Friday, January 31, 2025

Goodbye, January

Very pretty day today. Lots of sun, mild in the morning, and warmish in the afternoon. One of those intense-blue-sky days with not a cloud in sight. 

They said on the evening news tonight that this has been one of the coldest Januarys on record in this area, even though we haven’t had a lot of snow or ice. So it’s really nice to have the warm weather coming back for February – which they’re predicting will be one of the warmest Februarys on record in this area. Weird. 

View from my front porch, near Lake Travis, TX

I guess I say something like this at the end of every month, but it is REALLY hard to believe this is the last day of January. How has a whole month of 2025 gone by already? And whatever happened to those New Year’s cards I was going to send? (In place of the Christmas cards I never managed to get sent.)

Sunday is Groundhog Day, and the experts are predicting cloudy skies in Punxsutawney PA, so Phil probably won’t be seeing his shadow this year. Which would mean an early spring, right? (Yay!) But Bee Cave Bob, the weather-predicting armadillo here in central Texas, will probably see his shadow, since Sunday is supposed to be another beautiful sunny day around here. And that will mean six more weeks of winter. There’s a little competition going on among the meteorologists of the two regions, about which varmint will be the better predictor. I’m pulling for Phil. 


Happy Friday, everyone! Stay safe - and warm!
And keep watching those skies!

For more sky shots, click on the button above.


Friday, December 15, 2023

Still Watching the Skies

Haven't posted any sky shots on the blog in quite a while. Well, actually, it's been over a year since I posted anything here at joysweb. 2023 has been a hard year for me, and I might write something about that later on. But for now, some sky shots.

I'm a terrible weather wimp. And now that the evenings are getting colder, I don't go out late in the day unless there's a good reason to. But we've been having some really great sunsets this fall, and I've been trying to remember to go outside around that time and take a daily photo or two. These are a few recent pix....


..........


..........

That bright white dot near the top of the above photo is the moon. I kept trying to coax it out from behind the clouds, but finally got too cold and had to run back indoors! Told you I'm a weather wimp.

Don't these clouds look like they've been run over by a truck? Or maybe a celestial chariot! 

Happy Friday, everyone! Stay safe - and warm!
And keep watching those skies!

For more sky shots, click on the button above.


Sunday, July 24, 2022

Sunday Stealing and Hello Again


Haven't posted anything here at Joysweb in quite a while. But here we go again with a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes, of Funny the World) — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere. This week's list was borrowed from Hodgepodge.

1. What's something you've recently accomplished solo?

Hmmm. That's a hard one. Since we retired, the hubby and I do most things together. I like it that way. 

2.  What's one product you use that never ever fails?

Ibuprofen.

3. Have you found your place in the world? Where is it?

Well, I'm too old to go looking for another place, so I guess I have found my place. Unfortunately, it seems to be Texas. 

4.  Worst movie you ever saw?

Wow! In my long life of movie-watching I've seen some real stinkers, so it's hard to name just one. But one that's certainly in the running for worst movie ever made would have to be Wonderwall — the 1968 British psychedelic film mostly remembered for the soundtrack with music by George Harrison. On the Internet Movie Database I gave it a single star, just to get it into my list of movies I've watched/rated. Definitely meant to be watched when stoned. Good music, awful movie. I waited almost 50 years to see it. That wasn't long enough. 

5. What's the last fun thing you did? 

This summer has been so hot, we really haven't been out much. So, the only fun things we've done have been pretty tame — like streaming the new season of Only Murders in the Building on Hulu. 

6. What's your favorite Italian dish? 

Marcello Mastroianni. Sorry. Actually, any kind of spaghetti, although I love ALL pasta. 

7. Have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see?

I've been to Paris once, and always wanted to go back. I'd also love to see more of the country, especially the Côte d'Azur. 

8. Have you ever been to Disney, any of the parks at all? Are you a Disney superfan or something less than that? They're open right now so tell us, would you go if you had the time/money/a free trip?

Never been to any of the Disneys. Not a huge theme park fan, Disney or otherwise. I suppose if I was offered an all-expenses-paid trip, I might take it — but it's not really something I'd spend my own money on.

9. Your favorite place to go when you want to be quiet as a church mouse? Would those who know you well describe you as more church mouse or perhaps more like mighty mouse?

