(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

What I think was a young Cooper's Hawk stopped by recently to visit our garden gnome.

I think he was actually checking out the action around our bird feeder.

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

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Sunday Stealing: Brrr

Wow, it's been many months (well, a couple anyway) since I posted anything here at joysweb. Had some minor but time-consuming health issues during the Holidays. Then M and I both managed to get the flu just before Christmas. (He said, "You know, I think I might be coming down with something" and an hour later his temperature was up to 104.) Officially, we're over it now, but I've been surprised at how long it's taken us both to "bounce back." I guess at our age, any kind of bouncing gets harder and harder.

So I haven't had a huge amount of energy lately, and whatever I've had has been mostly devoted to my book blog and all those advance reader copies of books I need to read. But I do want to get things going on this blog again, so thought I'd start with a little Sunday Stealing (now hosted by Bev Sykes) -- always a fun thing to do.

This week's questions are in honor of the start of the Winter Olympics and are stolen from Bogglesworld.

1. Do you prefer winter or summer? Why?

Summer. I just really hate cold weather and need lots of sunshine to stay sane.

2. What are your favorite winter activities?

Hibernation, checking the thermostat, and staring at the photos from last summer's trip to Hawaii.

3. Can you tell me about a time you went skiing or skating?

Are you crazy, or what?

4. Have you ever made a snow angel?

There's no way I'd insert that much of my body into snow. 

5. Is your house cold?

At the moment, it seems a little chilly. But it's a little colder outside today too. 

6. Do you have a fireplace in your house?

Yes, but we've never used it for a fire. Makes a nice place to hang the Christmas stockings, though.

7. What do you usually do to keep warm in the winter?

Stay indoors.

8. Have you ever gone hiking in the snow?

Yes. Against my better judgment. 

9. Tell me about a snowball fight you had.

Nothing to tell. I grew up in a snow-free zone. I think M and I did throw a few handfuls of snow at each other when we experienced our first snowfall after we were married and living in the Texas panhandle. That got really boring really fast. 

10. Have you ever looked at a snowflake carefully?

Yes, individually they're amazing and beautiful. Together, they're nasty and scary. 

11. Do you have a sled? Have you been sledding?

No and no. Well, I do have a couple of decorative mini-sleds in with the Christmas ornaments and dolls.

12. What do you usually do after a big snowfall?

Curse whatever snow gods created it. 

13. What’s the best thing about winter?

Here in central Texas, the best thing about winter is that it's usually over by the end of February. This year, we're not feeling so sure about that.  

14. What’s the worst thing about winter?

It's not summer.

15. Have you ever been in a blizzard?

Several times. It never got to be fun. 

16. Can you describe ice for me?

Hmmm. Cold. Hard. Great in cocktails and sno-cones. Good for preserving food, lowering fever, soothing aches and pains. Not so wonderful on roads and sidewalks. 

17. Have you ever slipped on ice and hurt yourself?

Yes. Don't remind me. 

18. Have you ever had to shovel snow?

Fortunately, no. I've helped a little when M has done it, but no real shoveling. When we lived in Virginia, he frequently had to dig the car out of the snowy parking lot in winter. I mostly watched from our balcony, above. This is a shot I took of him at work, during what was quite possibly the last big snow event I've experienced, back in 2010. I felt really bad about not helping. Yes, I did.

19. Will you be watching the Olympics?

Yes. Strangely, I love the winter Olympics. All that snow is lovely to look at on the TV screen -- or Christmas cards. I just don't want to be out IN it. 

20. If yes, what are your favorite events?

Well, I like the skating, but that's mostly done indoors. But I love the skiing too, and lately I've gotten interested in the luge competitions. Also enjoy the snowboarding stuff, but I'm always afraid one of those kids is going to screw up and break his/her neck while I'm watching. 

...

Saturday 9: Son of a Preacher Man

Haven't done a Saturday 9 post in quite a while. Well, actually, I haven't done any blogging at all for weeks now. Where've I been? Hmmm. Good question. More on that later. But for now....

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

"Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield

Listen to it HERE.

1. This song was originally offered to Aretha Franklin, who turned it down. What's the most recent thing that you said "no" to?

This is interesting. I really can't remember saying no to much of anything lately. I must be going through a positive energy phase. I passed up a couple of samples offered at Costco today — does that count?

2. Two years later, Aretha recorded "Son of a Preacher Man." What's something you changed your mind about?

Hawaii. I always thought people exaggerated when they called it paradise. Then I went there and found out they were absolutely correct.

3. This song tells the tale of Billy Ray, a young man who could be very persuasive. If we wanted to change your mind about something, would you be more easily swayed by an emotional argument, or with verifiable facts?

I'm tempted to say "just the facts," but actually it would probably depend on what that "something" is, and who's doing the persuading. I can ignore emotional arguments from some folks, but not from others. 

4. If you ordered a "Son of a Preacher Man" in a bar, you'd get a cocktail made with peppermint schnapps, gin and lemonade. When did you last have lemonade? Was it just lemonade, or was it spiked with alcohol?

