Happy New Year

Snow on the Wabash

5 on Friday

 
1) Do you remember your dreams?
Most of the time. Often they fade really fast and I am left only with general idea, and sometimes I remember them in detail.
2) Do you dream in color or black and white?
In color.
3) What is the scariest dream you have had?
The one that had something like a plot?
This one was pretty recent, like a few months ago. I  woke up, or at least it seemed that way, and saw this really creepy looking guy just kind of hovering over me. I couldn't move and I couldn't see anything but him. I could also just tell that he intended to hurt me. It seemed so real too which just adds to the whole creep factor. Even when I actually did wake up I was creeped out. I was creeped out a while afterwards too. That's how real it was. Even now I can see the guy pretty clearly.
4) What is the weirdest dream you have had?
Don't know. Everything looks so logical while I am asleep.
5) Have you ever had a dream come true?
No, I don't think it had ever happened.

Merry Christmas

Brain Teaser

I found this on facebook.  It took me awhile to figure it out.  But once you do it is so so so funny.   Good luck

Perception

 
THE SITUATION
In Washington , DC , at a Metro Station, on a cold January morning in 2007, this man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, approximately 2,000 people went through the station, most of them on their way to work. After about 3 minutes, a middle-aged man noticed that there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds, and then he hurried on to meet his schedule.
About 4 minutes later:
The violinist received his first dollar. A woman threw money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.
At 6 minutes:
A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.
At 10 minutes:
A 3-year old boy stopped, but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head the whole time. This action was repeated by several other children, but every parent - without exception - forced their children to move on quickly.
At 45 minutes:
The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.
After 1 hour:
He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed and no one applauded. There was no recognition at all.
No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before, Joshua Bell sold-out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each to sit and listen to him play the same music.
This is a true story. Joshua Bell, playing incognito in the D.C Metro Station, was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.
This experiment raised several questions:
*In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
*If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
*Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.
How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
Enjoy life NOW... it has an expiration date!

Sad

I have stepped away from the computer for the last few days.  Reading the accounts and listening to the news, makes me sad and yet at the same time so very very thankful.  I really don't have the words to say how I feel or what I think of the cowardly murder of so many innocent children and 5 brave teachers. I am sure the families who have lost children and loved ones would tell us to be thankful and to cherish our family. I hope we all can do that.

Christmas Cactus

I started off with 3 plants. I killed one almost immediately. One was puny and has almost died off a couple of times. Then there is this one.  It is loaded with blooms and is just gorgeous.  I had to share it here.  I will try to get more pictures when it is in full bloom. 

Dear Santa

I know you are not a miracle worker but I am hoping you are a wish granter. So here a a couple wishes I have for this Christmas.
1. I’m not dreaming of a white Christmas but of a Green one, all I am asking is for it to rain money. Yep you got it…money. It seems like that would the top wish on most folks Christmas lists. Even if you only let it rain for five minutes, that would be okay.
2.  This is a hard one Santa, but I think you can make it happen. Seize up all the utility company’s computers and while your at it all bill collectors phones. Let us have a peaceful and relaxing Christmas with out worries of bills coming due.  Maybe while your at it you could accidently cause the slate to be wiped clean so we can start over in the new year.
3.  Last but not least, Santa .. I am asking for JOY. And a whole lot of it, I am feeling sort of Grinchy at the moment, so leave me an extra dose.
Thanks Santa!
PS---I will leave you cookies.
PPS—There is a cold beer in the fridge with your name on it.

darkness and light

Just ten more days till the winter solstice.  Then it will start slowly getting lighter again. It is dark when we get up and dark before the 5 o’clock news comes on.  Today it is foggy and rainy with no snow on the ground to reflect any available light. Every day or so the sun comes out for a little bit and I squint gratefully into the light. Some people seem to like this time of year. They call it cozy.  Me, I feel all out of sorts and almost depressed. I will slog on thru this dark time of year and wonder why, even , when I know to expect this dark dismal time I let it affect me. 

 grateful

 [greyt-fuh l] 

adjective

1.warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful: I am grateful to you for your help.

2.expressing or actuated by gratitude: a grateful letter.

3.pleasing to the mind or senses; agreeable or welcome; refreshing: a grateful breeze.

