PLAY NICE

It all started so simply.  The faith message was basically "play nice".  How could such an easy task become so convoluted?


Every religion has factions within itself that are contradictory.  Take Christianity for example.  First we split by theological definitions that created many different denominations and then came more distention within those different denominations.  Now Christianity is not only divided theologically, we are divided politically.  On top of all the controversy we already have, we now must define ourselves as the Christian Right and/or the Christian Left. 


It never pleases me to have to raise such questions, but today doesn't it all seems a far cry from the simplicity of "play nice"?

QOTW 11-28-11 LOOK AGAIN

Question Of The Week 11-28-11

How do you see your day-to-day life? Did Thanksgiving leave your glass feeling half full or half empty?  What do you expect through the rest of the holidays?  How do you generally look at  your life?

Thanks to my sister Elenore for  this question of the week.

Click here to get the turkey wishbone pull results.

WIN-WIN

18 voted Left               13 voted Right

As you can see the lefts were the official winners.  However the wish Ron and I each made was for everyone's wish to come true.  This was definitely a win-win situation.  Thanks everyone for you guesses on my blog, on Facebook and by text for playing along.  Your wishes are important.

IT IS NOT TOO LATE

 Left     Y      Right

Everyone had gone yesterday before I realized we had not pulled the wishbone.  Now even  you can get in on it.  Pick your side, right (with nail polish on tip) or left, and make your wish when you post your comment.  

Sunday evening, 7:00 PM CST, Ron and I will pull the wishbone with your proxy and let you know the break. You may give us suggestions on how we should hold it to gain the best advantage on the pull. Pinky finger hold, thumb placement, fist grip, etc.

It is always the one with the larger portion of the wishbone that wins. 

Everyone on the winning side will have your wish come true.*   
Make you choice in the comments (and share your wish if you dare).  Many believe if you tell you wish it won't come true but I think that only applies to blowing out birthday candles.


*fine print: Participate at your own risk. We are not liable for unfulfilled wishes.  


More information regarding the superstition of pulling the turkey wishbone.  It is a rare circumstance but some have been known to pull the wishbone evenly apart at the Y.  If that is the case, all wishes will come true.  It has also been known for persons to break both sides below the Y and the Y has dropped to the ground.  In this instance, none of the wishes will come true.

OUTTA HERE

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  Share your plans and/or menus or favorite traditions in the comments.  

Children and grandchildren coming here and bringing most of the food.  (Sometimes it pays to be old and infirm.)

Baked Ham

Fried Turkey

Smoked Turkey

Stuffing

Mashed potatoes

Green Bean Casserole

Corn Casserole

Pistachio Fluff

Chelle's Unbelievable Homemade Croissants

Pecan Pies

Pumpkin Pies

Fudge

No Cranberry Sauce:)

Once you have pushed away from the Thanksgiving table and everyone is napping, go to your computer. You probably won't find a lot of new blog entries to read due to the holiday but here are some of our past Thanksgiving posts in case you need a blog fix.

 Thanksgiving 2010 -- Remains Of The Day

Thanksgiving 2009 -- Something Wishboney This Way Comes

Thanksgiving 2008 -- Happiest Of Thanksgiving Greetings

Thanksgiving 2007 -- Thanksgiving To Remember 2007

Thanksgiving 2006 -- Feeding Mother 

Thanksgiving 2005 -- Thanksgiving

QOTW 11-21-11 KARAOKE CATERWAULING

Question Of The Week 11-21-11

What is your Karaoke standby?








Perhaps the first question should be "Do you do karaoke?". 


Singing karaoke is not my thing but if it was, I would probably select FIRE AND RAIN.  RESPECT,. BLUE EYES CRYING IN THE RAIN. ... IN SPITE OF OURSELVES, definitely an Ann and Ron karaoke duet:).  click link

My goddaughter Jessi came up with this question of the week.  She loves cats,so I thought this caterwauling picture would be appropriate. Riot Kitty will love it too:)  

LET'S MONKEY AROUND

Have you ever seen such large sock monkeys? Found a room full of these engaging critters in a flea market yesterday.  They cost $56 each.  I could not afford to purchase them but somehow felt the urge to help them escape. 

INSULT TO INJURY

We had dear friends in a horrible automobile accident this week.  Thankfully husband and wife both are doing well at this point and no one else was injured.  I think the worse part will come when they read the news account of the wreck and learn the husband was referred to as "the  elderly driver".  Yikes!  These are people our age. Guess that is how we are referred to now and I try not to think  about it.  Let's make "elderly" a non-PC term.

