It’s Fun Monday once again.
Our Host : The every positive and thoughtful Sayre.
Our Assignment:

What was the most touching, wonderful part of Christmas for you this year?
AND
What was the craziest, stupidest, funniest part this year?

Touching, wonderful part - FAMILY
Craziest, stupidest, funniest part - FAMILY

My tree - yes the constantia wire adds that special touch don’t you think?

And still I did not win ugliest tree - how is this possible? Well there is always next year.

For others contribution head back over to sayresmiles

FUN MONDAY - Random Acts

It Fun Monday time again

Our Host: The judicious and prudent lovely ladies over at Mommy Wisdom
Our Assignment:
1) perform a random act of kindness. Now, before you freak out, please read on. This is actually really easy!! This act may be for someone you know or for a perfect stranger. It can be big or small, it'll all up to you.
2) Then, blog about what you did and why. How did it impact the person(s) you did it for? And better yet, how did it impact you!? How did you feel after you did it? Would you do it again?
3) If you've had a random act of kindness bestowed on you (recently), we'd love to hear about it. How did it impact you? How did it make you feel?

1) I don’t have a good deed or even a act of kindness for this week unless you count not stabbing the “Old One”. My friend Debbiesue would say that counts but she is good, generous, my friend and knows what it is like living with your ever aging parents. I was home sick most of the week and unable to do my normal escape to work each day, and want a gold star or points or something for not stabbing him. But it really doesn’t count as a random act of kindness, thou I pretty sure it would be considered justifiable, my sister says she will testify in my defence but I still don't think not stabbing you farther count as an act of kindness, so I will tell you of the week before last , just after Thanksgiving. I’m in the garage crushing cans preparing to take them for recycle. Yes, I’m one of the great waste generation and I drive an evil SUV but I feel we should do our part, beside I turn the cans in for cash that is than donated to our local humane society, (This in not my random act this is a normal thing I do) besides they are always strapped for cash. So, I’m out smashing cans, seeing how for medical reason I am no longer permitted my elixir of life, know as diet Mt Dew to the rest of the world, I must now rummage to supply my can smashing addition and had to give up on my plans for my Christmas tree.

It only takes 485 can (two month supply) but no more Dew for me. So I’m left to foraging for my cans pulling the odd can from atop someone else trash, picking up litter, asking co-worker for they cans, it is amazing how quickly they comply, not sure if it is the odd voice (some have compared to that of Ozzie from Black Sabbath with better diction) “I Want Your Can” in lieu of I’m Iron man, or the stare, not sure. Hey, I’m being deprived you expect me to be Little Miss Marry Sunshine. Any way I’m in the garage smashing cans, I love the crunch they make, not sure but the whole can collecting could be just so I can smash the little cans, the power. I’m sure the head shrink would have something to say about my need for violence, but they’re all a bunch of overeducated, drug using whack jobs, beside they said I was sane enough to work in our nuclear field. When along comes the Pastor from next door, a nice enough man all in all and should get some kind of an award for all he and his wife do, no I don’t go to his church, but still like the dude he is non-denominational and for all the years he has been our neighbor I have never heard him say a cross word about anyone. He had a funeral and the church had the dinner but there was a lot of extra food, that the family donated to the local youth home (one of the places the pastor works, the church doesn’t give him must if any thing for a salary so he works besides all the time he donates, he even had his church assist in the local clean up that the group I belong to arranged with help from the county, that was in addition to them opening the social hall for our pot-luck after the clean up. As I said a good guy). Besides food should not go to waste and anything would be better that the institutional non-food they normally get at the home. So we pack the leftovers and head off to town in my SUV, see there is a reason for me to have an SUV and you don’t need to be a soccer mom. When we get to the home you can see the Charge Person is pleased but a little disturbed too. I questioned what the problem is, well there wasn’t enough of any one thing for everyone to have for dinner and it will cause strife. Caulking my head I say what, you just make a Sheppard’s pie, casserole, or pot pie, with some tidbit no big deal. (My Mother was the queen of feeding a large family on leftovers to the point you didn’t know they were leftover. Debbiesue, my roommate from back in the Farmington, New Mexico days can contest that I have some of my Mothers skills in that unusual department.) The Charge Person gives me this deer in the headlight look and says she has never heard of such a thing. Somehow they talk me into showing some of the kids how to make a Sheppard’s pie, but under my rules:
1. Five would stay and help me with making dinner
2. Five would set the table and come up with after dinner entrainment -TV was not acceptable, games or songs or a play their pick (they were playing host.)
3. Five would have to finish my chore of smashing the cans, so the pastor went an got my collection of cans for the task.
4. After dinner five names would be drawn to see who would clear the dishes and clean up without complaint. Those were the rules.

The kids agreed and when they found out what I was doing with the cans, the 15 without a task took to foraging for more can. They managed to amass more cans in a few hours than I had over months of collecting. I think they all had an enjoyable evening, the pastor says they did. The shelter got twice the donation they would have. It is astonishing how thing work out when we work together, did I do much no, just willing to help when asked, as was everyone involved.

2) How did it make me feel? I’m not sure as it wasn’t a planned act it just was, but it made me feel good that the kids all pitched in and helped and went out of their way to help collect cans for others.

3) Guess the collecting of can would count.
Well how is that for a story? You can read of other random acts over at Mommy Wisdom
Thanks for stopping by.