Origin:
1545–55;  obsolete grate  pleasing (< Latin grātus ) + -ful

$5.37

That's what the kid behind the counter at Taco Bell said to me.
I dug into my pocket and pulled out some lint and two dimes and something that used to be a Jolly Rancher. Having already handed the kid a five-spot, I started to head back out to the truck to grab some change when the kid with the Elmo hairdo said the hardest thing anyone has ever said to me.  He said, "It's OK. I'll just give you the senior citizen discount." I turned to see who he was talking to and then heard the sound of change hitting the counter in front of me. "Only $4.68" he said cheerfully.
I stood there stupefied. I am 56, not even 60 yet?
A mere child!
Senior citizen?
I took my burrito and walked out to the truck wondering what was wrong with Elmo. Was he blind?As I sat in the truck, my blood began to boil.  Old? Me?  I'll show him, I thought. I opened the door and headed back inside. I strode to the counter, and there he was waiting with a smile.
Before I could say a word, he held up something and jingled it in front of me, like I could be that easily distracted!
What am I now? A toddler?
"Dude! Can't get too far without your car keys, eh?" I stared with utter disdain at the keys.  I began to rationalize in my mind!  "Leaving keys behind hardly makes a man elderly! It could happen to anyone!" I turned and headed back to the truck.
I slipped the key into the ignition, but it wouldn't turn. What now? I checked my keys and tried another. Still nothing.  That's when I noticed the purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror. I had no purple beads hanging from my rear view mirror.  Then, a few other objects came into focus:
The car seat in the back seat.
Happy Meal toys spread all over the floorboard.
A partially eaten doughnut on the dashboard.
Faster than you can say ginkgo biloba, I flew out of the alien vehicle.  Moments later I was speeding out of the parking lot, relieved to finally be leaving this nightmarish stop in my life. That is when I felt it, deep in the bowels of my stomach: hunger!  My stomach growled and churned, and I reached to grab my burrito,only it was nowhere to be found.
I swung the truck around, gathered my courage,and strode back into the restaurant one final time.
There Elmo stood, draped in youth and black nail polish.  All I could think was, "What is the world coming to?"  All I could say was, "Did I leave my food and drink in here"?  At this point I was ready to ask a Boy Scout to help me back to my vehicle, and then go straight home and apply for Social Security benefits.
Elmo had no clue.
I walked back out to the truck, and suddenly a young lad came up and tugged on my jeans to get my attention. He was holding up a drink and a bag.
His mother explained, "I think you left this in my truck by mistake." I took the food and drink from the little boy and sheepishly apologized.
She offered these kind words: "It's OK. My grandfather does stuff like this all the time."
All of this is to explain how I got a ticket doing 85 in a 40 mph zone. Yessss, I was racing some punk kid in a Toyota Prius. And no, I told the officer, I'm not too old to be driving this fast.
As I walked in the front door, my wife met me halfway down the hall. I handed her a bag of cold food and a $300 speeding ticket.
I promptly sat in my rocking chair and covered up my legs with a blankey.
The good news was I had successfully found my way home.(adapted from an email)

Monday with Morgan

Last year was very traumatic for Morgan.

This year was tear free.

Light and Darkness Season

Just ten more days till the winter solstice.  Then it will start slowly getting lighter again. It is dark when we get up and dark before the 5 o’clock news comes on.  Today it is foggy and rainy with no snow on the ground to reflect any available light. Every day or so the sun comes out for a little bit and I squint gratefully into the light. Some people seem to like this time of year. They call it cozy.  Me, I feel all out of sorts and almost depressed. I will slog on thru this dark time of year and wonder why, even , when I know to expect this dark dismal time I let it affect me. 

 grateful

 [greyt-fuh l] 

adjective

1.warmly or deeply appreciative of kindness or benefits received; thankful: I am grateful to you for your help.

2.expressing or actuated by gratitude: a grateful letter.

3.pleasing to the mind or senses; agreeable or welcome; refreshing: a grateful breeze.

Origin:
1545–55;  obsolete grate  pleasing (< Latin grātus ) + -ful

December 7

On Dec. 7, 1941, while negotiations were going on with Japanese representatives in Washington, Japanese carrier-based planes swept in without warning over Oahu and attacked (7:55 '[AM]' local time) the bulk of the U.S. Pacific fleet, moored in Pearl Harbor. Nineteen naval vessels, including eight battleships, were sunk or severely damaged; 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed. Military casualties were 2,280 killed and 1,109 wounded; 68 civilians also died. On Dec. 8, the United States declared war on Japan.
Soon there will be no more survivors of the attack on Pearl Harbor. It is up to all of us to remember that day. We have to remember the horrors of war in hopes that someday the wars will be gone.

5 on Friday

1. What is the one place you never want to live?
Alaska. Canada. Russia. Either pole. Anywhere COLD.
2. Do you consider yourself to be a "picky eater"?
Not at all. I'll try about anything once. I like trying out new dishes. I'm even learning to like to cook.
3. What do you think people say about you behind your back?
I hope that they would say I am a good person. and not "That girl is a little psycho..."
4. If you could own and operate any major business what would be?
Major business? I would love to take over the VA Hospital for just a little while. Oh, the changes I would make.
5. Do you feel as if you are a black-and-white only person, or a person who sees many gray areas? That is to say, do you have strong opinions on everything, or do you recognize the need to compromise?
I see the world made up of many, many shades of gray.

