My horizons continue to broaden.

A deficiency in my vocabulary has been brought to my attention. I have an impressive command of words that I am fearful of using in sentences. They are generally words that I read and can comprehend their meaning via context, but to spontaneously employ them in an original sentence? It makes me much afeared, friends. But this new word was no blockbuster. It was hank.
Yes, hank. Not the name Hank, like Hank Aaron. But like a hank of yarn. Which I always assumed were skeins or balls no matter what shape they were. And I would tend to chose “skeins” over “balls”, because, well, I’m just not grown up enough to discuss balls with a straight face. I’m working on it. I've come a long way toward adulthood in the past couple of years.
My horizons continue to broaden. So I say "Hanks for the Memories"

Podunk

I guess it's just a part of getting old, and being home all day as opposed to clocking in at a workplace, but when I look around the neighborhood it seems everybody's crazy except me.
I spend way too much time speculating on other people's lives which is more entertaining than watching television. To think that twenty years ago, I called people like me "nosy old biddies".
But you know, parents let their kids run wild. I mean, young boys are sneaking out of their homes in the middle of the night and throwing drunken parties in a guy's barn. On a school night. I see a family nearby renting a two-bedroom hovel, sharing it with a cat and two dogs (one of the afore-mentioned boys sneaks out of said hovel at night). They have the finest TV, and blue-tooth phones (whatever that is) and have bought a GPS system for the ten-year-old junker they drive... but they live in a total dump. Why wouldn't they want something better for themselves? Why wouldn't they choose to buy a decent house, rather than rent such a place?
Then I turn the spotlight on myself, and realize that others might view me the same way. This old house needs remodeling, and yet I remain satisfied with it. Yet I always have a nice computer or two, 3 HD tv’s and a fast internet connection. People around here probably wonder why I don't want something better for myself.
It's all in priorities, I suppose.
Anyhow, I have plenty to entertain me here in the boonies, in any direction I look. You folks in the city don't have a thing on me: I have the druggies, the boozers, delinquents and losers... and they're all outside my window, performing for my own personal entertainment. (It is all about me, isn't it?)
It isn't so bad, being old. I find cheap thrills in watching others; I only wish I could stay up a bit longer at night, because I think I'm missing the best parts.
I hope nobody thinks this entry is about my neighbors; because what it's about is me, admitting to some of my own flaws.

Bed Bath and Beyond: Morgan Style

WARNING: EXTREME CUTENESS BELOW

Think

1. I think that the world just doesn't care enough.

2. I think we all don't make enough time for the important things.

3. I think that people only believe what they see, when a persons integrity is what we should really go by.

4. I think that I can do a lot more to make myself a better person.

5. I think that no one really understands me like I think they do.

6. I think we all should be a little more honest with each other.

7. I think that we all need to find our balances.

8. I think that I sometimes "over"care about some things.

Change

1. When we change, we grow.

2. Face your worst fears one on one. Don’t run away from it. The key to change is to let go of fear.

3. If certain things change, they change for the good.

4. Big things happen when you do little things right.

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.

Sleep Tight Don’t let the Bedbugs Bite.

When I was a kid I remember my dad saying “ night night sleep tight don’t let the bed bugs bite.” Was just a night time ritual for me but according to the news, the bed bug population has exploded. Why the sudden increase in bed bug outbreaks? The tiny insects had been all but eliminated in United States the 1960s following the widespread use of DDT, but bed bugs remained a problem for much of the rest of the world. Experts believe that the 1970s ban on DDT and an increase in international travel are to blame for the recent outbreak.

Here is a list of the top 10 infected cities in the US. Plan your vacation accordingly. You are welcome.

1. Cincinnati, Ohio

2. Columbus, Ohio

3. Chicago, Illinois

4. Denver, Colorado

5. Detroit, Michigan

6. Washington, D.C.

7. New York, New York

8. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

9. Dayton, Ohio

10. Baltimore, Maryland

Just reading this makes me itch all over.

What I'm Wondering about Today

I’m wondering if I’ll ever unpack those remaining boxes in the store room or if they’ll just stay there until I move them to the nursing home with me.

I’m wondering how the hell old is Willard Scott. He’s got to be approaching 105 or something.

I’m wondering why dog doo turns white.

I’m wondering if ponchos will ever come back in fashion. Not that it really matters…I have to purchase most of my clothes at Omar’s Tent and Awning anyway.

