL the albums. I’ll just stick to my original idea and get them into some kind of order, by year. You can see just what Elmo thinks of the whole concept?!!! His eyes are ‘bugged out with fear ‘ – fear that he’ll have to help!!

But it’ll be a task that goes way beyond my spring cleaning time. Oh and by the way….anyone want some shoes?

{ January 13, 2008 @ 3:38 pm } · { GENERAL, SUN. SNIPPET }
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The fun part of my Sunday Snippet First…
I saw this on ABC News the other night and had to do a Google Search to share it…

It’s a hoot, I think! I love the one that has his/her arms stretched to capture all the heat.

Lemurs by a Space heater!

I ask: “Are these people CRAZY?“

I just remain speechless on this. I realize that the storm of history came down upon them, and they lost everything…but to sue at such an outrageous sum to put the country of ours in ruin is just outlandish. ::shaking head in disgust:: Lawsuits are the ‘way of life’ it seems these days. I get so frustrated hearing/reading this kinda thing. Even if it IS just to get a point across to the nation! Lives are not something you can put a price tag on!!! [For the whole segment 'click on crazy above']

Well ya-a-ah!! Have these people SEEN the gasoline prices soaring? I mean, really, who has money left over for luxuries such as gift giving when you have to buy groceries, pay the ‘living expenses’, and buy for the car to get you to and from the grocery stores?

…read on–

Retailers Had Weak Sales in December
Thursday January 10, 8:41 am ET
By Anne D’Innocenzio, AP Business Writer
Retailers Report Weak Results for December As Gas Prices, Slumping Housing Market Take Toll

NEW YORK (AP) — An already weak holiday shopping season turned out to be even worse than expected for many of the nation’s retailers, who reported Thursday they had disappointing sales results for December. The poor performance raised more concerns about consumer spending, and in turn, the health of the economy.

The weak results came from across all retail categories, and prompted many stores to lower their fourth-quarter earnings forecasts. Particularly hard hit were apparel sellers including Limited Brands Inc. and AnnTaylor Stores Corp., as well as department stores including Macy’s Inc……… To continue, use this as a link–

{ January 10, 2008 @ 3:48 pm } · { GENERAL }
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My Thursday 13 ‘Horoscope Share for January 10th’ is below.
I found this and decided to join since I blog most every day since I began the whole concept. It’s now proudly perched on my sidebar!! And…I would like to pass info to y’all who consider yourself a ‘holic like me!! Just click on the Badge and pick it up. You’re in!!! It’s like confession. Dear Carolyn chose me as a blogaholic! I think she’s right!!!! In fact, I KNOW she’s right.

* *
Hi, I’m Anni….

and, I’m a Blogaholic!!


LivinWithMe.com's Blogaholics Anonymous Award!

* *
Are you a ‘holic?
Join the Membership

- – -

I took a quiz. My results:

82 points is in the 81 through 100 precent
You’re definitely a blogaholic.
Take the quiz

And in regards to the “National DeLurking Week” for January 7-13. I would MUCH rather have lurkers who DON’T leave a comment than have visitors that would disagree to my blog and leave spam and/or derogatory remarks. So, in all essence, lurking is good at times. I do it….and if the certain blog entry is not one I can leave a pleasant comment, I exit. The old saying goes well with my attitude on this “If you can’t say anything NICE, don’t say anything AT ALL“. If I were to leave something like: “Have a pleasant day” to one blog entry I’d normally “flag” as offensive, I’d feel as though I’m lying.

I have my site meter as a hidden value on my blog, and I can get who visited and how long they stayed. And I know I have plenty of ‘non-commentors’ and that suits me well, ’cause I am sure it’s all for the best of interests.

{ January 6, 2008 @ 11:47 am } · { GENERAL, Home, SUN. SNIPPET }
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….okay, so hubby and I were just sitting around takin’ a break from some yard work Friday. And you know how you start a conversation, talking about ‘the good ol’ days’? Well, for some reason we were chatting away about what our folks used to watch on television back in our youth. You know, one of those innovative contraptions that was made of wood – a huge wooden box with a minuscule ‘screen’ that was magically transformed into a picture show. With sound!! LOL The days when life was in color but our entertainment was in black and white?

Well, hubby’s teenage years were a lot sooner than mine in terms of television. Like Guy Lombardo and Mitch Miller’s Sing Along “I’ll see you in my dreams” and follow the bouncing ball thingie? [guess we're both of the same generation after all!] But, when it was my turn to finally speak about what my folks used to watch, I was in my mid-teens. In the 60′s. And my father loved his westerns on television. Gunsmoke was his all time favorite. Oh lordy….I can still hear the nightmarish voice of that pip-squeak of a man named “Festus” played by Ken Curtis! “Mr. Dillon!?!!” Oh my!!! I must confess that I began to notice men back then…and that Dennis Weaver wasn’t a bad lookin’ fella!!

Ponderosa was another of my father’s ‘must watches’. In a passing glimpse as I was headed out the door with my friends, I’d stop and watch “The Lawman” a short time. Ya baby. Y’know? I always did go for the older men! While all the teen-aged girlfriends of mine were swooning over the ‘hunky’ Peter Brown, I was drooling and daydreamin’ over John Russell. Mmmmmm-m-m-m-m, so suave!