Evidence

A mistake is evidence that someone has tried to do something...
Someone who never makes any mistakes has never tried to do anything at all.~ unknown

I have definitely tried to do something. I make mistakes all the time!

FOR THOSE OF US OLD ENOUGH TO REMEMBER

 
Hollywood Squares:
These great questions and answers are from the days when ' Hollywood Squares' game show responses were spontaneous, not scripted, as they are now. Peter Marshall was the host asking the questions, of course…
 
Q. Paul, what is a good reason for pounding meat?
A. Paul Lynde: Loneliness!
(The audience laughed so long and so hard it took up almost 15 minutes of the show!)
Q. Do female frogs croak?
A. Paul Lynde: If you hold their little heads under water long enough.
Q. If you're going to make a parachute jump, at least how high should you be.
A. Charley Weaver: Three days of steady drinking should do it.
Q. True or False, a pea can last as long as 5,000 years...
A. George Gobel: Boy, it sure seems that way sometimes.
Q. You've been having trouble going to sleep. Are you probably a man or a woman?
A. Don Knotts: That's what's been keeping me awake.
Q. According to Cosmopolitan, if you meet a stranger at a party and you think that he is attractive, is it okay to come out and ask him if he's married?
A. Rose Marie: No, wait until morning.
Q. Which of your five senses tends to diminish as you get older?
A. Charley Weaver: My sense of decency.
Q. In Hawaiian, does it take more than three words to say 'I Love You'?
A. Vincent Price: No, you can say it with a pineapple and a twenty.
Q. What are 'Do It,' 'I Can Help,' and 'I Can't Get Enough'?
A. George Gobel: I don't know, but it's coming from the next apartment.
Q. As you grow older, do you tend to gesture more or less with your hands while talking?
A. Rose Marie: You ask me one more growing old question Peter, and I'll give you a gesture you'll never forget.
Q. Paul, why do Hell's Angels wear leather?
A. Paul Lynde: Because chiffon wrinkles too easily.
Q.. Charley, you've just decided to grow strawberries. Are you going to get any
during the first year?
A.. Charley Weaver: Of course not, I'm too busy growing strawberries.
Q. In bowling, what's a perfect score?
A. Rose Marie: Ralph, the pin boy.
Q. It is considered in bad taste to discuss two subjects at nudist camps. One is politics, what is the other?
A. Paul Lynde: Tape measures.
Q. During a tornado, are you safer in the bedroom or in the closet?
A. Rose Marie: Unfortunately Peter, I'm always safe in the bedroom.
Q. Can boys join the Camp Fire Girls?
A. Marty Allen: Only after lights out.
Q. When you pat a dog on its head he will wag his tail. What will a goose do?
A. Paul Lynde: Make him bark?
Q. If you were pregnant for two years, what would you give birth to?
A. Paul Lynde: Whatever it is, it would never be afraid of the dark.
Q. According to Ann Landers, is there anything wrong with getting into the habit of kissing a lot of people?
A. Charley Weaver: It got me out of the army.
Q. It is the most abused and neglected part of your body, what is it?
A. Paul Lynde: Mine may be abused, but it certainly isn't neglected
Q. Back in the old days, when Great Grandpa put horseradish on his head, what was he trying to do?
A. George Gobel: Get it in his mouth.
Q. Who stays pregnant for a longer period of time, your wife or your elephant?
A. Paul Lynde: Who told you about my elephant?
Q. When a couple have a baby, who is responsible for its sex?
A. Charley Weaver: I'll lend him the car, the rest is up to him.
Q. Jackie Gleason recently revealed that he firmly believes in them and has actually seen them on at least two occasions. What are they?
A. Charley Weaver: His feet.
Q. According to Ann Landers, what are two things you should never do in bed?
A. Paul Lynde: Point and laugh.

WE DON'T STOP LAUGHING BECAUSE WE GROW OLD,
WE GROW OLD BECAUSE WE STOP LAUGHING!
(from an email)

And the walls came tumbling down

They started around noon today.  Unloading a big yellow machine from a semi. Within an hour of the start time the old house was for all practical purposes gone.


There was a lot of noise, and a lot of dust.

He started at the back and soon I could see thru the windows and just that quick the back half was demolished.  I watched as it broke free of the foundation and started swaying back and forth.  But the demo man knew his stuff and it fell inward just as he had intended.

This was a large home and had 3 nice sized bedrooms upstairs,  a very large kitchen, one bathroom,  a bedroom down and a nice living area with a neat alcove. Off the kitchen was a nice sized laundry room.

And now it is a big old pile of rubble. The owner had moved out and more of less abandoned it years ago and the town finally condemned it and order the demolition.  I have very mixed feelings about this.  Yes it was an eye sore but also I think our town lost a little piece of its history when it came down.  Since I often share what is out my back door now you know what is out my front door. 

                                   And a picture of Miss Morgan.

Beware of Frog