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Thursday, May. 9, 2024

2:48am EDT

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PORCH PONDERINGS

by QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Rated: 13+ · Book · Biographical · #2198921

Norma's Wanderings around a small section of Montana

Well, hey there!
Welcome to Roundup, Montana! If it's a nice day, we'll sit a spell on my porch and talk awhile.

"All the resources we need are in the mind.” Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President of the United States of America.

Another quote I find interesting: "Creativity is intelligence having fun." Albert Einstein

What's on your mind today?

Signature for use by anyone nominated for a Quill Award in 2020

Signature for nominees of the 2019 Quill Awards

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Show Recent Comments

10 Most Recent Blog Comments:

Schnujo is Late to Lannister

Apr 28, 2024 at 7:30am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

I know carpal tunnel can be really bad. My friend's son has it really bad. At only 21, his hands were already numb because his dad wouldn't let him learn to drive so he couldn't go to the doctor and his dad wouldn't take him. He's finally moved out and learned to drive. His hands are better after he got a different job, but he's still got issues.

Have you tried learning to do speech-to-text? I hear it's quite a difficult transition for some folks, but once you get it, everything is a breeze after that. I keep meaning to take a series try at it. I did a few sentences one day, just to test it out, but didn't get too far. I need to really buckle down. It seems slower because the words don't appear on the screen as fast as when I type. But in the end, I can talk faster than I can type and I don't have to wait for it to catch up after ever sentence. lol I do need to figure out how much I can talk before it loses the thread, though.

But then, when writing fiction, I have to stop and think a lot, so it will probably be fine. lol I just need to do it enough that I feel comfortable not watching the screen anymore. I hear that's the real sticky point -- watching the words slowly appear as you are talking can be really distracting, so they recommend you don't do that. I will for a bit, just to get a feel for things and to satisfy my curiosity. But hopefully, if I take this seriously, I can let go of that need with practice and really get going.

Hmmm...I know I talk a lot. And I can talk while doing things I can't do when typing like getting dressed or making dinner or whatever. I wonder if I could actually finish a project through speech-to-text or if being bored sitting there typing isn't the real problem.

It's something to ponder and play with. Thank you! As usual, you've helped me with my writing YET AGAIN!

You're the best!

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 28, 2024 at 1:37am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

schunujo I don't worry about NaNo or OctoPrep. I think that event is far enough in the future. I am bummed that I cannot garden this year. I've been typing and writing all this time with just one hand and three fingers so...

I am excited to get the pain level lessened. Then I found out from my daughter the other day that she suffers from carpal tunnel as well, but as is typical for her, she won't get it treated. The problem with that syndrome is if it gets too severe, you could actually lose total function of your hand. Now that is the worst case scenario of course. I am scared enough by that prospect, I'll endure a few more months of recovery pain to heal the problem.

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 28, 2024 at 1:32am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Kåre Enga in Montana

When are you arriving back in Montana? And which airport? I'll be tied up for a few days after surgery. But I think once my husband goes back east to get our car, perhaps sometime in May we pray, I could make a road trip.

1 Like

Schnujo is Late to Lannister

Apr 25, 2024 at 7:13pm
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Wow! You have so much going on!

I'm really sorry all of this is happening at the same time.

But I am super glad the doctor thinks he can fix you, even if you won't be good as new. But new things are too expensive anyway.

I'm certainly glad you'll be in much less (hopefully no) pain in the (hopefully not too distant) future!

I've also had times when a specialist told me I should have seen him sooner. Well, maybe if I hadn't been required to get a referral...

The surgery timing sounds pretty good with a 6-month recovery time. You'll be pushing it for NaNo, but I think you can do it. After all, I need my best cheerleader out there!

In truth, you have a big impact on my success in NaNo, but I could probably do it without you if I had to. Most importantly, I want YOU to be okay -- happy, healthy, and pain-free! If that means you miss a year of NaNo, so be it. YOU are more important.

QPdoll

Apr 25, 2024 at 6:00am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

and Kåre Enga in Montana

I hope you both can find transportation on Monday! Good luck to you!