I’m wondering what are you wondering?

Crap about me and some Pictures:

1. I will never regret the things that I've experienced in my life.

2. I can eat crab legs until I'm sick.

3. I hate Geico insurance commercials.

4. I love butterflies. They represent life and happiness to me.

5. I hate the way I sound when I talk.

6. I can be very stubborn when I want to be.

7. I love making a mess more than I like cleaning up the mess.

8. My favorite color is pink

9. I would rather give gifts than receive them.

10. I've given new meaning to "feel the fear and do it any way".

These were taken last evening look really close to see the hummingbirds, I have so many visiting this year. My camera is a simple point and shoot so please keep that in mind. Click on the picture for a larger view.

People

So, what's a pet peeve anyway? Pet peeves are small irritating things people unknowingly do out of habit or on purpose.

1. People who crack their knuckles.

2. People, using, too many, commas, when not, necessary. These could be the ones who pause too much while talking, PAU-sitive thinkers.

3. Bald people who won't let go of, those last two strands of precious hair.

4. When people opine and give free advice after everything you say, because they think 'you can't think for your own self.

5. People who believe that chain mails can make their wish come true.

6. People who fake smile.

7. People that stand too close behind you in lines so if you move back an inch you bump into them.

8. People that state the obvious as though they're passing on to you some great insight. No examples, just use your imagination.

9. People who scrape a fork, knife or spoon on a plate. arrghhhh. That's the most annoying sound ever, and why can't people eat without being so noisy with their utensils?

10. People that feel they have to curse every 2 seconds when trying to put a sentence together. like can you just say something intelligent without saying the "f" word?

Sunday Sunshine

Ants Part II

Ants are taking over the world. And by the world, I mean my house.
I have never liked ants, but I never had a strong hatred for them. Now, they are public enemy no. 1. I have seriously had nightmares about them-- crawling on me, my bed, my food. Sometimes now even just at the sight of one, it's like I feel them crawling on me. They are getting in my head! I'm fantasizing cruel and unusual ways to kill them. Luring them with sugar, spraying hairspray and lighting them on fire. Or luring them to the microwave and letting radiation do it's job. No, I'm not crazy...
Terro Liquid Ant Killer. It is said to be amazing. You put a few drops on some cardboard next to where the ants are entering and they take some as food back to their home. It eventually kills the ant and since they brought it to their home, it kills even the ones you can't see. This stuff better friggin' work. I'm pretty sure the builders of this house was just plopped it right on top of a massive ant hill. Ah, the adventures of home ownership.

I’m a duck

I try to be an up beat kind of person. I have a theory that you receive what you send out. So if you send negativity out into the universe that is what comes back to you.

Just because someone is being negative, doesn’t mean it has to impact me. I always have the choice of how the attitudes of others will impact me. Water runs off a duck’s back - even when there is water all around them. They have been equipped with the ability to feel the rain without getting wet. Think of negativity like rain, and so I’m a duck!

Resemblances

Me

Morgan

Wonderful Life

I have a wonderful life; I have something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. Really now, what more can I ask?

Top Ten Worst Family Heirlooms

10. Open jar of mayonnaise.
9. Great-grandparents' bondage gear.
8. Toenail clippings.
7. Predisposition to public flatulence.
6. Grandpa's place on the couch.
5. Credit card debt.
4. Live hand grenade with missing pin.
3. Vintage roadkill collection.
2. Grandma's secret crystal meth recipe.
1. Autopsy photo album.

Lacking

There are a lot of ideas floating around in my mind. However, I seem to be lacking in the ability to put my thoughts into words. Hence, the trusty pet peeve post.

1. Getting “their” and “they’re”, or “you’re” and “your” mixed up.

2. Using the word “like” in every sentence.

3. Qualifying offensive statements with: “No offense, but….”

4. Naming children with ‘character-building’ names like ‘Trinity’, or “Freedom”

5. Spitting on the ground.

6. Wearing sunglasses indoors.

7. Being happy and chirpy before 10am.

8. Leaving a shopping cart in the middle of a parking space.

9. Chewing with your mouth open.

10. Wasting peoples time with a list of pet peeves.

Sunday Sugar Pt 3

Top Ten Signs Your Ancestors Were Poor

10. Named a child "Coca-Cola" in hopes of sponsorship.
9. Had to sit in the bleachers at the Salem Witch Trials.
8. Always asked the census taker for spare change.
7. Were forced to sell off Uncle Ernie during the Great Depression.
6. Left copious family records, all stamped "Past Due."
5. Had their wedding catered by a soup kitchen.
4. Couldn't afford to change their name from "Dipschitz."
3. Had to give up the family dirt farm when the market for dirt collapsed.
2. Swam behind the ship because tickets in steerage were too pricey.
1. Cardboard tombstones.