Good By My Little Bark

Sad time in Penny town - beside being ill most of the week yesterday we had to put down our much love Boarder Collie, Barkley. So today I will tell you the story of how I got Barkley. Barkley wasn’t the demon dog that the Joner was after all he was a boarder collie, whos sole purpose for living is to please. I was living in Texas working on decommissioning the Super Collider, yes that is some of the type of work I did for our government. Anyway I’m living in Texas on about an acre of fenced property with lovely pecan trees, reason for the fence. But when I rented the place I thought a 6 foot chain link fence would keep an Alaskan Malamute in, I was wrong. The local animal control officer (John) got to know each other on first name bases, I had work out a deal that in lieu of him writing me citation after citation, I would make a monthly donation to his shelter and he would just pick the Joner up and ride him around in the truck when he escaped, this he did often. I would make the repairs and adjustment to the fence that John felt were needed to keep a Malamute home. Well we decided that the Joner was lonely, Malamute are pack animals and maybe if he had a pack he would stay home. (Getting you pet a pet is not a good idea) But that was the game plan, so week after week I would go to the shelter and watch as John would bring out a puppy or older dog only to have it be scared of my Malamute. Malamute aren’t exactly small dogs, and there wasn’t an abundance of them running around central Texas, to the best of my knowledge Joner was the one and only and he did his best to roam the entire county, much to the chagrin of John and I. So one day I get a call from John, and he says he has the perfect dog for the Joner, besides he really needs my help, could I stop that evening after work. I agree so after work I stop at the house and load up my malamute to go and try yet another dog for Joner to scare. Well we pull in and John leads us into a room of these eight little fuzz balls. Three run away to the far end of the room and two cower behind John, two more swat and pee, and one brave little pup give a playful little bark and starts playing with this monster of a dog, as if that is the most natural thing in the world. I tell John yep I take the little bark, (Barkley). He give me these big sad puppy dog eyes and says he needs me to take all eight puppies. I explained I live in a rented house and I’m not sure how the owner would take to eight puppies. He somehow or another convinces me to take all eight and that the next weekend at the town fair he will see if he can’t find homes for them all. Joners was in heaven and by the weeks end all eight were playing with him, but it was still Barkley who would always be first. The seven other little fuzz ball would huddle together , Barkley would cuddle up to the big hairy malamute at the foot of my bed, as if he knew he was to stay with the Joner. John was good to his word and on Saturday we cleaned the little boarder collie pups up and got them new little colored collars and leashes and a wagon that we hooked up to be pulled by a Malamute with a sign stating “Boarder Collie Puppies in need of a Good Home“. By the end of the day John managed to adopt out all seven of the remaining puppies. If I had know how wonderful and easy Boarder Collie were (well compared to Malamutes) I would have been tempted to keep more than one. But Barkley managed to bring joy and love to my life since 1989 that’s right nearly 20 years, so it is time to let the old dog rest. He will be joining the Joner, and Reggie, and three of the brother’s dog out on the farm, in a spot that is make just for them with a brook, and a bench, and a lovely view where you can sit and reflect.

Dogs have given us their absolute all.We are the center of their universe, we are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the bestdeal man has ever made.?Roger Caras

FUN MONDAY - From the Hood

FUN MONDAY ONCE AGAIN

OUR HOST - The passionate, long suffering, but ever so idiosyncratic Ari from beyond my slab and Buddha .
OUR ASSIGNMENT -Tell us about your all-time worst Neighbors from Hell. You know, the family of Irish clog dancers who once lived in the flat/apartment above you? Mrs. Nextdoor and her banshee-like multiple orgasms? Mr. and Mrs. Hard-of-Hearing with their television on full blast? The guys across the street who set off 4th of July fireworks starting in March and didn't stop until the first real snowfall?

Now a lot of people pull a face when I say we live next to the Pope, (Their last name not “The Pope”). Carl is well know in the area as pretty much a curmudgeon and was most of his life, well all of my life anyway. But truth be know he is a pretty nice neighbor, even with all his fussing around. He is now retire, but every day he brings my Dad the paper, and the mail, he sweeps a path for him when it snows, and when his wife bakes any goods he always brings over a couple for my Dad. Besides if you ask there is little Carl wouldn’t do for you so I don’t think that would qualify. All in all we have pretty good neighbor some have there quarks, but I fear as kids we would have been the bad neighbors for a shear number.
But I will choose the up stair couple my first year at State College, I lived in an apartment on the third floor of a four floor apartment building, with two room mates, D Cupps - Denise and Miss Split Personality - Melissa. While we were all very different we all got along well, Denise was a throw back for the hippy 60’s and was always bring home stray people, Melissa’s personality changed depending on who she was dating at the time. By the second week we knew the whole third floor, most of the second and for the most part became extended family. Apartment doors were left open and depending on what you wanted to do would depend on where you could be found. All was going fine with our little extend family. Than one night about 2:00 am I was awoken by a blood curdling scream. I look across the room and Denise and Melissa are sitting up in bed. The scream again, Melissa grabs her robe and heads to the kitchen to call the police, I grab a baseball bat and head upstairs. Denise heads over to Jeff’s to get the boys and reinforcements. When I get to the top of the stairs I find the door locked, try as I might I am unable to budge the door, another scream. I run back to the third floor and up the stairs on the other side of the building by that time Denise and a few of our neighbors are with us, Melissa yells out that the police are on there way. We get to the fourth floor all is quite not a sound, no music, no water running nothing. Too quite, we all look puzzled at each other and walk down the hall. Than a loud moan as if someone is in pain. We trace it down to the apartment above ours 403. Knock loudly, again nothing, than that mournful moan again. We knock again, and nothing. Just as we decide to try breaking the door down the police show up and a high pitch scream again, they knock on the door, identify themselves and state they will be break the door down. Just as they are ready to hit the door with the ram the door knob turn an a sheepish young man opens the door. The police go in and do what police do in those situations. Later as we were all having a cup of tea to settle our nerves they stop by thank us for our concern and tell us it was just a man and his wife being passionate. Guess they could see the “you got to be kidding look” on our face and they stress again and tried to explain to a bunch of clean cut college kids that some are a little more vocal than others. Their attempt were met with more disbelief and settled for having tea and cookies with us as we joke around.
Denise being the sweetheart that she is even when as far to finding the wife alone one day and to make sure she was indeed ok, she guaranteed Denise she was and it was nothing more than a night of delight. Now all was fine again for about a month than one night in the middle of the night the screams again, we bang on the ceiling to let them know they are disturbing other, to no avail, well more screaming more banging than finally quite, the next night the noise again. The next night the screams again this went on for about a week. Now one of the thing you don’t want to do is deprive an engineering student from the little sleep they are afforded. We are evil, either know how or have friends who know how to rig things and we can get our grease little paws on what we need to accomplish the task. I hope the neighbors up stairs developed a taste for
bagpipe music but either way we never again were awakened in the middle of the night by the screams of the banshee.

Thanks for stopping by you can read the other FUN MONDAY player over at beyond my slab .

I will be away for the next week, trying my culinary skill over an open fire.

FUN MONDAY - High Times

It Fun Monday again and

Our Host: Our Beautiful ButteryFly Mariposa.

