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Thursday, May. 2, 2024

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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 going to 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 going to 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 going to 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 going to 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

May 31, 2021 at 12:55pm

#1011057

Great Fun

I cruise Facebook - doesn't everyone? I like to see what is happening in Gardiner, since I lived there for about a decade.

Seems I missed a fun time yesterday. They held the annual Testicle Festival near Gardiner in a wide spot in the road called Emigrant.

Rocky Mountain Oysters were served. If you don't know what those are, let me know. I'll fill you in.

https://www.facebook.com/events/2844453595817878/

2 Like • Comment • View 4 comments

May 30, 2021 at 11:09am

#1010995

Adieu

PROMPT May 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?

Well, thank you! I think the most rewarding aspect of the competition is the interaction of the participants. As I read all the entries and then comment on them, I learned a little about everyone.

Some took the prompts literally, some took creative license. All were quite wonderful.

Now, the favorite prompts. They were all good, maybe I noticed a few repeats. But I picked out two I liked.

May 18 - the one of a kind item. That was a good one.

May 27 - your first _____. I took it a different way. I did my last _____. That’s me. Do something different.

Last night I watched ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ on Montana PBS. A movie from 1962 by David Lean, an amazing, true story of an unconventional man. The cinematography, the sheer amount of actual actors; no computer magic here. All those camels are real. All the people are actual people.

https://www.cliohistory.org/thomas-lawrence/akaba

So it reinforces in my mind that it is okay to be your own voice. This film won many awards. Deservedly so. Perhaps my writing won’t win big awards, and that is okay. I will stay true to myself.

Til next time 30 DBC.

5 Like • Comment • View 5 comments

May 29, 2021 at 12:40pm

#1010967

Don's Artwork

PROMPT May 29th

We need your help filling the Challenge War Chest with new prompts for future rounds of the 30DBC! Write three of your own prompts and then use one of them to finish the rest of your entry.

Aha. This one again. Okay, I have to admit. I have a book titled “Creative Writing - 300 Writing Prompts” that I got from Barnes and Noble a while back. Seems like a wise investment. Is this cheating? Perhaps. But I am writing, not cutting and pasting. Numbers 1 and 2 are from that book. #3 is my own.

So here goes:
1. Have you ever spoken up when you saw something going on that was wrong? Were you scared? What ended up happening?
2. What is your favorite work of art? What do you like about it?
3. An incident happened. Describe it from A. The person involved. B. A bystander.

I choose #2. I have answers for #1 and #3, but I think #2 is cheerier.

We have friends named Don and Deb. He and his fiancee live in Massachusetts. Don is a lawyer, as is Deb. They are photographers we met while managing that motel in Gardiner. Wonderful, down-to-earth folks that we just bonded with over the years. Don takes really good photos as a hobby. They will go to Yellowstone a few times over a summer, stay for a few weeks, get up before dawn, stay out all day, get back at dark.

I have a T-shirt with a wolf on it. Don gifted that to me one year. Don took that picture. He also gifted us a set of drink coasters one year. The set of four has different animal portraits on them. He took those shots. Very nice.

We also have a wonderful framed picture of owls. A great horned female owl with owlets in the hollow of a tree. Perfect picture because you have to really stop and concentrate to see the baby owls. They are so perfectly camouflaged. Don got the right shot at the right time. Then he had the photo flawlessly processed and framed for us. A wonderful gift.
Every time I pass this picture I think of our two friends. I remember our time in Gardiner and Yellowstone. I smile.

Queen NormaJean II GreenEyes

1 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

May 28, 2021 at 11:27am

#1010917

Failure is an Option

PROMPT May 28th

What would you do if you knew you could not fail?

Could not fail? Everyone fails. I can’t think of anyone that hasn’t.

Oh, wait. There was one perfect man. Jesus. He had no sin. Sin is not perfection.

To do something right the first time and not fail at it would be in my mind the idea of perfection. And do everything without failing, well, that after a while would become boring, don’t you think?

I would think it would also become just a bit dangerous. If you knew you couldn’t fail, then you would try to do more and more risky adventures. Sort of like being reincarnated.

Seems there was a movie with Tom Cruise. Strange little thing. He kept dying, and coming back to die over and over. He repeated the same actions over and over. Eventually, he conquered the evil monsters, of course, and I’m sure conquered the girl, of course. So would that be the opposite of knowing you could not fail?