Norma, it's good you have your surgery scheduled. I think you'll feel so much better with pain relief. My husband had carpal tunnel surgery and he is happy that his fingers don't go numb anymore.

Safe travels to you both!

1 Like

Kåre Enga in Montana

Apr 25, 2024 at 2:42am
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

I don't have to explain my trip back to Montana as you get the picture.

I've been stressed for so long...

I can relax at the hostel and in Seoul airport.

Need to arrange a ride home though...

I assume you'll not be available.

1 Like

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 25, 2024 at 2:05am
In response to "Drama"

Elycia Lee ☮

Try cutting back your plants. Then try dusting them gently. They breathe through the surface of the leaves.
I found this on Google about rubber plants:
Water when the soil is almost completely dry. ...
Spray with a mister every few days, they like to keep their leaves moist.
Place in a bright room, but keep away from super sunny windows to avoid sunburn Between 15°C to 25°C is their optimum temperature.

Kåre Enga in Montana

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:50am
In response to "Drama"

I should be in Missoula May 1st. Chance of 20° or 70° ... sun, rain, snow, tornadoes, earthquake, Yellowstone blowing up?

Elycia Lee ☮

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:02am
In response to "Drama"

I never overwater them, but I think I'm underwatering them. The leaves are curling. When I put them out, their leaves burn. When I wipe them, lines appear on them... I really wanna start over, but I don't know how to... My rubber plants bottom stem leaves have dropped. Only the top is growing. For one of them, their baby leaf hasn't been growing for over 6 months now... Sounds like you've got quite the green finger there.

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

Apr 20, 2024 at 11:00am
In response to "Drama"

QPdoll

It was good to be out and work in the garden. We were both tired after, but that's okay. Digging in dirt always helps. There is always dirt in our lives. We have to dig up through it to get to the shining world on the other side.

1 Like

January 30, 2021 at 10:19pm

#1003289

Grand Finale

PROMPT January 30th

Congratulations on making it to the last day of the competition! What was your favorite prompt from the last month? What was the most rewarding aspect of participating in the competition?

I think it’s a tie. I like the prompt about the books we liked. And the one about jokes.

The most rewarding aspect was reading all the different responses to the prompts. We are truly unique individuals. But that is what makes the world such a wonderful place. Everyone is different. Everyone has their own story.

3 Like • Comment

January 29, 2021 at 7:55pm

#1003210

A Tradition of Joke Telling

PROMPT January 29th

Write about something funny! Share a joke, recount a humorous story, or tell your readers about a funny experience you had.

I am a member of a community theater group. We perform in a community center theater that once was a school. It is rather an informal membership. The leader of the group contacts everyone in July.

“Do you want to be part of the show this year?”

So you reply, yay or nay. Then he assigns parts as people commit to performing. This is a unique, eclectic group. Some are farmers, ranchers, one lady raises goats, one lady is the postmistress of this tiny enclave (100 addresses), pastor of the community church, some retired people, a young mother who teaches in a small rural school, one fellow works for the highway department. Pretty much a cross-section of rural Montana adults. But one thing we all have in common is our love of the absurd, jokes, and theater.

After each show, it is the tradition to tell a joke after the curtain call. The jokes usually have to be slanted toward the subject of the play.

One time I played a telegram office employee. I had to deliver telegrams during the performance. I made the telegrams for the play. It was set in an old mining town. Silly melodrama, lots of fun.

My joke was:

“Did you know there are three ways to spread the news?
Why no, Norma. What are they?
Well, we have the modern telephone, then before that, there was the telegram, and then we have the oldest technology of all: tell-a-woman.”

It got a good response.

1 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

January 28, 2021 at 10:13pm

#1003133

The Longest Minute

PROMPT January 28th

We need your help filling the Challenge War Chest! In your entry today, write three of your own prompts and then use one of them to complete the rest of your entry.

The longest minute I've ever known.

Genetically altered vegetables begin to alter human consumers.

Whiz-bang snip-snap doodly-doo.