[John Russell to the left - Peter Brown on the right]

Somehow, in the mixture of our reminiscing and back and forth conversation, we both remembered a western that both our fathers watched faithfully. And that was a show called “Laredo“. We’ve had this conversation many-a-times in our 40 years together, but it’s always fun to talk of the innocent times of our lives. We remembered the same episodes that were our favorites!! And those episodes were very comical. A western with humor. And there was one particular character that we always bring up in our talks….Linda Little Trees. She was a hoot!!! Very funny, very funny indeed. [picture me laughing as I type]

I know the first time we recalled this program together, there was no access to the internet. And it took us days to even remember her character’s name!! But when we did finally come up with the name it was never forgotten from then on….

Linda Little Trees.

And this television era was way before the so called “political correctness” too. You see, Linda Little Trees was Native American [called indians back then]. And, the program directors and managers never used the true group. It was always either Mexican or very dark, black haired people to play the parts. Okay, so now I got that out of my system, I’ll continue:

Well, when we were done with our work I immediately went out on the ‘net to look up Linda Little Trees. And Laredo. And oh my goodness, I was struck, dumbfounded, at what I read!! You see, Linda Little Trees was played by Shelly Morrison. So I looked up Ms. Morrison on Google, and the photo looked soooooo familiar!! Lo and behold she is the woman that played the maid, Rosario, on Will and Grace. I could not believe my eyes!!

Just think of it….from the 1960′s Laredo to the late 1990′s Will and Grace. That’s a lot of years to be active in television roles.

Here she is today—

…and with some deep, long research I finally came up with a few photos of the episodes of Laredo with our favorite “Linda Little Trees” —


In a way, I still can’t believe my eyes and that I’m actually reading that this is one in the same actress! But, I say, ‘more power to you Shelly’!!! And now, come to think of it all I learned in the last few days….she’s funny in both. Also, television may have come a long way with entertaining us, but for the two of us, we’d much prefer movies and sports on TV anymore. What saturated the tube when we were kids, westerns; today the mundane saturation is now reality shows and dumb programming! Give me a good baseball game or football. Or if there’s nothing like that in ‘season’….give me Turner Classic Movies!!!

My “feel good” Sunday Snippet. News around town. This one is just a few miles from where I live, near…Rockport Texas area.

- – -


She’s only four, but a pint-sized angler is well on her way to becoming a pro. Pheobe [surname withheld by me] is the daughter of a Houston CBS station news photographer. She reeled in the big one during a family trip to Rockport, Texas. Catching a big fish was not the real story. It’s the fact that Pheobe was using her Barbie fishing rod! Her tiny Barbie fishing rod snagged a 50-pound Black Drum. Phoebe screamed at such a big catch, so dad came to the rescue. Dad took the line, reeled for half an hour and finally got the monster out of the water. After celebrating the big catch, the daughter and dad duo threw the fish back in the water.

- – -

Added note by me: Her bait used? A red plastic toy worm!!!

[story & photos courtesy of local news station]

{ January 2, 2008 @ 11:30 am } · { GENERAL, Home, HUMOR, W W. }
{ Leave a Comment }

~WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

~end Wordless….

Our New Year’s Day was a very relaxing one for sure. Just the kind of days I’m beginning to enjoy any more! Most of the day was spent in front of the TV, watching a marathon of Monk on USA. It’s okay, nothing exciting, but we both wanted a quiet day…lounging in front of the TV seemed like a good idea at the time. But, I soon got bored. And I have vowed now, for about a couple of months, to not sit at the computer very long. Sometimes, I would spend HOURS sitting. Well, not any more. Like I said I got bored, so I started cooking. And first things first, dessert. I made us a small dish of cherry crisp. The recipe is easy…CANNED pie filling. LOL and then I just mixed up a small amount of oatmeal, brown sugar, cinnamon, flour and butter. Patted it in a pie dish and popped in into the oven ’til all hot and bubbly. We reheated it for dinner and topped it with soft serve ice cream.

While that was baking, we both snacked on summer sausage cold cuts and extra sharp cheddar cheese slices in crackers and I drank a diet root beer [no sugar, no calories, and most of all NO caffeine!] while hubby had a Miller’s Chill.

After snacking, and the cherry crisp was done, I started making some Spanish Rice for our evening’s side dish. We had Mexican food and a tossed salad. With cilantro salsa and warmed corn tortilla chips. Nope, no traditional black-eyed peas for us this year. Guess you can say we broke tradition this year. Maybe that’ll be an omen for a non-traditional year ahead.

It started off very cloudy, windy and chilly New Year’s Day…but it soon turned out very clear and sunny. A most gorgeous day…being that there was no cloud cover to protect us…it got mighty cold at night and it’s predicted to get around 28 degrees for a low tonight!!! But it IS winter, and there is NO snow, so I’m happy without the white stuff!! I’m too old to enjoy that………

….did someone say older?

There were two old fellows who were chatting. Suddenly one of them asked, “What in the world is that sticking out of your right ear?” The other, with a puzzled look, said, “I don’t know”, and reached up pulling out the object, then exclaimed, “My word, a suppository!” Then he slapped his forehead and excitedly declared, “Now I know what I did with my hearing aid.”

—

A preacher visits an elderly woman for his congregation. As he sits on the couch he notices a large bowl of peanuts on the coffee table. “Mind if I have a few” he asks. “Not at all” the woman replied. They chat for an hour and as the preacher stands to leave, he realizes that instead of eating just a few peanuts, he emptied most of the bowl. “I’m totally sorry for eating all your peanuts, I really meant to eat few.” “Oh that’s all right” the woman says. “Ever since I lost my teeth, all I can do is suck the chocolate off them.”

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