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Sunday, Apr. 28, 2024

11:13pm 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

about 16 hours ago
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!

QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

about 22 hours ago
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

about 22 hours ago
In response to "Oscar and Tony and Grammy winner !!!"

Kåre Enga in Udon Thani

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 Udon Thani

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 Udon Thani

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 Udon Thani

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

June 5, 2022 at 10:58pm

#1033411

Museum Fundraiser

Today was a fundraiser for the Musselshell County Historical Museum. I recently joined the board, so I was asked to help. The Chuckwagon Breakfast from 8-1 fed about 150 people. Pretty good deal. We served pancakes, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, plus sliced strawberries and watermelon. Beverages were coffee, orange juice and water. All food was donated by Museum board members. I donated some butter, 7# of strawberries, and 2 large Costco size bottles of Log Cabin syrup. Plus I donated 5 hours of time.

Good grief. I thought I am 20 years old again, working in the Big Boy restaurant in Ashtabula, Ohio. Clearing plates and getting drinks. But this time I wasn't working for wages or tips. Just volunteering. With no break. But it was for a good cause. I couldn't even eat the food. I'm gluten intolerant, so no pancakes or biscuits. I don't eat pork, so no pork gravy. Right now I'm having some digestive problems, so I'm fasting so not even the eggs or fruit. I just drank a bit of juice. It could have been worse, I could have been the dishwasher, she stood with her hands in soapy water for 5 hours. So after all the guests left, I cleaned up and headed home. Right across the street.

I came home and lay on the porch swing for a spell. Rested my poor feet and legs. Enjoyed a quiet time for about an hour.

But I did hear that my little entry in The Bard's Hall Contest earned 2nd place. Hooray! I have another entry out there in the Dialogue 500. I've been writing a lot for The Daily Flash Fiction and The Writer's Cramp when the prompts seem interesting and time allows. Sometimes I win,

The weather here is looking better this year. We're getting a bit more rain this Spring. Sure beats last year. We didn't have much rain at all. We're still in a drought, but a bit of rain now and then is welcome.

Pray for everyone in the West. Drought and fuel prices are hurting all the farmers.

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May 26, 2022 at 7:46pm

#1032900

Quills Nomination

Well what do you know! I have been nominated for a 2022 Quills for a Flash Fiction story. Talk about surprised! I am honored folks. Thank you to whoever thought my story,

The Hand Tree

(E)
Quills Finalist! for 2022 - Winner! Daily Flash Fiction 5/20/22 W/C 297
#2273335 by QueenNormaJeanGreeneggs&vegham

was worthy of the nomination. Now I just have to wait until next spring for the ceremony.

I was a frequent contributor to that contest for a few years, now it's a few times a month. I seem to hang out at Andre's Banana Bar quite a bit. it's a fun place to be. I don't go for the drinks, but for the interesting conversations. But when I see interesting prompts, like these, well I'll take a chance.

These were the words I had to use:

mountain
hand
leaf

What would you write, in 300 words, in 24 hours, using those three words? Sounds easy? Give it a try. You may win the contest. Or a Quills nomination. You never know.

from 2021 Illustrious Musselshell Players

Like • Comment

May 12, 2022 at 9:51pm

#1032332

It Rained For the First Time in Years!

It actually rained today. We just could not believe it. Rain does exist. It fell from the sky. We felt like the people in the time of Noah who never knew rain. He told them it would rain. Before the flood, it never rained. Water rose from the ground as mist.

Well, here in Musselshell County in Montana, for two years, nothing so much as a drop of rain has fallen before the last few weeks. I looked out at a small tree in my front yard a few weeks ago. No leaves. A few days of rain and it suddenly sprouted tiny leaves all over. A miracle. Our yard is now three inches high. The trees and flowers everywhere are rejoicing in the wet.

Is this the end of our drought? We pray it is.

Then tonight I went to the store. I saw a sign on the dairy case. Egg shortage. Only one dozen per customer. And that dozen now will cost you $4.99. What? I'm glad I get eggs from a friend. She comes once a week with two dozen fresh eggs. No shortages with her chickens. And no price increase.

Gas went up again here. It's now $4.29 a gallon. I'm glad I walk here in town, or ride my bike, most everywhere.

Life is going to start getting tougher, so I'm glad we're getting a garden going again. Canning jars are being purchased next week. Freezing and canning more food is in our future.

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May 5, 2022 at 11:19pm

#1032022

Weather Spotter

I don't have enough to do. So I signed up with the National Weather Service to be a Weather Spotter. We had an informational meeting tonight.

I have to laugh as I read that first sentence. I have WAY too many things to do. Today I led prayer for the town for National Day of Prayer. I also yesterday made a new Facebook page for our church, and set up an email contact system for our church as well as updated our church's website. I also volunteered at the thrift store in town.

We are remodeling a room in our home. I think I've mentioned this. But the new wrinkle, the contractor/handyman quit. Ha! And the kicker? He said, "Well, you don't really need that room anyway." Well, pardon me. Yes, I do. My dresser is in the dining room. My husband's office is in the dining room. The cedar chest is in the dining room. The only other closet for some of our clothes is not in existence, so my clothes are all over the house. Annoyance beyond belief. So we are doing the rest of this on our own.