I had two friends in high school that were straight A students. From kindergarten to graduation. Every grade, every class, every year. A’s. Then they went to college. Every class, every year. A’s. One became a lawyer. One became a dentist. They never failed, in school or in life. To this day, they are my friends, albeit distant. But great people nonetheless.

Strange idea, knowing you could not fail. Because by failing we learn our limits. We learn that we are human. We learn our faults.

We learn.

Queen NormaJean II GreenEyes

4 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

May 27, 2021 at 12:00pm

#1010876

My Lasts

PROMPT May 27th

Write about your first _______. (You fill in the blank. Ex: first car, first job, first crush, first week at college, etc)

I thought for a bit about this prompt. Then I decided I would do a different take. I decided to write about the 'lasts' in my life. My last husband and my last house and home. I know I saved the best for last.

I had two husbands before my current love. Let's just say I'm a slow learner. But he's a keeper and he is definitely the love of my life and the last love I'll ever have.

I’ve lived in quite a few different homes. I counted them at one time. I decided to start keeping track; you know, for fits and giggles. I thought I still had that list, but it's nowhere to be found. Darn. It is in the double digits, that I know.

We decided to buy this small house in Roundup, Montana. The first time we drove through this small burg we were less than impressed. It struck us as sad and depressed. But maybe that was our state at the time. We wanted to be out in the country, not in a town.

But here we are, smack in the middle of a small Montana town, where God has seen fit to put us. So we are making the best of it.

We purchased this two-bedroom, century-old home on a small lot with our savings. Since we bought it, we’ve been remodeling to make it reflect more the spirit of the time in which it was built.

Our home shows up in the old photos from the 1920s. It has gone through some changes, but the main bones are still here and still sturdy. When we remodeled the dining room we found some items in the wall, a child’s school book and a ball from the ’20s. I put them in my memory box.

With a bit of help, but mainly our own hard work, we’ve redone the woodwork, installed better windows, remodeled the bathroom, and insulated the crap out of this place to help keep out the winter winds. The kitchen was remodeled before we moved in, we just replaced the dated countertops.

So we live our quiet little lives in this humble little town. A place where people still wave to you as you walk by, as you drive down the street, no matter if they know you or not. This town is a tight-knit community of kind-hearted people with generous hearts. But that’s the attitude of most of the small towns in Montana.

We love living in Big Sky country.

6 Like • Comment • View 6 comments

May 26, 2021 at 11:21am

#1010798

Goals

PROMPT May 26th

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?

This reminds me of the 'What did you do on your summer vacation?" assignment at school. What do you write about this? A short version came to me last night at midnight,

Short Term:
Wake up in the morning
Make the bed each day
Read the Bible each day
Walk each day
Write something each day

Long Term:
Do each of the Short Term goals for the rest of my life. I mean, like Robert Waltz

said, at my age, what else is there? I don’t drink, so alcohol is out. I don’t do drugs, so that is out. I don't work at a real job anymore, so no climbing that ladder. Social goals? Try to be a nice person.

So I’ll just live my life with my husband the best I can. I’ll go to church as often as I can. I’ll try to write as much as I can. I’ll try to be the best person I can be. I’ll just try to live as long as I can.

There. That’s five. Done.

3 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

May 25, 2021 at 6:40pm

#1010768

"A Penny Saved..." and you know the rest

PROMPT May 25th

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.

Like Robert Waltz

wrote, money. I live near the 'superhighway' to the high school. Kids drive and walk by me all the time. They are careless, it seems, with their riches. I am frequently the recipient of a $20, $10, $5, $1 and more often loose change. Half goes to church, half to me as the lucky finder.

I walked behind one person on my noon walk. I actually saw the money fall from their backpack. Before I could yell to the person, he/she turned around and picked it up. I was glad. Don’t want to lose your lunch money. But as I walked further, there were still a few coins. I pocketed them since the person was now around the corner.

Hubby and I, when on our RV adventure, tried to sell Christmas trees in Phoenix. We recruited some young people to help. This one young man would come to work every day with some money to buy snacks, sodas, the usual stuff. When he got back from the store, he would look at his change and throw the pennies on the ground.

“What are you doing?” I asked.

“Getting rid of the pennies.” He replied,

“You know if you have enough, you have a dollar.”

“They’re stupid. Not worth anything.”

Again we said, “But if you save them, they add up.”