I wouldn't say I'm church-mouse-quiet, but I'm not really a blabber mouth, either. I can talk a lot when I've got something to say (just ask my husband!), but basically I'm pretty much an introvert. Don't really have what you'd call a "quiet" place, though. 

10. Do you bake your own bread? Last time you had hot out-of-the-oven homemade bread? What's your favorite kind of bread?

I used to bake my own bread once in a while, but haven't done it in many, many years. My fingers are so arthritic now, I'm afraid my kneading days are over. I've always planned to get one of those bread-making machines, but so far I haven't done anything about it. My favorite bread is French bread — soft and chewy on the inside, nice and crusty on the outside.

11. What's something you might say is 'the greatest thing since sliced bread'?

The microwave oven.

12.  Share with us five little things you're grateful for today. Small blessings. One catch-they all must start with the letter T.

Gotta pass on this one. I'm not religious, but I am superstitious, and the whole "gratitude" thing makes me very nervous. 

13. Tell us where you were and something about what life was like when you were 20-21.

Well, back in the Pleistocene, it was really cold and we mostly just hunted mammoths and tried to keep ahead of the expanding glaciers. 

14. What's on the menu at your house this week?

No idea. I don't usually plan that far ahead. And we haven't been doing much cooking lately — just eating a lot of salads and sandwiches, to keep from having to heat up the kitchen. 

15. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons?

I used to do a lot of coupon-ing. It got to be sort of a hobby. But now that everything is so computerized, all our discounts are digital. Definitely a time saver, but not as much fun. 

🙋‍♀️


Friday, January 21, 2022

A New Year of Sky Shots

Wow, January is almost over, y'all. How did that happen? I know the older you get, the faster time goes by, but this is ridiculous. Seems like just day before yesterday when we were pulling out all the Christmas decorations, and here it is almost February! Well, a lot has happened around here since the holidays (more on that later, maybe), but I've still managed to get a few sky shots. 

As usual at this time of year, some of the sunsets have been really interesting....



And recently I've actually been up early enough to snap a couple of sunrises, too!



Happy Friday, everyone! Stay safe - and warm!
And keep watching those skies!

For more sky shots, click on the button above.

Saturday, December 25, 2021

Friday, December 24, 2021

Blue Skies for Christmas

Here in central Texas we're having an unusually warm December, with record highs expected for the holiday weekend. I really hate winter, so that's definitely OK by me. It means my sky shots haven't been very dramatic lately, but I'd trade drama for blue skies any day! Yesterday was absolutely gorgeous....


So far, today has brought a little more cloud cover, but that should clear out by afternoon (so they tell me). And even this isn't bad, with the temperature outside already climbing into the 70s. It reminds me of all those hot, humid Christmases we had in San Antonio when I was growing up. Just the kind of winter I love!


Happy Friday, everyone! Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays!
And keep watching those skies!

For more sky shots, click on the button above.

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Saturday 9: Drivers License

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted each week by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

Drivers License (2021)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.


1. This song is about a girl who just got her drivers license. Who taught you to drive?

I took a Drivers Ed course in junior high, back in the Pleistocene age, so I could get my learner's permit. But back then I didn't really have access to a car that I could use very often, so never bothered to get a license. I didn't get my first driver's license until after I was married. My husband gave me a "refresher course" behind the wheel and taught me how to use a clutch. Don't remember the name of the teacher who taught the driving course. 

2. Do you like your drivers license/state ID photo?

Well, I don't really like it, but it's not terrible. It was taken almost ten years ago, though, when I was about 30 pounds heavier and had longer hair. So it really doesn't look much like I look now. When I get my license renewed next year, I suppose they might make me have a new photo taken. Texas is a little loose when it comes to that sort of thing. 

3. Think back to the first ticket you received. How old were you, and what was it for?

Fortunately (and knock wood), I've never gotten a ticket. I'm a pretty careful driver. 

4. In this week's song, Olivia Rodrigo is brokenhearted, driving through her boyfriend's neighborhood, certain that he has taken up with the sophisticated blonde girl. When it comes to romance, do you have a jealous streak?

Romance? Jealous streak? Hmmm. I don't think so, but I really don't remember. 