I am getting ready to start the garden again. The weather is finally warming up. Tomorrow we start our volunteering for the museum again. Every Friday til the end of September.

So, yes, now I will be watching the weather in addition to my many other jobs. Tightly packed isobars and wall clouds and anvil clouds and cumulonimbus clouds and hail and flash floods and all that fun weather stuff.

Hurrah!

1 Like • Comment • View 1 comment

April 22, 2022 at 12:13am

#1031162

Elle's Question

Merit badge challenge

Would you rather:
a) Go back to being 10 years old but all the knowledge you have now, or
b) Skip forward 10 years but have $50 million in the bank?

SO, to answer Elle's question on the newsfeed, I think I'd like to go back 10 years. Answer A. With all the knowledge I have now but live back then, well now life would have been so much different. Of course it would. But would I upset the time/space continuum if that would be possible?

I don't want to gamble on that money being there in the same form in 10 years. And besides, what is money anyways. It can't buy much these days.

2 Like • Comment • View 5 comments

April 17, 2022 at 11:07am

#1030881

Easter

It's Easter Sunday. Those of us who are Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ. It's a big deal, the resurrection.

What to me is NOT a big deal is all the chicks and bunnies, the colored eggs, the Easter baskets, an Easter egg hunt, the chocolate treats, the ham dinners. Easter any more has taken on the secular trappings of Christmas. More about the hoopla and less and less about the actual reason for the season.

I don't do a big ham dinner, we are two people. I don't eat pork. We don't do colored eggs or hide them. And anymore that is just filling plastic eggs with candy, which kids don't need in abundance. Real eggs are food and food is getting expensive. It's not a game. Chicks and bunnies, the same thing. People here buy baby chicks, they come by plane or in the mail. They are babied along in an incubator to become chickens to produce eggs and eventually meat. Or some raise them from eggs. Same thing with rabbits, raise them for meat.

Right now we still have 3 inches of snow on the ground. Tradition says to plant potatoes on Good Friday. I still have my seed potatoes waiting. Once the snow melts, I'll have to wait for the ground to thaw. I figure I'll be about 2 weeks behind on that chore.

Guess I'm a bit grumpy. So I'll stop with the lecture.

The sun is out. Christ is risen. It'll be a nice day.

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April 11, 2022 at 1:12am

#1030518

A Big Storm

Looks like it's been a while since I posted on this blog. I was busy in the Banana Blog for a time.

Let's see, we're waiting for a winter storm. Yeah, right. It probably won't do much. They always threaten storms lately but we never get much of anything. This area sure could use a good rain or snowstorm. The drought here is severe and going on three years.

I am still involved in planning a Renaissance Festival for September. Some of the planners have dropped off the radar screen, but not before accusing me of being the most hateful person on the face of the earth. Hmm.

First I was the death of civilization as we know it. That was the accusation from a person on that Amtrak trip to California. Now I am considered the most hateful person on the face of the earth. Goodness gracious. Those are some pretty ugly accusations.

Let me just say, I am not perfect. No one is. I apologized. I said I was sorry for whatever I did that irked these latest accusers so. But, whatever it was, they still hold their anger.

So that to me is a bigger storm than this blizzard that may or may not form.

A word to the wise - don't hold your anger. Be humble. Apologize. No one is perfect.

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March 28, 2022 at 1:33pm

#1029623

Newsletter

I have the honor of being mentioned in the Blogging Newsletter. Terrific!

"March 2022 Blogging Bliss Newsletter - One Hundred Eleven"

Like • Comment

March 24, 2022 at 11:59am

#1029428

Big Sky

Hubby and I just got back from a 2 night stay at the Big Sky resort in Big Sky, MT. Another freebie that I won just by answering a tourism survey, even tough we don't downhill ski. But hey, 2 free night at a premium resort, I'm in!

So, this place was first conceived by Chet Huntley of the Huntley-Brinkley team on NBC news back in ancient times, folks. I remember them. Chet Huntley bought the land, had the dream. We stayed in Huntley Lodge.

Now Big Sky is known as a premier skiing location. And the people were there. The area received 12 inches of snow the day before we arrived. Skiiers and snowboarders alike were in full force. But since we do neither, we drove back down the mountain one day and went fishing, rebels that we are.

2 Like • Comment • View 2 comments

March 15, 2022 at 11:08pm

#1029001

Billboard Star

Well hello there! When was the last time you saw yourself on a billboard?

I have the privilege of being on a tourism billboard for our town. The picture was taken some months ago on a VERY cold day down on the Riverwalk by the Musselshell River in Roundup. I decided to wear an excellent coat that I have that's rated to -30°. I'm the one in the bright blue coat. What a good choice that was!

Gotta say, when I heard that Morgan, the gentleman in the picture, was renting a billboard for a year for promoting our little town, I was excited. He and I serve on the SE Montana Tourism board. And he is the manager of the Big Sky Motel in town.

Then when I heard that this picture was on the first billboard Morgan sponsored, well, I had to laugh. What a hoot! First chance I had, I got a picture of it.

Life comes at you fast sometimes. Enjoy it while you can!

(hint - click on the picture for bigger image)

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