He kept throwing them on the ground. We kept picking them up. Evidently no one ever told him ‘A penny save is a penny earned.”

Queen NormaJean II GreenEyes

1 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

May 24, 2021 at 11:32am

#1010661

The Walking Dead

PROMPT May 24th

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?

I used to watch ‘The Walking Dead’ every week. I enjoyed the early years of that drama. They had a great ensemble cast. It was truly the good guys versus the bad guys.

All the dystopian world we fear will come to pass. Zombies and world collapse. How are we to survive without a government and medical care and food supply and most of all, petroleum products.

But then somewhere along the line, they started veering off the path. It became more of a soap opera than it was before. The well-defined characters and drama became all muddled.

I know you cannot keep a TV show going for years and years before you have to change it up a bit. But I feel cheated. I feel it has ‘jumped the shark’, as they say. The characters have morphed and changed too much, probably to reach out to their perceived audience. The plot lines are going down strange and wandering paths.

I’m not sure what the writers think each week with these episodes. I know the original idea came from the graphic novel of the same name. It cannot be easy to transfer the thoughts of comics to the screen. Something has to be lost in translation.

So I no longer watch that show, ’The Walking Dead’ or its evil spawn ‘Fear the Walking Dead’, ‘Fear the Walking Dead The World Beyond’, and then there is the talk show that dissects each episode, ‘The Talking Dead’. That used to rule my Sunday night. But I can change, just as television is changing. More and more people want to watch movies, series, bits and bobs on their internet devices. I’m just glad I’m not in charge.

I guess you ‘make hay while the sun shines’. Oh the cliches I can think of here. So this show will eventually fall away, as all things do. There is a cult following, just like there was for ‘Star Trek’, for 'Happy Days’, for 'The Waltons’, for ‘Little House on the Prairie’. I know I am showing my bias and age with those old shows. But how I long to go back to those innocent times.

Beam me back, Scotty!

1 Like • Comment

May 23, 2021 at 12:11pm

#1010611

Nicknames

PROMPT May 23rd

Write about nicknames. What nicknames do you have for people in your life? What nicknames do others use to refer to you? Do any of these names have an interesting story for how they came to be?

I don’t like nicknames. I feel that you should call people by the name they were given. I was called ‘Normie” by my Aunt. I hate that term. I still have one friend that calls me that. I don’t like it.

I tried not to call my children by nicknames. I feel that parents take great care in naming babies and you should honor those names. But then again, some parents chose some very interesting names for their offspring. And perhaps nicknames would be better options than the legal names.

Hubby calls me Norma Jean. That I like. My proper name.

4 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

May 22, 2021 at 8:02pm

#1010588

Car Wreck

PROMPT May 22nd

Write about the biggest challenge you have faced and how you overcame it.

Perhaps I shared this before. I was in a bad car accident in my 20’s. I remember driving out of the parking lot of our apartment. For some reason I left our daughter, age 2 at the time, at home. Good decision.

The next thing I remember is hearing a lot of noise. It woke me up and bothered me. Why so much noise? It was all those machines that were monitoring me, keeping me alive.

I was in the intensive care of the local hospital. I had been in a car accident, a bad one. My car, a Ford Pinto, red, 2 door, was totaled. I had multiple injuries, but the worst was a fractured pelvis.

It seems that I went through an intersection on my way to the grocery store. A truck hit me broadside, pinning me in the bucket seat of the car. They say it took some time to get me out. I have no memory of this. I do remember later going to look at the mangled car. It was amazing that I survived. But then the Pinto was poorly designed.

Six weeks in the hospital, not being able to move. Seems you can’t do much for a fractured pelvis other than let nature take its course.

The only bright moment of the whole ordeal was when a woman came in to turn me and rub my back. Heaven!

I did, of course, finally get out. A big bruise on my thigh still gives me trouble to this day. Fifty years later.

The only thing I thought of while in the hospital all those weeks was getting out. Seeing my daughter again. Walking again. Now that I look back on it, seeing my husband again was not a priority. Interesting. But then, he never came to visit me in the hospital. My parents came once. Again, interesting.

So when I remarried and husband #2 was in the hospital for an extended time, I made sure I was there daily. And when current husband was in the hospital, I made sure I went to visit him as well.

It is important to me that loved ones are shown support and love. No matter where they are. But especially if they are sick or injured. I wish someone had visited me back when I was alone and injured.

4 Like • Comment • View 3 comments

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