Our Assignment: High moments...in our lives! If you could share to us 3-5 high moments in your lives...this could be funny moments...the you can't believe you did it moments...the "I told you so" moments...or the times we asked the ground to go open and eat us moments! You need not write a book to explain them, the highlights will do.

I have selected four Ah moments to share with you and presenting them in order of their occurrence.

1. School daze - Needless to say I wasn’t considered the best student, in elementary school I had some behavior and learning problems. To the point one teacher after having me held back a grade, attempted to have me placed into the special education program, only stopped by one vice principle. He insisted that my IQ was far to high and that the difficulties were due more to conflicts with the teacher, and had me removed from her class. I figure my permanent record is full of a multitude of potential damming information, because when I attempted to get a copy of my school records, they were all happy and obliging until they had them in their hot little hands and then they were reluctant to hand over a copy. (I only need a copy of the immunization records and so a copy was made of that section and off I went on my marry way) Makes you wonder. Now my oldest brother loved to tease and joke not just me but everyone. So one day he was home visiting Mom and Dad when I came in from school, trying to tease me just a little he pick up the local paper who big new that day was a list of the honor roll students. Make a big production he shakes open the paper and in a loud voice let’s see where you are in here Missy and begins reading the name just above where mine would appear (they are place in aphaeretic order) then he get to my name. Yep there I was listed as highest honors, ah you got to love it when the tables turn.

2. Lets Play Ball - When I started College at a small branch community college, I decided to play volleyball for the school. Up to that point I played backyard, picnic, and for a church team, but never played any organized sports. Not only that I was at least 6 inch shorter than any of my team mates. I was doing it just for the fun and to burn some energy. I tried out and some how I made the JV team as a setter. I think I was too short for a spiker, standing tall a could walk under then net. At that time in my live a was a size 5, and had long hair down to my waist that I wore in pigtails. Just the look for your average 18 year old, not. The day the uniforms where handed out I had a computer class, so I got the only remaining uniform, an XL. One of my middle brothers would often come to watch us play, and to see the antics of his baby sister. As I adjust my shirt, my shorts, flipped my hair danced around and tried to set the ball for my teammates. He was convinced that I was doing physical comedy, and not necessarily playing volleyball, as did most of the fans. But we had a number of supporter, who would come and cheer us on and laugh. Now anyone who has ever played sports can contest that there are nights that the stars align and you can do nothing wrong. At one point the elastic in my over sized shorts broke I tripped fell and sure enough managed to hit the ball back over the net. Once the ball was spiked and hit me in the head knocking me over backwards into a summersault some how I managed to land back on my feet and the ball sail back over the net. It was one unbelievable play after another, but it was my night. I got my perfect game, and our lowly little JV team tromped the areas best varsity team and we had the seats in the bleachers in stitches, ah

3. Play Nice - It had been a few year since I fenced for PSU where I earn a varsity letter. Now I was not a star player but I enjoyed playing. I hadn’t pick up a foil for years, but decided to give the Beehive Games a try, the Utah state summer Olympics, as I was living in Salt Lake City at that time in my life. So I sign up, paid my entrance fee and was informed I the sole reprehensive from my county in fencing, therefore was in the finals and the committee wished me well. So I took a half day off work on the given weekend in June and made my way down to the other end of the state. I knew no one there I was on my own. I found the event and proceed to sign in. At that point so uptight want-to-be-preppy tried to insist that I could not participate as I was not a member of their club. I state that was not prerequisite, I was there representing West Jordan, and was not a member of any club. She said if I did not have a club that I had to be a member of the US Fencing Association. At that point I said oh, that this will work and a pull out my USFA card. She looked at the card and inform me that I would not be allow to participate as a novice. I informed her that I was in the open, not in the novice class. She than began to inform me that there was no way that her club would be outfitting me as they barely had enough weapons for their club. I said that was fine as I brought my own. She rolling her eye as only those the snobbish can, informed me that all weapons had to be cleared by a USFA approve armorer, I smiled and said not a problem and show her the underside of hand guard . She then want to know who’s stamp that was, I grinned and said mine, as I pulled out my USFA armorer card, let me knew if you need any help. I notice little Miss want-to-be was wearing an arm band, and I know it was kind of wrong but I would give other fencers pointers on how to beat anyone wearing one of the clubs arm bands. Well after the meet was over and the metal were collected, an old acquaintance of my college day came up to me with little Miss in his shadows. We exchanged pleasantries and he stated that his club didn’t do as well as he had expected and could I give his girls any pointers. Well manners and good sportsmanship would be a good start, I said as I walk away with my silver metal.

4. God - Now I was living in Utah and driving down to the State game I had to drive through Zion National Park. Zion National Park is very beautiful and you wind over the mountains. On my drive down I notice a sign pointing to the right saying Devil’s Backbone, about 25 mile and many turns later I notice another sign pointing to the left saying Devil’s Backbone. Now the pass would not be a short cut but it must offer a view, so on my way back home I thought I would take the cut through the pass, how bad could it be it was a paved road and signs on both ends. So as I approached the first sign I make the right hand turn on to a paved road. Well the paved road turns and bends and soon is a grave road that turns into a dirt road with hairpin corners a single lane, with one side a wall and the other side a sheer drop. After many miles on the dirt road it began to rain, and my car began fishtailing, in the mud. There is no where to turn around, and no way I could back up the miles to the last place to pull over in the hope I could turn around. I continue on, with more fish tailing, I’m sure at times at lest part of a tire was off the road. At one point I stop the car as my knuckles are white and pray, not that I don’t go over the cliff but that when I plummeted it would be to my death and I would not lay there in pain to days. I continue on and on. slipping and sliding I saw off in the distance a bridge an old rickety bridge that I wasn’t sure, if it would hold the car or not but I wasn’t going back, so around the bend and up the hill I went. Just as I approached the clouds break and the sun comes crashing out in a perfect beam of light, that makes the canyon come alive. The beauty was literally breath taking, I pull up and find a parking space and go and watch the canyon as the shadow shift and it looks as if tongues of fire are jumping from one ledge to cleft. It’s exquisite magnificence beyond words., well worth the trip and what to say Ahhhhhhhhhhhh. God is Good.
Thanks for stopping by . You can read over other player high times over at Mariposa’s Tales.
Again thanks

FUN MONDAY - Meaning of Life

It Fun Monday again and

Our Host: The courageous Misformisanthrope.

