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 |   A Journal to impart knowledge and facts |
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July 22, 2015 I'm going to start today to record on a daily basis whatever happens to strike my fancy. So, it is a very cool breezy day. I just posted 5 short book reviews to The Monthly Reading Challenge. I'm suppose to put away some winter wood today from the woodpile outside but I'm playing hookey from work to write so starting this blog will get done. I'm having a daily fight with a flock of English Sparrows that are trying to take over my barn. They are making a terrible mess so they have to go. I have destroyed several nests so far they don't leave but they get out of the barn when I am around. I'm just starting the fight so I guess I don't know how far I have to go to discourage them. I'm trying not to spread myself to thin on WDC because I find so many things that are interesting here and I am trying to work on a new story. I really enjoy sitting at my desk with a cup of tea and reading blogs on WDC. |
What would you do if you knew you could not fail?   Get a job earn some cash. Hire someone to properly finish rooms in my house. Two years ago we (K and I put a roof on the balcony, that actually works well. Now I need to put one on the back porch. We are still capable of putting it on but, I need to find the cash to pay for the materials. I could do this work if I could find the money for materials. I'm wondering if age is interfering with my urge to work on the house or if I'm just getting lazy. I'm still paying for the corn stove. And it works really well. We are considering a corn furnace in place of the wood furnace which is wearing out. It would be so much less work than wood and more heat. Lots to think about and changes in lifestyle mean decisions should be well thought out. You have no idea how much I went through, when I worked in the donut shop. Someone cut my brakes at one point. Yes. Cut the brake line. It's OK I learned to drive with emergency brakes on an old old car. Lots of other evil things happen to me. To long a story to tell. I'm thinking I should write my life story, might sell. Easier than working a job outside my home. Bought plants to grow for gardening yesterday. Also, the new Grow Box I bought arrived from www.aGardenPatch.com. I was looking forward to planting today. It rained. We need the rain to grow the hay so I won't complain. Anyway I need a day to rest and read. Rainy days were meant for just that. ![Merit Badge in Super
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Thanks for being a part of an excellent Western Caribbean cruise *^*Beach*^**^*Sun*^**^*Wave1*^*with Andre*^*Monkey*^*and the rest of us. It was a lot of fun. I didn't even know Andre could dance, until you guys showed us some moves!](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/Kudos-Super.gif) 😎 |
Write about your first _______. (You fill in the blank. Ex: first car, first job, first crush, first week at college, etc)   Subject: First week at college Enrollment: I had to meet with a counselor to make out a schedule. So, I took a test to find out what I was interested in. I was 55. So, I sat in front of a computer and answered questions about different subjects. Turned out I was interested in everything.  He said I scored higher in the test than he did, when he took it and no one had ever done that before. We sat in a large office and he explained how to make out a schedule and suggested some courses. I'm kind of vague about memories of the first week. I left the office with a schedule and then the rest of the week was finding classes and becoming oriented with college life. One of the interesting things I learned immediately was many students took me for a teacher, when I entered a classroom. One particular class I was enrolled in was to find out how well I would be able to integrate with a room full of other freshmen, age group 17 to 19. The class was a lot of fun. We would break into groups and the teacher would give us a job to complete as a group. At the end of each job was a question, answer, experience gained, type of conference with the whole class. After a couple sessions the kids started calling me mom. I thought that was fun. Along with the kids from church groups I led, I now had 30 new sons and daughters. Definitely easier to gain children this way than childbirth. Other classes I took the first semester, as a freshman, was writing and research, introduction to computers, basics of math, I think there was another one but, I don't recall it at the moment. Maybe my first health class? I took three. They were all in the basement of the gymnasium. This was the week to visit the campus police station to register your automobile. My daughter was still in college at the same school, so we had to make a schedule because we were driving the same car. I toured the library, one of my favorite places. It is really big, with many floors, desks in lonely places with pluggins for personal laptops. Remember no WIFI yet. The top floors were kind of spooky quiet, only one or two students working up there to keep out of the main flow. Everyone with laptops had dialup. I'm amazed, that just thinking of it makes it seem very low tech now. I bought my first desktop computer with college money. I had to learn a lot of things that had to do with signing up for classes and collecting money for books. Book store access was a part of the first week. Gaining a syllabus for each class, looking up reading assignments, figuring out how classes would progress. Just becoming familiar with how college works. It is a different world. I miss access to the college. I miss the panels. They use to run panels in one or another auditorium type rooms for free. They were on whatever subject professors wanted to speak about. I use to go to the college concerts. They were always free. My daughter played violin in the orchestra. I learned to drive around town pick up a lunch and park by the college lake to eat and watch the flock of geese that lived on the lake. There were always gulls from Lake Erie there begging for food. And learning the drive back and forth because I was a commuter for 5 years. Even now, I think it would be fun to be a college professor. Or, a forensic scientist, or an inventor, or a park ranger. or ?????? Keep on Learning!apondia#1781748 |
