Feeling Snarky

Just a little ring to let you know that the odds are looking very good...you know, whatever that may mean.

Did you watch the opening ceremonies from London last night? Oh my. I suppose that such events must be very big, complicated affairs. I don't think I understood a lot of it. Must be that I am growing old. In fact, the last Olympic Opening Ceremonies that I truly enjoyed were in Atlanta—1996. Now that was awhile ago.

Added to my lack of understanding was the fact that NBC went to commercial every four to six minutes. I was ready to tear my hair out as I had waited so long to see the USA and those much maligned outfits. They did look pretty awful. Did you notice how large that Ralph Lauren logo was?  Bet that there were a lot of fashion savvy athletes who were not impressed. My kids would never wear such an outfit with a designer logo that huge. Well, that's what happens when the outfit is a gift from the designer and made in China.

Okay, that's enough of snarky. I need a cup of coffee. Hopefully, the excitement of the games will more than make up for the opening ceremony.

Do you enjoy watching the Olympics? Have a favorite? Mine is synchronized swimming I kid you not.

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Are Bloggers Narcissists?

Five years ago, at this very time of day, I began what has turned out to be one of the biggest adventures of my life — I posted in this blog for the first time. That was 1,414 posts ago.

What's up with the title? Well, on that first post, I described myself and you, if you blog, as narcissistic. Blogging=Narcissism was my belief. I might hedge about that statement today for I have learned that the great majority of bloggers are the most generous, helpful, creative people I know.

In times past, I would have said "know" using quotes. I don't bother with quotes anymore because I feel as if I know many of you better than I know some members of my own family. It is a privilege to visit with you and to learn more about your life, your corner, your family, the way you cook, create, and dream. I have been especially blessed by those who openly share faith and values and what the Lord has been teaching you.

Let's talk about creativity for a moment. I used to say that I didn't cook, bake, knit, crochet, sew or go (anywhere). I just pretended to do them here. I can not say it anymore. Initially, I may have tackled more projects so I'd have something to discuss, now I really do all these things and I enjoy them. Immensely. And I owe it to blogging and you who read and link and pin and visit over and over again.

~A Sampling~

If you've been reading here for any length of time, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. If you just showed up today, thank you for taking the time to read this post.

To my oldest and dearest blogging buddies, I hope for more years of blogging — five more? (By then, I'll have used up all my Picasa space and will bid a fond farewell.) Speaking of which, how long do you think blogging in general will continue? Do you ever give a thought to how long you will blog? 

No farewells today. I thank God for the joy of blogging and for the joy of getting to know you better.

(This is a secret giveaway open to all bloggers everywhere. A comment is the key—no hoops to jump, no word to get out. A winner will be announced tomorrow afternoon at this time. Shhhhhh...)

ETA: 3:41 Saturday 
Comments are now closed...
Winner to be announced soon.
Barbara at Two Birdies and a B! 
Edited to Add: Barbara discusses her win *here.*

A warm thank you to all for the lovely comments and for participating...

 

Grocery Store Find

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may...

I was standing waiting to pay for my groceries when I noticed the bucket of flowers on the end of the belt. "Are those roses really only $2.99?!" I asked the teenage clerk.

"Yes, but don't get those. They're not as fresh. There is a beautiful bouquet of watermelon red roses on the other register."

She eagerly skipped off to grab the bouquet she was talking about. Now they were lovely, but not quite what I had in mind. I tried to explain, "Those roses are fresh and perfect and uniform and these are growing old and shabby and have layers of depth and color." She looked a bit crestfallen. Then I encouraged her to buy them for her mother. She said, "Oh, I've been thinking that I should."

Here are mine...

~Old and Shabby with Layers of Depth and Color~

And somewhere in town, I hope that a bouquet of watermelon red roses sits on a mother's table — a gift from her teenage daughter.

Chatty Little Let's Tie Up a Loose End Post

It is 7:01 in the morning as I begin to type this post. This is a test to see how long it takes me to fire one off.

No fleas in my bed this morning. Thank you so much for all the good advice. I have started to employ some good tips. I'm especially concerned for poor Molly as her skin is already dry and so her weekly bath is all that she can tolerate. I've made up a little squirt bottle of lemon water, which I hope will eliminate some discomfort. Ahhh the unique aromas of vinegar and lemons fill the house. =D (Good heavens! It's 7:07.)

I've already been out to water three areas in the front yard this morning by hand carrying my half gallon pitcher. I can't haul that hose around again. It is an unwieldy snake of a thing. Three pots down, five more to go. The morning glories are not as vigorous this year as last —I am blaming the hordes of Japanese beetles.

Don't know if you were without Site Meter for three days over the weekend; I was. When it came back, you'd have thought that I had just installed the thing instead of five years ago. I followed everyone around and peeked through the bushes at where they were and how long they had been there and just what it was that they wanted to see. It was that way that I discovered once again what I've always known...I rarely tie up loose ends. I probably have a hundred or more, though I'll solve just this one.

The farmer boy plates needed a rack. Fascinating what? (Ackkkk...7:16!)

They have one now. (7:21 and coming in for a landing!)

Any loose ends at your place?

And to Top it All Off...Fleas!

"I had a little bed mate this morning," I said to John.

"The cat?"

"Noooo, a flea."

"What'd you do with'im?"

I demonstrated with my pointer and thumb pinched together.

"That won't kill one."

"I know. Then I got the bottle of alcohol and a tissue and wiped him into that. Then I flushed him down the commode."

Overkill? I don't think so. It's a terrible summer for fleas — something about all that rain. The dog and cat are on their second *very expensive* treatment from the vet and the house has been bombed from top to bottom. My bed mate must have found a safe harbor during the blitz.

This means war except I can't treat either pet for another three weeks and I can't bomb the house again for another few weeks. I know all about vacuuming often, but what else can I do? I've been Googling and have found all manner of homeopathic remedies, though I'm wondering if one of you may have the definitive, yes-it-really-works answer. Oh, and just so you'll know. Neither pet is an "outdoor" one. The cat never goes outside and the dog only long enough to "go." I have treated the yard a few times as well, but it doesn't seem to be working.

***

I'm working to keep my sunny side up and am really helped when you share a funny story. John and I have laughed so much over Happyone's Sunday post that I have to share. No reason for you not to be giggling, too.

Have a great Tuesday...

Visiting the Marsh~Mosaic Monday

It was fun to be on the road again a few days ago taking a day trip for the first time in ages. John drives; I take photos. Yes, we did stop at the frozen custard stand. If you ever make it to my corner, this is a must stop.

This is Scarborough Marsh just down the way from John's boyhood home. He has some stories about the marsh including that the TransAtlantic communications cable was buried/is buried in there. I don't imagine that it is as important today as it once was.

Just some silly photos taken while the car got a good scrub. Love the colors.

Thus ended our day...

Please join Mary at Little Red House for more wonderful mosaics!

Psalm 11:3

~rotten gate and crumbling rock wall~

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? 

~Psalm 11:3

Is Christ our hope, our consolation, our security? Then only through Him will the soul be carried through all its difficulties and conflicts. ~ Matthew Henry