5. Olivia grew up in Temucula, California. Temecula is home to 40 wineries and dozens of tasting rooms. Have you ever attended a wine tasting?

No. I've been to a winery — there are quite a few here in the Texas hill country. But no wine tastings. Always thought it would be fun, though.

6. Her first on-screen appearance was in a commercial for Old Navy stores. Old Navy is owned by the same company as Banana Republic, Gap and Athletica. Have you done any of your holiday shopping at one of those stores? (Yes, their websites count.)

No. I don't do that much holiday shopping anymore, and it's mostly done online. But I haven't visited any of those stores (or their websites) for several years. 

7. She went on to star in projects for Disney studios. That's also how pop stars Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Miley Cyrus, and Christina Aguilera got started. Arguably the first teen star created by Disney studios was Annette Funicello. Do you remember her?

YES! She was my favorite Mouseketeer. Well, Annette along with Darlene Gillespie. I used to hurry home from elementary school so I could see the Mickey Mouse Club and watch the Merry Mouseketeers go through their paces every day. Every day? I think it was every day. Anyway, I loved Annette. She was so sweet and talented and obviously well-endowed under all that preteen costuming. I even loved her in those crazy bikini beach movies. So sad she's not with us now.

8. "Drivers License" was one of this year's most popular songs. One of this year's most popular books is John Grisham's The Judge's List. Do you expect to do much reading between now and the end of the year? If so, what's on your TBR (to be read) list?

Well, I've got several books going at the moment — Capote's Women, by Laurence Leamer; Death in a White Tie, one of Ngaio Marsh's classic Inspector Alleyn mysteries; and Bryant & May: London Bridge Is Falling Down, by Christopher Fowler, the latest entry in his Peculiar Crimes Unit series. I've also been reading Charlotte Brontë's Jane Eyre this year, and still have several chapters to go. I would love to finish just one or two of these books, but I'm not really going to have much time for reading during the next few weeks. 

9. Random Question: What is the longest line you ever stood in, and was it worth it?

Longest in terms of feet and inches? Or minutes and hours? In general, I try to avoid standing in lines of any kind. But I remember standing in line for several hours to get in to see the first "Star Wars" movie back in 1977. At the time, I thought it was worth it — I had a lot more time on my hands back then. If we're talking physical length (not time spent), then I guess I'd say the line we stood in to get our second shot of the covid vaccine was just about the longest I remember. And that line was definitely worth standing in. 
By the way — do you stand "in line" or stand "on line"? I think it's probably a regional thing, but I'm definitely an "in line" stander. 
 

 Happy Saturday, everyone!

For more Saturday 9 Q&A, just click on this button:



Thursday, December 9, 2021

Still Here - Still Watching the Skies

Well, obviously it hasn't been a great blogging year here at Joysweb. Haven't had a lot of time for the blog — only one post all year long! But I'm still around and still love taking sky shots. And we've had some pretty nice sunsets recently, so I thought this might be a good way to get me back into the blogging habit. Maybe just the nudge I need.




Happy Friday, everyone! And keep watching those skies!


For more sky shots, click on the button above.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Saturday 9: Waiting for Tonight

So.... It's been a while since I posted anything here at joysweb. I've been concentrating on my book blog lately. Well, actually, I've mostly just been trying to get through "cedar season" here in the Texas hill country. The allergies have been driving me crazy and the allergy meds keep me slightly comatose a lot of the time. 

But I'm awake now (hi, there!), and thought I'd make an appearance before the year gets much further along. And what better way to make a comeback than with some Saturday 9 questions?! So here we go....

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

Waiting for Tonight,
by Jennifer Lopez (1999)

1. In this song, Jennifer Lopez anticipates a night of unbridled passion with the love of her life. What are you waiting for tonight? (No pressure; it doesn't have to be as thrilling as hers.)

Hmmm. Can't say I'm really waiting for anything. Except the COVID vaccine, of course. And it looks like I'm likely to be waiting quite a while for that.  

2. She sings that she's glad she's beyond those nights that found her tossing and turning alone in her bed. Did you enjoy restful sleep last night?

I think I did. Felt pretty rested this morning. Don't remember having any problems getting to sleep or staying that way. That's not always the case — I've never been a really great sleeper. 