Forgive my Ignorance

1. for-give
   /fərˈgɪv/ verb
   –verb (used with object)
   to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
   to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
   to grant pardon to (a person).
   to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
   to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
   
   verb (used without object)
   to pardon an offense or an offender.

forgive. (n.d.). Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1).

I don’t understand how forgiveness works. I mean, I get how you can agree to let something go. But, that doesn’t mean that whatever occurred was OK. It just means you will try to get by it, right? But, does it also mean that when you think back on whatever occurred that it shouldn’t still burn your a$$? Because if it didn’t burn your a$$, that sort of implies that it (whatever action) was somehow OK or justified. Which it probably wasn’t. Which is why it upset you in the first place. But if it does still burn your a$$, then you haven’t REALLY let it go, have you?
OR
Not feeling resentment or upset about something that hurt you would imply a certain neutrality to the situation, an ability to disconnect from the events. Which if you were truly disconnected, likely would not have resulted in your state of offense. So, you wise folk of blog land, what’s the deal? How does forgiveness work? I can't seem to nail it down here.

It is good to be a woman

It is good to be a woman:

1. We got off the Titanic first.

2. We can scare male bosses with mysterious gynecological disorder excuses.

3. Taxis stop for us.

4. We don't look like a frog in a blender when dancing.

5. No fashion faux pas we make could ever rival the Speedo.

6. We don't have to pass gas to amuse ourselves.

7. If we forget to shave, no one has to know.

8. We can congratulate our teammate without ever touching her rear end.

9. We never have to reach down every so often to make sure our privates are still there.

10. We have the ability to dress ourselves.

11. We can talk to the opposite sex without having to picture them naked.

12. If we marry someone 20 years younger, we are aware that we will look like an idiot.

13. We will never regret piercing our ears.

14. There are times when chocolate really CAN solve all your problems.

15. We can make comments about how silly men are in their presence because they aren't listening anyway.

Random Truths

1. Remember you do not get unlimited opportunities to be a good friend.

2. Stay home when you’re sick with something contagious. It’s not about your illness; it’s about everyone else’s health.

3. It’s better to scream the truth than whisper a lie. But realize people have more faith in those who whisper. The moral: Whisper the truth.

4. Remember that you’re boring if you’re bored.

5. Know who’s worth your time, and who isn’t.

6. Never let your worst enemy see you in anything but a state of utter and heartfelt bliss.

7. Don't marry someone you can live with; marry someone you can't live without.

8. If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse.

9. You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need

10. Face your fears head-on, and, in the process feel the pain, but also reap the rewards.

11. The less possessions we own the more freedom we have.

25 Ways to Combat Stress

Do yourself a favor. Practice any or all of these stress busters.
They can mean the difference between good health and bad.
1. Laugh
2. Socialize
3. Get rid of Anger
4. Be Decisive
5. Be Assertive
6. Get Some Sleep
7. Adapt your Environment
8. Encourage Yourself
9. Choose Winners
10.Reward Yourself
11.Establish Rituals
12.Nurture your Spirituality
13.Take Note
14.Play Around
15.Slow Down
16.Take Holidays
17.Take up a hobby
18.Delegate
19.Be in control of your finances
20.Do not Procrastinate
21.Live by lists
22.Eat Right
23.Exercise
24.Relax
25.Take your time

Top Ten Worst Lines From Obituaries

10. "Harold died after a long, hard-fought battle with self-loathing."
9. "Barbara Harris went to meet her Lord and Savior this morning, assuming that her last-minute prayers worked."
8. "Our mother was born in Georgia, which Wikipedia tells us is either in Asia or near Florida."
7. "He was a confirmed bachelor, but totally not gay."
6. "She is survived by her husband Richard, who is now looking for companionship and casual sex. Please, no fatties."
5. "Daniel Connors, 23, died unexpectedly at his home on Thursday afternoon. (Surprisingly, it wasn't suicide.)"
4. "Funeral services will be held Saturday morning at 10:30, at which time the homes of the people listed above will be unoccupied and vulnerable to burglary."
3. "Frank enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, but couldn't stand his great-great-grandchildren."
2. "In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the obituaries editor of this newspaper. In cash."
1. "She was a loving mother, a devoted wife, and an unrepentant murderer."