Our Assignment: to show that pice of jewelry or other item that hold great personal significance for you, and that your wear or keep with you every day. Show us a photo of your talisman, and tell us why it is so important to you.

Hints: Your talisman could be your wedding ring…or your lack thereof! Maybe it’s a bracelet or watch that belonged to a beloved relative or friend. Perhaps your item is significant in your faith, if you are of a religious persuasion, or maybe it is a proud symbol of your ethnicity. Maybe it’s something silly, that makes you smile every time you look at it! Maybe your talisman is actually part of you - perhaps you got a tattoo to mark a significant event in your life. I’m also thinking about our recent observation of Veterans’ Day here in the USA: Perhaps you have a loved one who is far away - in the military or otherwise - and you carry a memento of him or her with you every day.

Disclaimer: Please, let’s keep the photos and stories family-friendly. In other words, I do NOT want to see that piercing or tattoo you-know-where :-) Sorry, but them’s the rules!

Well I do have a couple of tattoos but they are not you-know-where, but on my left side

Now the first one was a very small hand made tattoo. When I was very young I believed with my whole heart that I had met my sole mate. I felt complete when we where together and as if some thing was missing when we were not. So one evening out around the camp fire sharing a bottle we became betrothed. I have allergy to most metal and a little ring did not fit our lifestyles so we gave each other a tattoo. A small lizard mine on my left side close to heart and my fiancé on the right to protect and love. Beside when we cuddled the two little lizards would be together. Now that explains the first tattoo.

Well as fates would have it my love passed away far from me doing what he enjoyed as I finished my college education. For a long time I want to do nothing more than to die. I had serious thought of suicide, but I could think of no way that I would not leave a body for someone else to clean up or a way that would not hurt those who loved me. I made some bad decisions, but I was fortunate enough to have some good friends and family who where there for me, be it three in the morning or dinner time with their family.

Time pasted and I grew, I knew that I would never again be able to give myself completely to someone else. Some may see this as a flaw and it may well be but it is the only way I could survive . It is not that I can not or do not love it is just a can not give myself completely again. It was time for me to move on with my life, so time to cove-up my little lizard. So I now have a little lizard that cover my other little lizard, for you see in my heritage the lizard with it sun-seeking habit is a symbolizes the soul’s search for awareness.

Now I’m not sure how but I seam to have a little collection of lizards, there are the two on my side, and I have a number of pins, and there is a bottle opener lizard on my key chain. They remind me that I still have work to do for enlightment or awarness or to walk in Christ what ever you would like to say.

Now that you have my sad story head over to Misformisanthrope and check out the rest this weeks Fun Monday participates.

FUN MONDAY - To those that Served

Our Host - The effervescent and luminescent Janis From Life According to Jan and Jar

Our Assignment - Since Next Tuesday is Veterans Day, Janis thought it would be nice to salute our Veterans and show our appreciation. Photo requirement of something pateriotic




First Picture - My Dad from before WWII (Bernard Francis)





Second Picture - Some of DaddyBoy's Ribbons

Third Picture - DaddyBoy at his 90th Birthday



Fourth Picture- my nephew (Bernard Francis Jr) Don't know that he counts as a Veteran as he is still in the reserves.



Guess Service to Our Country runs in the Family.



Thanks for stopping by now head over Life According To Jan And Jer for the rest of the FUN MONDAY Players.

Words to a Song

Kiss a little Baby
Give the world a Smile

If your going to take an Inch
Give'm back a Mile

Cause if you lie like a rug
And don't give a dam

You're never going to be as happy as a Clam

two point if you can guess the song and writer

FRIENDS

My "sister/friend", Chris has passed the cup to me...

It is amazing how friendships can be made through the internet and blogging. Chris is one who started my week attempts at blogging. I had been watching hers and one day wanted to play along with Fun Monday. Thank you, BA

Now along with this "award" there are just a few simple questions to answer, and here they are:

1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?

I have some from “childhood” and more as an “adult” all dear and different

2. What do you value most about your friends?

Have to agree with Chris on this one That's easy...simply, their friendship! Honesty, loyalty, humor...they're all a part of it, too.

3. Are your friends your sounding boards?

At times but I tend to keep some things to my self not always to the best ends, other I seek friend advice and support.

4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?

Laughter if I could only share one.

I will pass this along to "Lisa", "Robin", and “Ari“. (I won't hold it against you is you don't pass it on in turn! Just accept it with my love :) Each of you is special to me in a different way, and I enjoy each of you for just being you!

FRIENDS

My "sister/friend", Chris has passed the cup to me...
It is amazing how friendships can be made through the internet and blogging. Chris is one who started my week attempts at blogging. I had been watching hers and one day wanted to play along with Fun Monday. Thank you, BA
Now along with this "award" there are just a few simple questions to answer, and here they are:
1. Do you have the same friends since childhood?I have some from “childhood” and more as an “adult” all dear and different 2. What do you value most about your friends?Have to agree with Chris on this one That's easy...simply, their friendship! Honesty, loyalty, humor...they're all a part of it, too.3. Are your friends your sounding boards?At time but I tend to keep some things to my self not always to the best ends. .4. What is your favorite activity to share with your friends?Laughter if I could only share one
I will pass this along to "Lisa", "Robin", and “Ari“. (I won't hold it against you is you don't pass it on in turn! Just accept it with my love :) Each of you is special to me in a different way, and I enjoy each of you for just being you!

FUN MONDAY - A Wordy Story

The Host: Nurturing and sage Mommy Wisdom.

The Assignment: Is to write a story (true or made-up), poem, song, letter... whatever strikes you ABOUT one of the three themes. You must INCLUDE all 10 words. Wild cards words may be used in addition to or in place of the main 10 words.

Themes to choose from:

A visit by your mother in law

Bedtime Stories

Raising a Teenager

The words:

Ostrich, goosebumps, magazines, soup, cats, lethargic, noodles, tequila, doorknob, biscuit

Wild card words:

prehistoric, Jedi Knight, cactus, periscope, humor

It’s kind of humorous how memories work. Now I have been told the story over and over again how as a baby I had a yellow blanket that I carried everywhere. To wash it they would take it when I was sleeping and when I woke up I would go out and hold it as it dried on the line. Now I have no true memories of the yellow blanket, I do remember a cotton youth blanket with Winnie the Poo and as my make-believe friend I had an imaginary pet Ostrich, named Porthos - My brother thought the Three Musketeers was a perfectly acceptable bed time story for a three year old.