 3. Whatever Jennifer has planned for tonight, it won't include alcohol. She never drinks liquor. What's the last adult beverage you enjoyed? 

We usually have a little wine with dinner every night, so tonight's glass was my last "adult" beverage. It was a very tasty Shiraz.

4. Ms. Lopez performed "Waiting for Tonight" during last year's Super Bowl halftime show. Will you be watching The Big Game this weekend? 

Most likely. We watch it every year. The hubby isn't as much of a football fan as he used to be, but we do still watch a lot of football. It was more fun to watch back when the Cowboys were actually winning games.

 5. Speaking of this weekend, The Weeknd will headline the Super Bowl 2021 halftime show. Are you a fan of his?

I have absolutely no idea who or what The Weeknd (sp?) might be, but I'm willing to give said Weeknd the benefit of the doubt, for now.

6. Super Bowl Sunday is the #1 day for guacamole consumption in the US. When did you most recently eat something with avocado in it?

I had avocado toast for lunch today. We eat avocado just about everyday. It's a superfood. Appropriate, I guess, for the Super Bowl.

7. Chicken wings are a popular Super Bowl dish, too. When did you most recently eat chicken? How was it prepared?

Wow, I really can't remember the last time I had chicken. The hubby doesn't eat chicken. So if I had it, it would probably have been in a restaurant. And I haven't been in a restaurant since early March, last year.

8. This year, fast food chain Chipotle will run their first-ever Super Bowl ad. Do you pay closer attention to commercials during the Super Bowl?

Yes, probably. Some of the Super Bowl ads are pretty entertaining. In fact, in recent years some of them have been more entertaining than the half-time shows — and certainly more memorable.

9. Random question: Are you more likely to pretend to be more naive than you really are, or more sophisticated? 

Neither. All that pretending sounds like a lot of work. 


 Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Sunday, December 20, 2020

Sunday Stealing: For Those Who Celebrate Christmas (#1)



Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from Pinterest.

1. What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?

They only happen once a year.

2. Do you send out Christmas cards and if so how many do you send?

I do still send out cards. In fact, the sending and receiving of cards is one of my favorite things about the season, and I'm sad to see the custom dying out. We don't send nearly as many as we once did, and this year we sent out fewer than twenty.

3. Be honest: holiday newsletters. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

I've never written one, but I like them. I know I'm probably in the minority on that. I think it's a nice handy way of catching up with all the family and friends and what they've been up to during the year. Of course, I'm not a Facebook devotee — I suppose if I were, I wouldn't need the newsletters. 

4. Be honest: photo cards. Love ‘em or hate ‘em?

Don't really have a strong opinion on this. Honest.

5. How soon do you start shopping?

Usually not early enough. My mother was a wonderful Christmas shopper. She would shop all year long and have everything ready to wrap by the first week in December. I did not inherit her organizational skills. But I do like to get it all done as early as possible — definitely no last minute Christmas Eve shopping.

6. Real or fake tree?

Well, I would prefer a real tree, but the hubby and I both have allergies. I can't even have cut flowers in the house for longer than a few minutes before my eyes start itching and swelling shut. So — no real trees for us.

7. When do you put up your tree?

Usually right after Thanksgiving, but this year we had it up before that.

8. When do you take down your tree?

Twelfth Night — January 5th or 6th. Although we've been known to leave it up later than that. 

9. Describe your typical tree (size, decorations, type). 


10. What do you top your tree with?

For the last few years, we've had a Saint Nicholas topper that we bought at Hobby Lobby. 

11. Do you put Christmas lights outside your house?

Not recently. When we first moved into this house, M put up lights around the front roofline, but it's an awful lot of trouble. And an awful lot of him climbing up and down on ladders — which is something I find really scary. When we lived in the condo in Virginia, we used to put lights on our balcony every year. 

 12. Is there a wreath hanging on your door?

Yes, there is, and this is it:


13. Do you hang up stockings?

Yes, but just for decoration. Santa never fills them, darn it. 