The longest minute I’ve ever known has to be time between having an MRI done and waiting for the results. I guess we could expand that to make it more than a minute. Make it about a half-hour.

So let me explain why I had this MRI done. I drank too much at a wake before a family member’s funeral. All I remember is a big house, lots of rooms, trying hard to be pleasing to all my in-laws. And wine. Lots of wine. Glass after glass of wonderful wine.

The ride back to my son-in-law's for the night I don’t remember. I don’t remember walking up the steps to bed. I’ve been told I tried to get into bed. But I hit the bed frame, hit the floor, hit the wall. All of this I did a few times.

Sometime overnight, I woke up with a bad headache. I went to the bathroom, looked in the mirror, wondered at what I saw. Back to bed I went with no further thoughts.

In the morning, again I saw my face and it looked like I had gone a few rounds in the boxing ring. Black and blue, swollen and red eyes. I was a mess. My grandchildren tried not to stare at breakfast. Hubby told me what happened. I remembered nothing.

We went to the funeral, no one said a word to me. They were being polite.

After a few days, it was suggested I go to the ER before I made the trip home on an airplane. This led to an MRI.

“Well, it seems you have a concussion.” That explained the ongoing headache, dizziness, and blurred vision I thought. But the doctor wasn’t done with me yet.

“And we also saw something else. We are pretty sure you have a brain tumor. We suggest you see your doctor when you get back home.”

My husband and I looked at each other. In a strange place, our entire world had now just spun off its axis. We were now going off into space on an unplanned journey into alien territory.

It has been many years since my surgery. I was grateful to have a benign tumor and a skillful surgeon. I’ve had no ill effects, maybe perhaps a bit of a personality change. But I think if someone goes mucking about in your brain, you can’t help but have a few neurons twisted and turned around.

I’m just glad to still be alive.

2 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

January 27, 2021 at 10:20pm

#1003027

Drawn and Quarters

PROMPT January 27th

What bit of trivia do you know that is very interesting but also very useless?

There are 119 edges on the side of a quarter.

While that is interesting, it is a very useless fact. But once I start thinking about this, why the odd number? Why not 120? or 200? I'm sure it is some math function that Robert Waltz

knows.

1 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

January 27, 2021 at 12:03am

#1002968

Free for All

PROMPT January 26th

Do you practice mindfulness or meditation? How often? On an average day, how often are you intentionally aware of your mental state and emotions?

I pray every day. I remember my family, my friends. Twice a day. It brings me comfort to bring them before God and ask Him to watch over them and bless them.

I guess I am aware of my mental state and emotions during the day. Today was an emotional day at one point. We had a free food distribution in town. The people who set this up had no real plan, so it was really a free-for-all. Then they got mad when people took more than they thought they should. Once again, if there are no rules, people will do whatever they think is right. Then they clamped down on one person for no real conceivable reason. Even went to her car and took out items she had taken there, took back items she set aside. Other people did the same thing and they did nothing to them. I saw this as unfair and was angry, told the folks in charge to settle down, the food is free. What is your problem? God is blessing everyone with this food.

Yep, I am aware of my mental state tonight. I will pray about this. But you know, you reap what you sow. I know that is a true statement. I have seen this happen in my life.

1 Like • Comment

January 25, 2021 at 9:48pm

#1002858

Thanks, Uncle Walter

PROMPT January 25th

Write about something antique or inherited that you own. Who owned it before you? Where did it come from? What’s its story?

I wear a beautiful ring every day. It came from my hubby’s Uncle Walter. It was his late wife’s engagement ring.

It is a unique ring shape - sort of a square gold with 11 small diamonds. 2 on each side and 9 across the top.

Uncle Walter was a great person. I met him late in his life. He was the brother of my husband’s mother. They grew up in Texas, at a time when they had a mammy, a black woman who helped raise them. He served in WWII, helped liberate a concentration camp. He met his wife in a hospital after the war as he recuperated from TB that he caught from the concentration camp.

Uncle Walter accepted me with no reservations. He was just glad I made my husband happy after an unhappy experience.