Make a list of your top five short term goals and a separate list of your top five long term goals. What steps will you take to achieve them?   short term 1. Finish today's blog 2. laundry 3. read 4. walk dogs 5. plant a container (all goals for the day) Laundry started, doing blog, possible thunder storm in afternoon so after blog will walk dogs. Laundry should be finished by noon, will read in afternoon. long term 1-5. Finish daily short term goals as each day passes. (way to accomplish goals--get out of bed and keep moving.) Tennesee Ernie Ford, "If the Lord is wiling and the creek don't rise" May each new day be your best yet. Heard this yesterday--"yesterday is gone, tomorrow isn't here yet, that eliminates every problem except today's"apondia#1781748 apondia#1781748 apondia#1781748 |
| Write about the most exciting, odd, or valuable thing you’ve found on the ground or abandoned on the side of the road. Invent a story about where the object came from and who owned it before you found it. Abandoned: I guess this would be my corn field dog who I named Cheech. Named after Cheech Marrin. Who played a detective in the Nash Bridges TV series. My dog walked out of a corn field on a fourth of July when our car drove by. He stood looking after us as we drove on our way to a store. My daughter and I agreed that if he was still there when we came home we would pick him up and take him home. He was still there. He was between one and two years old. A mixture of golden retriever and malamute, I think. I took him to a vet to have him checked out. His paws were flat and worn down from the black tops and being on the run. He had some malnutrition problems. I spent some time trying to find his owner then kept him for myself. I had him about 13 years. He was a treasure of dog. Protected me when I needed it. Took care of the other household pets like they were his special friends. Every pet I have had since 1975. Has been someone else"s castoff. We are having such fun with the dog I took in at Christmas. I never owned a Whippet before. The breed is awesome. Very intelligent and also a lot of fun to be with. He has lots of energy. As a new addition to the family he is going through stages. Since the weather straightened up in the spring he is trying on the role of dog alerter. He tells us as he spots each new species of wild life near the house. He even tells me when the neighbors are walking up or down their driveway. Which is more space, than a football field away and there is a line of fully folaged trees and brush between their driveway and our fields. Life moves on. Have a good day. |
| Write about a movie or television show you watched recently that blew you away. What lessons can you learn from the show and incorporate into your own writing? We didn't watch a lot of TV from about June of last year to end of March this year. In April 2021 we were bored and began to watch some CSI shows. We began to find shows that were not reruns so we are watching more TV at least I am. Last night "The Equalizer," was delayed by "60-Minutes Overtime," There was a complete overview of what actually happened during the Greenwood Massacre in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is a movement to uncover mass body graves, take DNA samples, and generally find out what history has to say about the massacre. It wasn't a coverup; more like people afraid to talk who just wanted to pick up life and move on. Since I personally had never heard about this tragedy I am posting a link: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/tulsa-greenwood-massacre-echoes-60-minutes-2021-05-... I guess the lesson learned is much like all the shootings in this country over the last 30 years or more? Can I use it in my own writing? Maybe not the facts but, the way some of the situations involved escalated into a total massacre of many blocks in the city could be used some day. This is a part of the history of this country. I'm surprised I never heard of it before now. So, I may try to follow the scientific facts of the situation as they are uncovered, moving forward. |
| Thursday, May 20 Day 4: Georgetown, Grand Cayman Grand Cayman is world-renowned for its pristine beaches, wildlife, and relaxed atmosphere. Lounge on the award-winning Seven Mile Beach, a paradisiacal stretch of sand on the island’s western coast. Take your family to swim with stingrays, dolphins, and turtles, or snorkel amidst tropical fish. Sample the local rum and take a moment to soak in the stunning Caribbean vistas all around you. Ugh, 86 degrees and 71% humidity today! Here's a list of refreshing cocktails you may want to try today: 8 Cocktails You Must Try While Visiting Cayman Apondia and Andre Cruising Around Actually, it was a great party last night. I found out Andre Dances. So, we had a great musical evening. Think a 76 year old woman and a chimpanzee cutting up on the dance floor. Negotiating the port was painful. So many people trying to get in for a visit all at once. I have to say there is a horrendous contrast between the green deciduous forests of Pennsylvania and walking around a heat ravaged tropical island. I like the buildings built with lots of stone and cement floors trying to maintain cool interiors. Andre played a game of seeing how fast he could climb palm trees and get back down, before I disappeared from view into one or another shops. Besides shopping I liked the display of caring for wildlife at the Stingray center and turtle center.and more dolphins to see. I always like turtles. I think it's because they live a long time and are very slow to act. Unless they are snapping turtles which are prevalent, where I live., Then, watch out for your hand if you decide to help one across a dirt road. Because or Andre's natural allegiance to alcoholic beverages we visited The Cayman Islands distillery. A very interesting place to learn how to's with alcoholic drinks. Did you know gin is inexpensive here because of an agreement of a sort with the UK. We still want to stop at the National museum. So, ta, ta, for now. |