14. Your favorite Christmas Movie(s)

Please don't get me started. Christmas movies are a real problem around here. M loves any movie that even mentions Christmas, and over the years he's added a couple of dozen to the list he just must see every year. Of course, we very seldom actually watch them all — but it gives him a goal. The only one I do try to see every year is "It's a Wonderful Life" — not because I really like it, but because I've watched it every Christmas since I was a toddler. And I prefer watching it on Christmas Eve.

15. Be honest: A Christmas movie you hate

Well, I don't really hate any of them (although I'm extremely tired of most of them), but I've never been terribly fond of any of the film versions of "A Christmas Carol." Not a Dickens fan. Also, don't care much for "Miracle on 34th Street."

16. Favorite Christmas Song(s)

I like a bunch of them, but I think my favorite is the song from the Charlie Brown Christmas special, "Christmas Time Is Here."

17. Be honest: If I hear this/these Christmas songs again I will throw up

"Santa Baby" is probably the only one that could make me barf. 

18. Give or Receive?

Receive, I think. But only because I'm the world's worst chooser of gifts to give.

19. Eggnog or Mulled Cider?

Well, I'm lactose intolerant — so cider, I guess.

20. Ham or Turkey?

Ham. 

🙋‍♀️

Friday, December 18, 2020

SkyWatch Friday: Local Shots

I haven't posted any sky shots lately. And the main reason for that is that I haven't been going far from home this year, and the skies around here haven't been all that dramatic. In fact, lately, they've pretty much all looked exactly like this:


Lots and lots of clear blue skies. And I love it. But, as I said, it makes for a bit of a boring photo.

But we did have a couple of nice sunsets around the end of last month, with some really interesting color effects. So here's a shot of one of those. 


It's the same view, or at least looking in the same direction. I always love the way the setting sun turns all the greens to a sort of rusty red. But I love those blue skies even more.

Happy Friday, everyone!


For more sky shots, click on the button above.

Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Wordless Wednesday: Merry Christmas Tree!


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Sunday, October 25, 2020

Sunday Stealing: Halloween



Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from League of Extraordinary Pen Pals.

1. What is your favorite spooky song?

The only "spooky" song I can think of right now is Monster Mash. Are there others?
2. What do you want etched on your tombstone?
"She'll be right back."
3. Who is your favorite horror movie villain?
I suppose it would have to be Dracula, although I'm really not a vampire fan. But I loved both Bela Lugosi and Frank Langella as the blood-thirsty Count D.
4. Have you ever seen a ghost?
Yes. Several times. Not all the same ghost.
5. Do you prefer gore, thrillers or supernatural movies?
I enjoy most thrillers and usually love movies with supernatural elements. I really don't like gore, in movies or books. I don't find that frightening — just nauseating.
6. What is your favorite scary book?
Wow, it would be hard to choose just one. Probably Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House. Or maybe Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. I've also enjoyed a lot of Susan Hill's books, and several by Jonathan Aycliffe. And Ira Levin's Rosemary's Baby is a spooky-fun read.
7. Have you ever had a tarot card reading?  Was it accurate?
Never had one. I've played around with tarot cards myself, but never had an actual reading.
8. Are you superstitious?
Yes, about some things.
9. Have you ever used a voodoo doll?
Yes. It sort of worked. That's all I'll say.
10. Have you ever participated in a seance?
Only on stage, in a production of "Blithe Spirit." Never in real life.
11. Have you ever heard voices when no one was around except you?
Yes, but I don't smoke that stuff anymore. (Heh-heh!)
12. What is your favorite Halloween candy?
I'm not really sure what qualifies as Halloween candy these days. As a kid I used to love candy corn, but it's been decades since I had any.
13. What was your most memorable Halloween costume?
When I was about ten or so, I dressed up as a "gypsy princess" with lots of scarves and clunky jewelry and a long skirt borrowed from one of my aunts. It wasn't scary but I loved it, even though I probably looked more like a homeless person.
14. Do you like going through haunted houses (not real ones)?
Haven't gone through a "haunted house" since I was in elementary school, and I think I helped put that one together.
15. If someone dared you to spend the night in a haunted house (a real one) would you do it?
Possibly. Would I have a private bathroom?

 

🙋

Saturday, September 12, 2020

Saturday 9: So Emotional

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...