How my brother D became in charge of my bed time stories, I haven’t a clue. He was an excellent story tell he did voices, action, to the point I would get goosebumps. Some of the books he read where: “Three Musketeers“ as noted previous, but in my version Dartagan had a drinking problem, tequila was his drink of choose but it pronounced tokillya, in The Wizard of OZ with a witch was named Gertrude and she had a pride of lethargic cats , Pilgrim Progress with Jedi Knights a swamp with a submarine for up periscope, To Kill a Mocking Bird, I had a bit part as one of Scouts class mates, and Onion John”.

As I stated before memories work very strange and as a three year old it is skewed even more. For some odd reason both parents where gone, there was always one or the other of them at home so it had to be something important, like maybe their 35 class reunion. I don’t recall why they were going out, just that they where out. The only thing I remember is helping my Mother cover the shinny buttons to match the jump suit, she must have thought the gold button where grotesque so they were cover and I thought she was glorious where her hair done and makeup on. Brothe D was in charge of me. We had chicken with noodles soup and biscuits for dinner and then it was time for bed. I was looking forward to my bedtime story we were doing Onion John, and he was sitting in a bath tub, there were a lot of bath tubs in the story and funny thing happening due to all the bath tubs. But first I had to have my own bath, and we had to arrange Porthos’ bed , a nest in the corner of my room made of magazines by what I thought was a prehistoric cactus, it was just a really large mother in law tongue plant. And most important of all, we had to find the Orbious, Porthos’ egg. Porthos was a boy but he had an egg, and that made it all that more special. In reality the Orbious was nothing more than a crystal doorknob but it was essential that it be found and put in Porthos’ nest. The world could end if the Orbious was not in the nest at night. We were on the hunt for the mystical and magical Orbious , why Porthos hid the egg everyday and D and I would have to hunt for it every night I don’t know. But that Ostrich of mine did and it had to be found. It was doing the hunt when there was a knock to the door. Now D was only in his teens and small for his age, but to me he was a grown-up anyone over ten is a grown up to a three year old. But this was serious, no one knocked, and there were no parents in the house. Something was wrong something was very very wrong. There where men in suits and they where talking mean to D at the time I didn’t understand what they were saying, just that D didn’t agree with them and had ask them more than once to leave, they could return when his parents where home. They seem to insist on something, but I didn’t understand what was going on. I had found the egg but I felt my world was still coming to an end. I was afraid to go into the room yet I want to help by brother. Now at three I still didn’t talk, I had been an early walker but didn’t talk. Still something had to be done, and something had to be done fast. As quietly and quickly as I could I slipped outside in the dark and went and got the next door neighbor, some how or other convinced him that a gun was needed and that we needed to get back to our house. You need to remember I was only three, I think my brother is in real trouble, it is pitch dark outside and the neighbor lives close to half a mile away. But there we came like the some odd rescue crew, a 80 year old man with a shot gun and a three year old with a door knob, in footy pj's. I still recall Mr P words, “The boy said to GET! and I’m here to see that you GET!. D and I stayed up sitting and holding each other in Porthos’ nest till my parents came home and the world was whole again. He telling me over and over again that I can’t tell Mon and Dad because if I do the will never go out and have fun again. Who was he kidding I still didn’t talk so I was tell no one, but it was nice having him hold and comfort me.

FUN MONDAY - Love

I’m not at home this week so no lovely logo for FUN MONDAY

This week’s intriguing host is WoodlandMama

The Assignments: was to write the 1st paragraph of an unusual love story. Admied it is a little diffirent, but I too am look forward to seeing the results.

It was the back 2004 and we just move to Homestead the boys needed a little exercise so we all went for a walk around the pond. It was than and their the eyes first met. The beautiful Alli lounging out by the pond and my Scuffy haired boy, so badly wanted to meet her. He was new in town, with an older brother that in his mind got all the attention. He was smitten and try as he might he could not keep his eyes or mind off her. Every chance he got he would be out walking by the pond just to get a glimpse of the beautiful Alli

What do you THINK ??? the rest of the story

Well that line as from my supervisor's resume - (I was once introduced as a near genius at problem solving)

The man truly pissed my off, to the point I was going to quit my job -

It is a tough high stress job, but that is part charm - and I have been working for the same company for over 20 years. He on the other hand started less than a year ago. But he was just too much to deal with.

One of my co-worker showed me his resume and it was chuck full of generalizations and no statements. It was laughable

But that line reminds me of

Wilie E Coyote - Super Genius

The sad part of the story is I Spoke the site manager and told him I was on the verge of quiting on having to deal with these Super Genius and now have to talk to HR for a second time.

Logos

The Lizard FM Logos where gifts from Swampangle - here is the collection.



She did a great job on them didn't she?

FUN MONDAY - My Space

This week's Hostess the scintillating and curious Gattina over at Writer's Cramps
The Assignment - She just want us to show a picture of your blogging place ! Our room or bed or whatever space(s) or place(s) you have to write your posts, and she hopes to be able to see a lot today. Sometimes when she reads or writes a comment she trys to imagine the place where we blog friend are sitting right now but it is very difficult. So today she hopes to satisfy her curiosity

Well I hope I don’t disappoint-
The following is one of my shelves (don’t mind the dust) in four shots
Starting at the left:

Geo node and a desert rose - both given to me by a rock hound friend of mine
A couple of gator that a pick up because a friend likes them and they remind me of her (Beer Ass this one is for you)
There in the back Hat Pins more about them later

Next:

A lizard vase - a gift because people mistakenly think I collect lizards, just because of one tattoo and a tee shirt or two, ok maybe 10 or 20.
A lizard figurine given to me by one of my nieces she was about nine at the time and got it with her own money so I display it with pride.
The frogs who knows, they got unpacked and these is where the got set and they seam to fit well with the grouping.

Next:

The start of the K-9 shrine
Reggie Rue - this was the first dog that was mine and only mine. He was a Puli or part Puli one of those dogs that have mob like hair. Yes, once for Halloween I dress like a scrub woman and added a mob handle to Reggie. Only problem was we did this in June. It was just to family and friends but we all had fun.