| May 19, Cruising with Andre: Andre and I toured the Mayan ruins. This was fun for Andre because he could climb all over the ruins. We toured a Chocolate factory. Then I wanted to visit some tourist shops. Andre was happy with the frozen alcoholic content.I bought him a T-shirt with a map of the Island on it. I wanted to see the dolphin exhibits and laughed a lot as Andre could and did interact with them from the safety of land. Chimps are top heavy in water and find it difficult to keep their heads above water. So, I made him wear a float vest for safety. Lots of good pictures here. Back to the ship by four to get ready for a fun evening. I could use a rest now. Andre has a special suit for evening wear. Wonder what kind of dances he does. I guess the chandeliers in the ball room will get a work out tonight. Going to pass around one of the bottles of Honey Mead we bought yesterday. Is this contraband on the ship? I wonder. See Ya! |
Write about the most historic world events of your lifetime. How are they (or will they be) remembered? What will the history books focus on?  I was watching the parade on TV the day President Kennedy was shot. Saw the whole thing. I was in an apartment in Panama City when the riots started. Had to be carted out, and escorted to the Air Force Base with my 10 month old son by the Guadia National. I was watching TV news coverage the day President Reagan and Tim McCarthy were shot. Saw the action on TV. I was living in a trailer park and attending Women's coffee chats during the Viet NAM war. Most of the spouses were in Viet Nam at the time. The women shared facts about the war from letters we received. Our first hand accounts were often worse than any news story on TV. Was watching Televised coverage the day R. Budd Dwyer, 30th state treasurer of Pa. shot himself on camera. Watching TV coverage of Charles Whitman, clock Tower shooter, University of Texas, Austin, Texas. Watched attack footage of USS Cole on TV. I saw a lot more but, this is enough. I use to watch TV news now not so much. News on TV this morning was about another shooting I changed the channel to PBS so the parrots can watch cartoons. I have found for some good written coverage I can rely on an app, Smartnews, that has quick facts on breaking news stories or Newsbreak. I've read some really good historic accounts of violence that was perpetrated over the years. "Benghazi Under Fire" by Fred Burton and Samuel Katz is one. Journalists often write books with the real facts illuminated better than TV coverage. An honest account will avoid laying blame and just tell the facts as they were uncovered by the writer. On my way to Cozumel now. See Ya.  |
What is the most ridiculous or one-of-a-kind thing you’ve ever bought? Tell us the story!  May 18, 2021 I went to pharmacy to get 2nd covid shot. I think the health worker that gave the shot was very inexperienced. She aimed for my shoulder bone and ended up making my arm bleed. Otherwise, no problem. So, for the prompt now. I once bought a stick vacuum that was rechargeable. I've always liked to buy vacuum sweepers. This particular one worked well enough; it was just to small to keep my house clean without emptying the dirt out a couple hundred times per floor. I'm also inclined to buy jewelry that sparkles. Then, never wear it anywhere. I try not to impulse buy because there just isn't enough income to waste it. There are probably other ridiculous things I've bought but, can't think of more now. |
| May 18,2021 Apondia and Andre in Key West Captain, ever accommodating, put some of us on a shuttle to Key West before we left the states entirely. Who knows perhaps we never will. In spite of the difference of time and space we stopped at Key Largo as well. Captain wanted to stop at Keys Mead. Andre was most excited because it offers a tasting of special fermented alcoholic beverage crafted from Honey. We came away with a bottle and the ways to order on line. Next stop, Key West. (Um, yeah had to urge Andre back into the shuttle. Didn’t take to long.) We visited Shipwreck Treasures Museum on Duval Street and Mel fisher Treasure museum also located on Duval Street.It's a good thing the gold coins were in sealed cases. Andre was very excited about the shiny treasures. Andre went exploring. We found him on Green Street, Key West. He was visiting Fitch Finnegan's Maritime Museum. Guess Andre is a history buff. Back on Duval Street, Andre opted for the Banana Bar, then we also hung out at the Whistle Stop. Hung out literally, I mean Andre hung from the balcony outside and leaped around the high places inside. I did manage to stop him from hanging upside down over the bar. Captain has a way with monkeys. Andre raced him back to the shuttle when it was time to head back to the ship. I made Andre wear a life jacket on the way back. Tomorrow is another day. I’m looking forward to the buffets onboard tonight. Lucky me Andre settled down for a nap in his tree house once back on board. I managed a yoga class and a peaceful time in a lounge chair by a pool reading a book as night spread across the sea. What adventures await us in Cozumel? It's suppose to be casually safe from Covid. ![Merit Badge in Cheerleading
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Congratulations on finishing your [Link To Item #monthlyreading] goals for June 2018 *^*Bookopen*^*!
~Minja](https://images.Writing.Com/imgs/writing.com/writers/badges/general-Cheerleading-210.gif) Don't fall overboard! |
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