Sunday Sugar Part II

Morgan

2 months

The year I was born

A Car Cost $1100.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is president of the US.
The Battle of the Midway begins, marketing the first major defeat for the Japanese.
Fire at the Coconut Grove nightclub in Boston kills 491
Forced detention of 110,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast begins.
German General Rommel is defeated at the Battle of El Alamein.
Pan American Airlines becomes the first commercial airline to have a flight go around the world.
Stephen Hawking, Muhammad Ali, Tammy Faye Bakker, Martin Scorsese, and Jimi Hendrix born.
St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series.
Washington Redskins win the NFL championships.
Toronto Maple Leafs win the Stanley Cup.
Casablanca premieres at the Hollywood Theater in New York City.

find yours Here

Seven movies that I can watch over and over again:

(added favorite quotes)
1. The Patriot -" I'm a parent. I haven't got the luxury of principles."
2. The Princess Bride - "You rush a miracle man, you get rotten miracles. "
3. Hope Floats - "Beginnings are scary. Endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most."
4. Can't Hardly Wait - " There's a mirror right there. Take a look, you're white. "
5. Say Anything - "If you start out depressed, everything's kind of a pleasant surprise."
6.National Lampoons Christmas Vacation - "WORSE? How could things get any worse? Take a look around here, Ellen. We're at the threshold of hell. "
7. Elf - "SON of a NUTcracker!" & my favorite "You stink. You smell like beef and cheese! You don't smell like Santa.

Out my back door

I took these pictures out my back door a few minutes ago.
That is the Wabash River.
There were a lot of hummingbirds at the feeder but
I am too old and slow to catch a good picture of them.

Let’s talk about me

1. I am incredibly random and off-the-wall.

2. Ice cream has the ability to make everything bad in my life go away for awhile.

3. 90% of the time I am an extreme introvert.

4. I'm trying to learn to be more flexible.

5. I really enjoy a good cup of coffee.

6. I tend to think logically far more than I think emotionally.

7. I truthfully love lounging in my pajamas all day.

8. I truly do believe that I can do absolutely anything.

9. I love old films, especially those starring Audrey Hepburn.

10. I'm extremely claustrophobic.

Gong

Persons of a certain age may remember a TV program titled The Gong Show. They had a panel of three mildly famous folks for judges. For some reason, it always seemed like one of them was Klinger from MASH. And acts would perform. If they sucked, one of the judges could smack the gong, and they’d be done. And if the performers made it through without getting gonged, the judges would give them a numerical rating. Kind of precursor to Dancing with the Stars and American Idol, I guess.
But many of the acts were truly awful. Some of them went there with the intention of being gonged, and some were just awful and yet thought they were great. Any one of the three judges could gong. Sometimes you would see a scuffle as one pseudo celeb tried to wrestle another to prevent (or sometimes for the privilege of) a gonging. You could see sometimes how the judges pitied the performers, or enjoyed the lameness and would let the show limp on. But inevitably, it would become unbearable to them and the gong was struck.
And I began to think about how great it would be to just gong people right off the stage of our lives. And if they gave any resistance, the big hook would come out and yank them away. Some freak show wants to strike up an absurd convo with you? GONG! Some a$$ on a cell wants to dominate the environment with his obnoxious call? GONG! Some dude comes along wearing the same gym socks since the first Bush administration? GONG.
I can tell you that I have waited patiently through many bad acts, hoping that they would improve. But they usually don’t. So, I've come to this decision. I hereby reserve the right to gong. I can’t just sit around waiting for Klinger* to do my dirty work.
*Is Klinger still alive?

Sunday Sugar

Morgan
7 Weeks

Why, Hello

Oops.
Where did July go?
How on earth do the months go by so quickly? Where is my time going?
Seriously.
This is like a pseudo-post, it holds no real information, only the admission that I have again lost my mojo, and the statement that I hope to do better in the future. Consider it a mental reboot.