Last:

There is a picture of the Joneser and Boo.
Don’t let the photo fool you - Joneser is laying in the bed of the truck and Boo as a puppy is standing up on the tail gate.
Joneser was a Malamute and Boo is a Boarder Collie.
I got Boo as a squeaky toy (thinking if Joneser wasn’t alone he would stay at home) for Joneser. Your pets should not have pets. When I would come home from work I would have a lovely little Boarder Collie sitting alone in the yard, and we would have to go out and find that bad Malamute. The other thing I learned is that Malamutes are very hard to train if they don’t want to be trained. Boarder Collie’s live to please. Both have/had their own charms.
Lastly more Hat Pins - many moons ago the family decide I needed to collect something. Fear if I did not pick something the next thing I know I would have a room full of Precious Moments.

So I picked hat pins: - thinking one they would have a hard time finding any; two if they did they wouldn’t take up much room; three I didn’t think they would need to be dusted. I hate dusting.

Well that it for this weeks FM.

Thanks for stopping by and you can visit the others over at Writer's Cramps

What do you THINK ???

First not mine so your honest opinion. - - - - I will give you mine next week.

I read someone resume the other day, they were looking for a management position in a technical field.

There was no higher education but what hit me was this line.

“I was once introduced as near genius at problem solving”

FUN MONDAY - And the Answer is....

The always exuberant Ladies over at Mamadrama are our host for this weeks FUN MONDAY and to quote for this week assignment
“Here goes:
Remember way back in elementary school when you had to do a report on James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States and you told the class all about how he was shot after only four months in office? You also remember that he recovered after a week, but doctor's continued to probe at the healed wound causing complications and resulting in his death almost three months later? Okay, we all knew that about Garfield, but you also remember that James Garfield could write with both hands at one time and in different languages.!!! Why do you remember that? Maybe for you it wasn't James Garfield, but somewhere in your past education, you picked-up some little bit of useless information that you've never forgotten.
What funny trivial fact do you remember that you probably should have forgotten a long time ago?”

This assignment could prove to be problematic - it seams I amass useless information to the point I have been accused of reading the answers to those trivia game prior to playing. Truth it only very select information I have. Can’t tell you who wrote a book or played in a movie, but all the natural history, yep sticks in my head.

So useless fact from school the average adult human head weighs eight pounds, and so d

oes a gallon of milk. So if you ever loose you head you can replace it with a gallon of milk.

Jug Head By Palooka Joe

Thanks for stopping over and please visit the other FUN MONDAY players over at

Mama Drama.

FUN MONDAY - the Bird? (She Dared Me)

The lovely and extremely talented Lisa of Lisaschaos.s is our hotstess this week and ask:

"What is one thing you would like to ask your readers? Come up with a question to pose to your visitors and throw it out there on Monday. As we’re all visiting each other’s Fun Monday posts we should answer the various questions we come across.or Show&Tell me about a bird, I’m easily made happy."

Here is a little bit of history and assorted other information : http://www.ooze.com/finger/html/history.html

Yes I took and easy way out but I was dared and tired.

Hope all is well with eveyone, will try and visit tonight after work but to get the rest of the player please visit http://lisaschaos.com/

So Sorry

Well Life is just a little too full -

Presently working 12 to 16 hours a day - with a two hour drive. (there is 14 to 18 hours of my day)
Planning the B'day party - expecting about 100 friends and family
Normal chores.

I to the point where I daydream about sleep and hot long showers

So please excusse me for my lack of posting I'll try to do better after the 11th.

THE FM PLAYERS

Next weeks Host - Irish Coffeehouse

THIS WEEKS FUN MONDAY PLAYERS

From The Planet Of Janet
Lisa's Chaos
Olive
aoj & the lurchers
alison - RDH Mom
Hootin' Anni
Arkansas' Songbird - Quarter Notes
Swampangel65 - A Florida Journal
i Post - Nine Acres: 20 miles North of Nowhere
Mama Rehema
Swampwitch - Anecdotes
Grand life
Susan's musings - A Slice of Life
Peter - Holtie's House
Molly - Return of the White Robin
Chrisb - Mscellania
The Food Snob
Ari 1965 - Beyond My Slab
Melanie - Our Happy Happenings
Hula girl at heart - Growing Older But Not Up
Sayre - SayreSmiles
Jan - The Prytz Family
Jo Beaufoix
Karisma - Karisma and kids
Equoni
Gattina - Writer Cramps
Irish Coffeehouse (Next Week's Gracious Host)
Tiggerlane
Robin - Pensieve
Heather - Heather's Recipes
Sandy - Myanderings-Myanderings

Faye - Summit Musings
Storyteller - Small Reflections
IamwhoIam - dungareesablaze
Keith - Becoming a warrior

Mary - Mary's writing nook

http://blogs.chron.com/mamadrama/ (thanks to Irish Coffee house)

mamalang

My 4 Kids

~Feel Free to Join in I post you name just drop a line ~

This week assignment: Let's hear about your favorite “Birthday”, it needn’t be your actual birthday just a "birthday" celebration. You can use one you planned, one you attended, one you crashed, just a fun time for this FUN MONDAY

FUN MONDAY - Today's Your Birthday

It’s FUN MONDAY time again are our host, that Symphonic IamwhoIam Oh wait that’s me so sorry.

The Assignment - Let’s hear about your favorite “Birthday”, it needn’t be your actual birthday just a "birthday" celebration. You can use one you planned, one you attended, one you crashed, just a fun time for this FUN MONDAY.

Well I remember my last B’day - I spent the whole day out with some really good friends, the type of friends that you know they have your back and would do anything for you. Not the type that would bail you out of jail, but the type that would be in the cell with you. We went out to the islands off the coast of Florida and hiked around the trails, (I got to see a naked gay man it was too funny). After lunch we spent some time exploring an excluded beach. We ended the day with a lovely late night dinner, that shortly after dessert I puke up. (NO I Don’t have an eating disorder I just can’t eat too much or too fast and I ate way too much way too fast). But still it was one of my better Birthdays. Chris and Ana I love you guys, you to Sue even if you could come down and play that day.