Can't remember the last time I had lemonade, spiked or otherwise. Never been a big fan of the stuff. I'm more likely to have iced tea or a soft drink. Or limeade. 

5. Dusty had a thing for maps. She admired them artistically and enjoyed using them to take long car trips. Do you use printed maps? Or do you rely on technology, like GPS or Google Maps?

Both, old school and techie. But I "have a thing" for maps too, and have a small collection of old ones that I just can't throw away. 

6. As a girl, she attended convent school. There, one of the nuns discouraged Dusty from performing, telling her that if she would do better to be a mother or a librarian. When you were growing up, did the adults in your world encourage your dreams?

No, not at all. Sad but true. 

7. That nun inspired Dusty's first major act of rebellion. In an attempt to make herself look less like a future librarian or housewife, she bleached her hair platinum blonde. In school, were you much of a rebel? Or did you conform to the expectations adults had of you?

I was always too much of a rule-follower to be a real rebel. But in high school I did have my own agenda and kept pretty focused on it, and that made me sort of non-conformist.

8. Early in her career, Dusty provided the entertainment at a family summer camp. She appeared on the bill with a clown, a fire-eater and a hypnotist. Have you ever been hypnotized?

Yes.

9. Random question: Have you ever played matchmaker to your friends? If yes, did your efforts lead to romance?

Yes, I've played matchmaker. The Hubs and I once tried to "fix up" a couple of our friends who we thought were perfect for each other. They met, and loathed each other on sight. Never gonna try that again!

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

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Saturday 9: Chattanooga Choo-Choo

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

"Chattanooga Choo-Choo" by Glenn Miller

Listen to it HERE.

Glenn Miller was my mother's favorite band leader when she was a young woman.

She always said that she and my father sort of considered Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" their song.

I don't recall her saying anything much about "Chattanooga Choo-Choo." 

1.  Chattanooga is Tennessee's fourth largest city. Have you ever visited Tennessee? If so, where did you go and what did you see?

I have been to Tennessee many times, although never as an actual destination. When we lived up on the East Coast and drove to Texas for visits, Tennessee was always a good stopping point. Camped out several times in one or another of their lovely state parks. (Natchez Trace has great facilities.) And we spent a very pleasant evening exploring Beale Street in Memphis on one trip — delicious gumbo and great music. Also went to see Graceland once, but we were on a tight schedule and only got as far as the gates. 

Graceland from the front gates, 2004

Didn't even have time to leave graffiti on the walls. Do they still allow that?

Graffiti on Graceland's wall

Since Glenn Miller's recording of "Chattanooga Choo-Choo" was awarded the first-ever gold record, we're going to devote the next questions to your firsts.

2. What was the first award or accolade you ever won?

The earliest one I can remember is a spelling bee I won back in second or third grade. Actually, I might have come in second. But I got a little gold paper "medal" with a white ribbon attached. I was thrilled.

3. We know about your blog. But which was the first social media site that you posted to? (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, MySpace ...)

I did have a MySpace account in the very early days — almost forgot about that. I got it because I heard Grace Slick had one and I wanted to see what she posted. But I never did anything with mine. (Gracie never really did anything with hers, either.) I've never been much of a social media person. Even now, I only have a Facebook account because so many of my family and friends are there. But I frequently forget about it for weeks at a time. Never got involved in any of the early things like chat rooms or bulletin boards, either. I did post a few questions on some of the old genealogy info-seeking websites in the '90s. But I think my first real internet presence was actually my book blog (just called Joy's Blog in those days, now A Little Reading).

4. Where did you go on your first plane ride?

Mexico City.

5. Tell us about your first cell phone.

We got our first cell phone back in the late '90s (1998 maybe?) and it was huge (and heavy) by today's standards. It didn't do much of anything, just made phone calls. No internet connection or camera. (This was probably before phones started getting "smart"?) It had a little carrying case that would clip onto your belt. We had it for years. One day the hubby left it in the men's room of an Olive Garden (or maybe Chili's) in Fall's Church, Virginia, and when he went back to look for it, the staff had it waiting for him and said they'd been pretty sure it was a phone but had never seen one that old. We knew it was time for an upgrade.

6. Tell us about your first tattoo: Where is it on your body? Where did you have it done? What does it depict?

A tattoo? Moi? Surely you jest. Actually, I've always sort of wanted to get a tattoo, but if I did I'm not sure the Hubs would let me back in the house. I suppose I could get one and not tell him, and just see how long it takes him to notice.

7. How old were you when you had your first piercing?

My first piercing? I'm assuming we're not talking vaccinations here, right? Only my ears are pierced, folks. And I was in my twenties when that happened. 

8. What had you been drinking the first time you suffered a hangover?

That's way too long ago to remember. Probably bourbon and Coke. 

9. Was your first ticket for parking or was it a moving violation?

I have never been ticketed. Never even had a warning. I am a very careful driver.

Happy Saturday, everyone!
And have a great weekend.

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