I am blessed every day to wear this reminder of a wonderful man.

2 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

January 24, 2021 at 11:37pm

#1002746

Memories

PROMPT January 24th

Write about your most memorable or unique teacher from the years you were in school. What made them so interesting and what do you remember about them the most?

I don't remember many of my teachers. But one of my high school teachers stands out. My English teacher - Mr. Pickard. He really fostered my love of writing.

At our 50th high school reunion two years ago he actually attended. I was astounded. He looked the same. So how old was he when we were in high school?

Mr. Pickard remembered me. He spoke to me for a few moments, actually sought me out to say hello. That meant more to me than visiting with old classmates.

1 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

January 23, 2021 at 9:39pm

#1002684

Knox Lake

PROMPT January 23rd

An epic feast is held in your honor - what’s on the table? Who’s invited? What entertainment is provided? (Feel free to be creative with this one! COVID is not a factor and you get to choose the time period and location for your feast )

So think I would send invitations out to a few selected people. The location would be Knox Lake, which is in the Beartooth-Absaroka Wilderness Area above Gardiner and Jardine in Montana, near Yellowstone. This area is remote, it is about a four-mile hike back from the trailhead. I think a wonderful steak cookout would be in order. I would have a helicopter fly in some chefs from the Food Network to do this. Steak and all the trimmings. Then send in the Great British Baking Show with that big white tent, they could do baking in the big flat meadow for all the guests. That would be dessert.

The guest list would be diverse. I am a Christian, so I am picking people from the Bible. First and foremost would be Christ, then the apostle Paul, Moses, and then Adam and Eve. Of course, my husband would be there. His mother's maiden name was Knox, so this lake's name has a special significance for us. I would also like my church family to be there. This gathering would attract a lot of attention, so whoever else shows up would be welcome also.

I can’t think of any better entertainment than sitting with the creator of the universe in an area of natural beauty and talking with Him and the original humans. Magical in my opinion.

2 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

January 23, 2021 at 12:48am

#1002642

Little Fires

PROMPT January 22nd

What books are on your reading list?

I just finished 'Lord of the Flies' by William Golding. I hadn't read that in some time, saw it in a donation at the thrift store. Have you read it? No? Shame on you. It's a quick read but makes you think: about rules, morality, society.

I also found 'The Scarlet Letter' by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I'll read that soon. You should have read that before as well. Do I have to tell you what that is about?

The one I am reading now is 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng. This is starting off well. I know the setting, Shaker Heights, OH. That is a wealthy area near Cleveland. I grew up NE of Cleveland in Jefferson, OH. I have also lived in a few such areas, Upper Arlington in Columbus, OH, and in Dublin, OH. The place we had in Dublin, OH was near a fancy golf course, Muirfield. You couldn't have a fenced yard, a clothesline, and some other rules I have since forgotten. It was quite a marvelous place, actually. Our house backed onto a trail/bike path. But we sold that house once we lost our jobs and bought the RV we traveled in for a few years. It just wasn't meant to be.

Now I live in a small town in Montana where just about anything goes. Multiple cars and trucks in the yards and on the streets in front of houses, some are in good shape, some are falling down. But I wouldn't go back to Ohio to live for any amount of money.

Queen Norma Jean

Like • Comment

January 21, 2021 at 11:03pm

#1002586

Well, darn.

PROMPT January 21st

What’s one thing you wanted to do in 2020 that you couldn’t do or didn’t get to do? Will you make it happen in 2021?
I won’t able to travel back to Ohio for my grandson’s graduation. I went back and forth in February about going. There is some tension between my son and me. Then in March, well, you know what happened. Darn.

Kaden didn’t have the traditional ceremony. But then, neither did most graduating seniors last year. But I was able to see pictures.

This spring I hope to travel to Ohio to see my mother again. I hope that my granddaughter can tag along. She has been texting Kaden for some time. So she would like to go see him in person. I will also possibly be able to see other grandchildren I've yet to meet, Kaden's siblings.

Strange how things work out sometimes.

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