"So Emotional"
by Whitney Houston (1987)


1. Whitney sings that she keeps her lover's photo beside her bed. What's on your bedside table?

No photos, but lots of other stuff. Here goes: A reading lamp; a box of tissues; a little plastic Fendi box that holds my earplugs; my iPad and a charger; a white ceramic plate with a miniature replica of an Egyptian cat sculpture sitting on it; and a stack of acid-free boxes that contain my collection of Betsy McCall paper dolls. And if I'm in bed, my phone will be there too. My bedside table is actually a small file cabinet, so it's a little larger than the average nightstand. 

2. She's getting frustrated, waiting for the phone to ring. If your phone were to ring right now, who would you expect to be on the other end?

Well, right now it's around 9pm, and we don't generally get phone calls at this time of night. If we did, it would more than likely be a call from family or friends with bad news. Or a wrong number.

3. The video was filmed at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA. It seats 6,200. As the nation reopens from Covid19, would you feel comfortable sitting knee-to-knee with a stranger in an arena like this?

Definitely no. I'm just not ready for much "reopening" yet.

4. This week's featured artist, Whitney Houston, appeared on the daytime drama As The World Turns. She played herself, performing with Jermaine Jackson at the Miss Cinderella contest in the fictional town of Oakdale. Have you ever been hooked on a soap opera?

Yes, back in the '70s and early '80s I used to watch All My Children religiously. I seem to remember that it came on around lunchtime, and for several years I would come home for lunch everyday (my job was within walking distance) and watch the show while I ate my peanut butter sandwich. 

5. Whitney had a sweet tooth, and her favorite breakfast cereal was Fruity Pebbles. Do you often eat cereal for lunch or dinner?

I eat some kind of cereal for breakfast everyday. Never eat it for lunch or dinner, but sometimes I eat a little as a bedtime snack.

6. At Whitney's wedding to Bobby Brown, her bridesmaids all wore lavender dresses and the groomsmen had custom made alligator shoes. Have you ever "stood up" for a friend or relative? If so, do you remember what you wore?

Yes, I have "stood up." Twice. And yes, I do remember what I wore. Sort of. Both were long dresses. One was sleeveless (right, Cuzzie?) and one had elbow-length sleeves. I think both dresses were pink (or pink-ish). And both times, my grandmother made the dress I wore — she was a wonderful seamstress. I've got photos of both dresses, somewhere — if I wasn't so lazy, I'd go look for them.


7. In 1987, the year this song was popular, Cher won the Oscar for Moonstruck. Her most famous line was, "Snap out of it!" When you think of Cher, do you first think of her movies, her TV show, or her music?

Probably her music (I've always loved her voice), but I like a lot of her movie work, too. Never watched the TV show much. 

8. Michael Douglas won the Oscar that year for Wall Street. His most famous line was, "Greed is good." His character goes on to say that, "Greed in all its forms -- greed for life, for money, for love, for knowledge -- has marked the upward surge of all mankind." Do you agree?

Sounds right. Unfortunately, I think those greedy urges are also likely to wipe us out. Possibly sooner than I expected. 

9. Random question: When you woke up this morning, were you ready to get out of bed? Or do you wish you could have snoozed for a bit longer?

I always feel like I could snooze just a little longer. Never been one to hop out of bed and get going right away. And it seems the older I get, the harder it is to get up at what the rest of the world considers a "reasonable hour." 

Happy Saturday, everyone!

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Thursday, July 2, 2020

SkyWatch Friday: Saharan Sunset

I guess this one belongs in the "one more thing to worry about" file.

Here in central Texas for the past couple of weeks, we've been inundated with clouds of dust all the way from the Sahara desert. People (like me) who have respiratory problems are being encouraged to stay indoors on the days when it's really thick. So if the pandemic doesn't keep us home, the dust is there to give it a try.

But even though it's made breathing a little tough at times, it's also provided a few really spectacular sunsets. I have to run outside, take a quick photo, and then run back in, but I've managed to get a few shots.


That tiny silver dot at the top of this photo is the moon.



For more sky shots, click on the button above.

Monday, June 15, 2020

Blue Monday: Summer Sky Blues

I haven't posted anything for Blue Monday in a very long time. Actually, I've only just started blogging again after almost letting this blog fade away. I've always wished I could be one of those reliable people who post something everyday, but I'm very lazy. And I live a really boring life, ya'll! Don't get me wrong -- I like it that way! But it doesn't give me much to blog about.