As a kid we didn’t celebrate B’days much there would be a cake, and the tin of used candles would be brought out and the B’day boy/girl could blow out the candles. As for gifts Mom would often get you a little gift and say it was for your birthday, like a new pair of shorts in June, my Birthday is in Nov. but that was no importance the shorts in June were for my Birthday.
There are a few Birthday our family celebrates, your 7th. No idea why. You have a big party with all your friends. I still remember bits and pieces of it, like the marzipan berries that my Mother and sister made for the day, they were too pretty to eat, but they were so very good once you did. One berry was place on each of the cupcakes. There were games and more goodies, and everyone who attended got a little gift bag to take home, it was a good but buzy day and I was tired of being a host long before everyone left.

The other big Birthday is the big 30. I was working in Albuquerque, NM on mine, one of the few times I was working in the office and not in the field. I wasn’t thinking much about my B’day, just another day at the office. First along come the Florist, I think nothing of it “one of the clerks getting flowers from a Boyfriend“ - nope Flower for me, by lunch I had close to a dozen bouquets. The Family had also arrange for a cake and lunch for the entire office. Now all this attention isn’t really to my taste but you see the family was excited. On my Dad’s side of the family you either die by some strange accident before your 30 or you live for what seams like for ever, and as the youngest it was a day of celebration that I had now joined the group that would most likely now see my 80th, 90th and possibility 100th , despite my best efforts in my youth. My Farther is celebrating his 90th and he has still has one aunt alive, and his farther live till he was 80.

Side note I do believe if asked my age I will say around 55 - it isn't quite a lie just depends on how you round, and this way they will say dang you look good for 55.

THANKS FOR STOPPING BY and I hope you enjoyed your FM
Please visit the other you can get list of other players at the post above.

FUN MONDAY - SIGN UP HERE

Okay, I got tagged, I mean, volunteered to host next week’s Fun Monday, July 14, 2008.
What was I thinking? Oh I just wanted to see what adjectives you would use to describe me.

The next assignment if you WISH to take it on is:

As of late I have been consumed with preparation for my Father’s aka “The Old One” Birthday, he will be turning 90 on August 8th and we are doing a family reunion, expecting about 100 people in all. So for your assignment lets hear about your favorite “Birthday”, it needn’t be your actual birthday just a "birthday" celebration. You can use one you planned, one you attended, one you crashed, just a fun time for this FUN MONDAY’S assignment, and of course you can use one of your very on Birthdays.

**NOTE** Let me know in the comments that you want to play and I’ll hook you up. Also, leave a note if you’re interested in hosting the next FM really need a volunteer here.

Sorry no fancy sticky post maybe some day I’ll learn how to do all that fancy blogging

Following are brave souls have already signed up for next week's FUN MONDAY:

1. From The Planet Of Janet
2. Lisa's Chaos (STS Second to Sign)
3. Olive
4. aoj & the lurchers
5. alison - RDH Mom
6. Hootin' Anni
7. Arkansas' Songbird - Quarter Notes
8. Swampangel65 - A Florida Journal
9. i Post - Nine Acres: 20 miles North of Nowhere
10. Mama Rehema
11. Swampwitch - Anecdotes (How about Beef? Beefcake that is)
12. Grand life
13. Susan's musings - A Slice of Life
14. Peter - Holtie's House
15. Molly - Return of the White Robin
16. Chrisb - Mscellania
17. The Food Snob
18. Ari 1965 - Beyond My Slab (Oh so Polite What's Up? did the Meds kick in?)
19. Melanie - Our Happy Happenings
20. Hula girl at heart - Growing Older But Not Up
21. Sayre - SayreSmiles
22. Jan - The Prytz Family
23. Jo Beaufoix
24. Karisma - Karisma and kids
25. Equoni
26. Gattina - Writer Cramps
27. Irish Coffeehouse (Next Week's Gracious Host -Thanks for vollinteering)
28. Tiggerlane
29. Robin - Pensieve
30. Heather - Heather's Recipes
31. Sandy - Myanderings-Myanderings
32. Faye - Summit Musings
33. Storyteller - Small Reflections
34. ~Your Name HERE~

FUN MONDAY - Fish Stories

It’s FUN MONDAY time again are our host, the joyful and introspective Olive, and I have the privilage to call a friend.

The Host - Olive from UR OLIVE

The Assignment - Olive would like to hear about your *whopper* of a fishing story. Yes, you heard it correctly whether it is fictional or non fictional she want to hear a fishing story from us. An example would be if you catch a minnow and tell it that you caught a swordfish (exaggeration is the operative word here). Did you hear me say show your photo(s)? Of course you did – be creative.

Way back in the late 70’s I took a few extra class and got that HS diploma a semester earlier. Since I was 13, I had been working under the table at a local grocery store. Well really not under a table, but off the books (too young you know) so when I turned 17, I went to the Flo (cashier manager) to see about getting a job (Cashier seam like a glamour job, I stock shelves, picked though fruit, and got to clean the butcher shop. She Flo informed me that I was too young. I told Gig (my coworker to let Sullivan know, If I wasn’t good enough to work on the book I wasn’t good enough to work off the books either and I would find another job). Well before I made it the 500 feet to the house Sully and Donnie had both called to get me back. But I needed a change, made nice with the owner, of course it may have help that I called him Uncle Sully (though he was no blood relative, and that I knew him and his wife since my birth.) Also at one time or another we all worked at the store including my grandfather who was a meat cutter, for a short time because Sully needed the help. So, I knew if I needed a summer, part time, or holiday job there would always be one at Pechin's

The prices featured here are in cents. The picture is NOT doctored, and it's from 2006 (notice how they call them Freedom Fries?) This menu was on the wall in Pechin's Cafeteria in Dunbar. They opened about 50 years ago. Unfortunately, the whole shopping strip (all of it Pechins) this place burned down last year, shortly after Sully died. When I work there the special was 69 cents (veg. potatoes mashed, and a meat usually meat loaf or Salisbury stake (other than the shape I couldn’t tell the difference)) We thought it was great fund to wear T-Shirt Pechins 69 cent special - I was too naive to get the double entendre.

So I needed a change and my sole mate (or so I thought at the time) got a job in Oklahoma as whitewater guide on the Arkansas River, for the summer. So what was I to do. Infer (never actual saying what I was doing) I was head off once again, to one of the numerous summer camp that my parents send me to year after year. (Could be as a kid when I was left home, to play for more than three days, there would be an emergency room visit or that they just didn’t like me.) In my parents eyes, I have never aged past 1. Summer camp was a staple in my life so they would not imagined, anything diffrent. So with sleeping bag in the trunk off I headed to Oklahoma to be with Jesse. (Insert Hearthrob here.)