Anyhoo...back to Blue Monday. I know it's not summer yet, officially, but it certainly seems like summer around here. (Yay!) And lately we've been having some gorgeous, deep blue skies. Just like this one....



Also a little boring, I guess; but I love them.

But the other day we had some pretty interesting cloud cover that looked just like feathers. Almost like some giant bird had dropped them overhead. Not sure what caused them, but they hung around long enough for me to get a snap, then wafted away. (Like this blog keeps trying to do!)



Happy Blue Monday, everyone! Hope you have a lovely, colorful week.


Blue Monday is hosted by Magical Mystery Teacher


Ah, Nature!



Apparently June 15th is National Nature Photography Day. So here's a little bit of the nature around our place lately. Our cactus plants started blooming early this year, and kept producing flowers right up until the last week or so. I think we've probably seen the last blooms for this season, but they were a welcome sight while they lasted. The bees and wasps and other buzzy creatures certainly enjoyed them!

. . . . . .

More about today, from the NANPA website:   "Each year, June 15 is designated by the North American Nature Photography Association (NANPA) to promote the enjoyment of nature photography, and to explain how images are used to advance the cause of conservation and protect plants, wildlife, and landscapes both locally and globally.
....
NANPA encourages people everywhere to enjoy the day by using a camera to explore the natural world. A backyard, park, or other place close by can be just right. "
 

Sunday, June 14, 2020

Sunday Stealing: The Household Meme



Time for a little Sunday Stealing (hosted by Bev Sykes)  — questions lifted from all over the blogosphere.

This week's list is borrowed from MimiWrites.

1. How many gravy boats do you have in your kitchen?
One, I think. It's stored way up on one of the highest shelves in our kitchen, and I can't really even see it without getting on a stepladder. I don't make a lot of gravy.
2. Do the clothes in your laundry basket need ironing?
Well, around here things get ironed as we need them. Otherwise, they just get put away wrinkled.
3. What is the last thing you wallpapered?
I have never wallpapered anything. I was going to put wallpaper in a kitchen once upon a time, and even bought a couple of very expensive rolls of the stuff. Then decided it was too busy for our tiny kitchen (we were living in an apartment at the time), and gave up on the project. So I don't know if I'd be any good at wallpapering. But I'm VERY good at giving up on projects.
4.  Wooden floors or carpet?
I love wood floors and that's mainly what we have, although we do have carpet in a couple of areas. I actually don't mind carpet, and think it's especially nice in bedrooms. But I have asthma and allergies, and carpet is not the best choice for me.
5.  Why do we put out guest towels if no one is supposed to use them?
Well, we don't actually have "guest towels." We have a bathroom that we call the guest bath and we do have some different towels for that room, but mainly just because its color scheme is different from the one in our master bath. So around here, the guests really just get the same towels we use ourselves. I do try not to put out the ones with holes or bleached patches or ragged edges.
6.  If your spatula could talk, what would it say about your duvet?
Probably "where the heck is that duvet?" I don't have a duvet. I do have several spatulas.
7.  Have you replaced the batteries in your smoke alarms this year?
Um, I think so. That's the hubby's job and he's pretty dependable about those sorts of things. So I'm gonna go with Yes.
8. If you could put thyme in a bottle, what is the first thing that you'd like to do?
Thyme? Or time? And could I take them out of the bottle to use them? Thyme is not one of my favorite spices and I don't use it much. Time, on the other hand, is something I'm always happy to have plenty of.
9. Do eggs really crack or do they merely have a nervous breakdown?
I'm not sure what a nervous breakdown in an egg would look like. And can you avoid such a problem by coddling your eggs?
10. Why are you whipping the butter? What did it ever do to you?
Mostly just wrecked my gall bladder. But I don't whip the butter. Just switched to margarine.
11. Do your spoons spoon in the drawer? Have you ever noticed? And more importantly, if wooden spoons spoon do they get splinters?
Actually, yes they do. Get splinters, that is. (They spoon too, but that's OK -- they're spoons.) And they give splinters to the people who use them. And to avoid spoon splinters in the fingers (or, worse, in the tummy) I have purged all drawers of wooden implements and replaced them with acrylics. They don't splinter; they do melt.
12. You hear: "Dumpling, my Dumpling, come hither." The candles are lit, the fondue is dipping, the Godiva is pouring, the scallions are steaming and the music is playing.....but wait, the windows are open.  Why did you close them?
I have absolutely no idea. But if anyone ever called me Dumpling, the fondue would be pouring all over his head.
13. Do you need a recipe to cook or are you a bohemian chef?
I do need a recipe for most things. There are just a few things I'm really good at cooking without a recipe. I make a great meatloaf, and a fantastic pot roast. I'm also pretty good at fried chicken. Unfortunately, those are things we never eat anymore. I never fry anything, and I haven't cooked beef in over twenty years.
14. Is your pot black?
Hmmm. I think I do have a black cast iron skillet, but I have no idea where it might be hiding. Haven't used it in decades.
15. What is the sexiest spice or condiment in your cabinet?  What makes it so? 
No comment on this one, folks. I'm much too old to know what makes anything sexy. Most spices just give me indigestion.