Now I figure I would get a job as a camp cook, or supply boat something on that order. I did have the charm and smooch that Jesse did but I was a good hard worker and didn't think there would be a problem finding a job. There wasn’t, the company that ran the whitewater rafting also ran a ranch. A sheep ranch! Yep a sheep hearder on the Manasha Ridge. So after me physical and dental appointment (they want you to be in good health, there are no sick days watching sheep eat), I was set up to my camp. This could be why I hate camping to this day. All summer long this was my home.

My wagon was not this nice and I don't think it was any where this big.

There was a lot of quiet and a lot of time to think. My job was pretty uneventful, just me, two dogs, (they knew the job better than I did, if they could use the bag phone and get their own kibble there would have been no use for me at all). The sheep were newly sheared and given the shots etc. all clear for a nice long uneventful summer.

My highlight of the week was when Jesse came on his day off, (Mondays and Tuesays)bring fresh meat and real vegetables and fruit (else both were canned I hate canned peas and never could eat canned meats) Once a month I would get three days off and on these days I would meet Jesse and we would go be tourist. I was starved for people and he just wanted to get away from it all (his job required him to deal and play nice nice with people all day long) so we would usual go out with a group of friend to an out of the way place meeting both our needs. It was on when of these excoriation. Jesse, I and a few of our friends head over to Paul Valley. Paul Valley, “Action Figure” capital of the country maybe even the world.

AZRAEL

When his father died, college student Jean-Paul Valley discovered a secret legacy: he was the last defender of the secret Order of St. Dumas, a religious sect that split from the Knights Templar during the Crusades. When he donned his special costume and gave in to the System, the psychological conditioning program he had been subjected to since an infant, he became Azrael, the avenging angel. Batman chose him to use his skills in support of the war on crime, but when he went too far, it led to a confrontation between Batman and his replacement. Never trust a grown man into action figures

So after viewing the muesum, we headed out onto the water, for the boys to try their hand (pun intended) at NOODLING (video not for young ears or eyes). Noodling is a testosterone driven activity and something no sane person would do. But wait, the same maybe said of whitewater rafting and I loved the rush that that gives you. Well the boys were all playing in the muddy water as Helga and I were sunning ourselves on the boat. Well it was hot and I was laying on the boat not real thinking and the boys were all playing in the water. So I lazely dangle my hand/arm into the water. Wam the next thing you something has grab my arm. I did want every red blooded American would do. SCREAM and yank my arm out of the murky water. What should I see but a 30lb catfish dangling from my arm. Jesse, and the other boys all swim over and assisted in the abstraction of my arm from that fish’s mouth. Can you believe they wanted me to eat that monster, sorry there isn’t tequila in the entire state to get me to play that game, I stick with some good BBQ.

That’s my story and I sticking to it.

Thanks for stopping by so for other Fish story head over to UR OLIVE for the rest of the stories.

FUN MONDAY - Quirks quarks quarts

It’s FUN MONDAY time again are our lovely host, not just in body but in sprit, is Lisa over at Lisa's Chaos. I know her best as, the “Bandit” with a bow.



The Host - Lisa from Lisa's Chaos



The Assignment - Lisa would like to what our quirks are. A quirk is defined as a peculiarity of action, behavior, or personality; mannerism. We are all unique individuals, having quirks that help make us who we are. Confess to one, confess to ten, you decide. Just come back Monday ready to spill the beans, the rest of the world may look at you like you are from Mars, but you‘re among friends here. We won’t laugh, in fact that eccentricity just may endear you to us more.



The first thing that came to mind when I heard about this weeks FM is a game the Fencing Team played. Yes, I fenced back in the day. No, not barbed wire or chain link. You need to realize in fencing you spend a lot of time starring at you opponent. Anyway we would play game (sort of on the order of charades’) who am I. We would imitate another fencer and say “Who am I”. What was funny about this game is if we pick someone from our own team - they almost never could identify themselves, the rest of the team would just howl. I think we can see other quirks much better than we can spot our own but here goes - for I do like to consider myself unique and special.



1. I can’t spell - this is no secret. I am well aware of the fact, I can’t spell. If it weren’t for spell check you wouldn’t have a clue what I’m writing about. As it is you only have to decipher the occasional wrong word, deal with the wrong tense, and the complete lack of grammar. I don’t punctuate either, well I try but I’m sure in the wrong spots. It seam to be a running gag among my friends and the source of great amusement.

2. I like points completely useless point they don’t have to be connected to any prize or game just points. I see them as hugs without all that touchy feely stuff. But I wonder if I also see them as I kind of approval? Or if it is my completive nature rearing it’s ugly head? I realized I had a problem with this when my mother passed away back in 2000, and I was competing to have the best flower arrangement in the cemetery. Every week I would drive over and check the graves, I had to change out the flowers every month, and would be completely crushed if someone some one visited the grave and didn’t say how nice the arrangement was. I was joneing bad. Can’t recall the exact time I realized what I was doing, but it wasn’t till after I had a real chance to morn my mother‘s death. I still go and change out the arrangements (when I’m in the area) but I try and put flowers out that my mother would enjoy and I no longer feel this need to win.

3. I kick my right foot when I trying to fall asleep but can’t. I realized that the entire family is aware of this quark as one of the great grand babies was put down for a nap and he was kicking is right leg, and everyone thought it was so cute he was imitating Great Auntie. Brat!

4. I blow air up into my face when I frustrated or over stressed. I also sometime make motor sounds for the same reason.

5. I use the term “I’m going to kill” or “stab you” when I reality I’m not. Well at least not kill you. But my sister has taken all the knives out of the house to keep me from stabbing the “Old One”.

Truth is I think he is going to break her before he does me.

6. I asked a friend what one of my quirks were - he said I was too nice. I think this is BS but I need to get to 10 so that I can get all the points and win. LOL

7. I regular carry on conversation with myself in my head and do simple math problems, some time at the same time.

8. I check out shopping carts - I fear I will become a bag person and want to be prepared. Lowes is the present winner but Sam’s club is running a close second.

9. I ask another friend and all she came up with is I can’t spell - yep know that one.

10. I don’t really have a number 10 just including it thinking by now you have gotten tired of reading this blog and will give me points lots and lots of points.

Thanks for stopping by - now go a check out the other quirky people over at Lisa's Chaos