🙋

Saturday, June 13, 2020

Saturday 9: The Rain, The Park and Other Things

The Saturday 9  meme is hosted by Sam Winters. Nine questions posted every Saturday — sometimes random, sometimes with a theme. This week, the theme is...


"The Rain, The Park & Other Things"
by The Cowsills (1967)



1. The Cowsills were a family band who had three hit singles. Can you name another group of popular singing siblings?
The Osmonds, Jackson Five, Everly Brothers, Beach Boys (or were they cousins?), Pointer Sisters, Isley Brothers, Lennon Sisters, Bee Gees. I could go on, but they'd all be "vintage" groups — I haven't really kept up with more recent singing groups.
2. This was their first hit, and it reached #2 on the Billboard charts. It was kept out of the #1 slot by the Monkees and "Daydream Believer." What's your favorite Monkees song?
I like both of their "believer" songs — "Daydream Believer" and "I'm a Believer." But my favorite has always been "Listen to the Band," written by Michael Nesmith (hear it). I believe it was the first time they got to perform music actually written by one of the group. I was never really a Monkees fan, but they had some very good people writing their music — Neil Diamond, John Stewart, Carole King, Boyce & Hart, Paul Williams, and Nesmith himself. And even though they took a lot of flack for not being a "real" group, they were genuinely four very talented guys.
3. After seeing the Cowsill brothers perform with their mother and sister, TV producers were inspired to create the sitcom, The Partridge Family. Did you ever watch it?
No. I've seen clips from it over the years, but never saw a whole episode.
4. In the song, the narrator takes a flower from a girl in the park. Are there flowers in your home right now?
Not inside the house. I'm allergic to most flowers.
5. He isn't sure if the girl was real, or if he dreamed her. Tell us about a recent dream you had.
I don't really remember how recently I've dreamed it, but one of my most frequent recurring dreams is the one about being out somewhere and needing to make a phone call and discovering that my phone doesn't work, or I've forgotten how to use it (!), or I've left it somewhere. They tell me it's an anxiety dream and very common. Wouldn't be so scary if there were still any pay-phones around. Remember phone booths? I used to love phone booths.
6. At the height of the Cowsills' popularity, they were hired by the American Dairy Association to promote drinking milk. If we were to peek into your refrigerator right now, would we find any milk?
Only soy milk. The hubby and I are both slightly lactose intolerant.
7. After the band stopped performing together, John Cowsill went on to become a back up musician for the Beach Boys. His job has kept him on the road much of the time. When you travel, do you enjoy staying in hotels, or would you rather stay with friends/family?
I enjoy both, but I'm really not a great traveler, no matter where I'm staying. Don't think I'll be doing any traveling anytime soon, though.
8. In 1967, the year this song was popular, Elvis married Priscilla in Las Vegas. Have you attended any weddings yet this year? Are there any weddings in your future?
No weddings, for several years now. None coming up this year, that I know about. Which is just as well. I probably would not be eager to attend any big gatherings at the moment.
9. Random question: Are the bottoms of your feet ticklish?
Hmmm. I think so. Anyway they used to be. Nobody's tickled me lately. And isn't that just a little sad?


Happy Saturday, everyone!

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