.

QOTW 11-14-11 ADDICTS

Question Of The Week 11-14-11

What is your  "uncommon" addiction?

I am fairly certain that we all have some kind of addiction, whether it is to a substance or to an activity.  We know the usual addictions that make headlines like drugs, gambling and sex.  But what addictions are not quite as harmful and maybe not as common?  I am addicted to my computer and to television.

(Have you ever attempted to overcome one addiction by replacing it with another?  My sister suggested this question because she traded cigarettes for Nicorette.)

THEY DID IT

Grandson Dillon photographs his medallion. A win that finally comes his senior year. Granddaughter Beth, with two more years in the band, was seen crying when the camera panned in at the announcement.  Grandson Ryan, now in college, celebrates the victory for his siblings and "his" band.  It is not just a victory for the performers but for anyone who has ever been a member of the BROKEN ARROW PRIDE.  It is also tremendous victory for all the parents and family members who have supported this effort. 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! #1 

(I haven't talked to their dad yet, who chaperoned again this year, but I know that is because he hasn't stopped crying yet.)

BROKEN ARROW PRIDE FINALE 2011

The Broken Arrow Pride last won the championship in 2006.

PICTURES FROM THE PAST

PICTURES FROM THE PAST

These pics were taken from color slides found at the Library of Congress. They are dated between 1939-1943. 

The pictures are so clear and the color is so vibrant, it looks as though they were taken just yesterday .  

  http://extras.denverpost.com/archive/captured.asp

My favorites are # 58  # 70...or maybe...oh well, it is very difficult to pick a favorite.  All are awesome.

TODAY WE THANK THEM

 

Tell a story in the comments about a special Veteran friend or family member.

To all  Military Veterans,

Thank You!

11-11-11 

Lynn said...

My late father was a Naval veteran of World War II - he was on a minesweeper in the Pacific theater. One morning the ship's cooks were all killed in a battle. They asked if anyone knew how to cook and so dad and the ship's pharmacist raised their hands. Dad was stretching that a bit - he mainly saw an opportunity to eat better. The first meal was chili - the ingredients had already been laid out for preparation. "Eerie" he said. Someone came by and suggested he make it good and hot, so there was an industrial sized can of chili powder there, and dad split it open and poured it all in. The rest of the story, was hearing about all the sailors with tears streaming down their faces. :)

He had some horror stories, too (edited to some extent) - what I always admired about that was that he never looked for glory - it was just something you do. You serve your country.

  Bonnie said...

There are many vets in my family, my father,his brothers, my brother in law and all 3 of my grandfathers. The one that sticks out the most was my Grampa Comstock because he was a survivor at Pearl Harbor when it was bombed. Unfortunately he died in 1975 when I was quite young and even though I have researched it, I cannot find the name of the ship he was on. God Bless all our veterans AND their families, because they sacrifice too.

6:41 AM

  Changes in the wind said...

My Dad served in World War 2 and survived where many of his buddies did not. He would not talk about it so I do not know alot. I have his uniform, dog tags, maps, letters to my Mom and many other things. I recently read a quote "There are no unharmed war veterans" and think it is true. Indeed we are grateful to all our veterans but we really can not understand their sacrifice unless we walked in their shoes.

7:59 AM 

Rae said...

My father served in WWII. He was shot on the battlefield while rescuing another soldier. He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star in recognition.

My three uncles also served in the same war. One of them (Ray)was killed in action. My dad wanted to honor him in some way, so he named me after him.

12:20 PM

  Riot Kitty said...

I come from a long line of peace-loving veterans. My great-grandfather lied about his age so he could join the Navy in WWI (where he was a champion boxer), and my grandfather, his son, also lied about his age so he could go fight the Nazis in WWII. Before that, my great-great-great grandfather fought on the Union side in the civil war. I can't imagine that kind of bravery, and I salute them.

  LL Cool Joe said...

I don't really have any stories to tell. As an adopted person my history is very limited. I didn't have a grandfather. Both my parents were evacuated as children in the second world war.

I do have a story about my father visiting the concentration camps in germany, so maybe I'll try to talk about that on my blog one day.

  Granny Annie said...

Ron served 20 years in the Navy through the Cold War and Vietnam. He freely and often tells funny stories from his years in the military but he never talks about the serious stuff unless he is with a group of other veterans. They know that unless we were there we cannot understand.

G said...

I don't have any stories to tell either, however I will mention that my late grandfather was a WWI veteran of the Navy who lost a couple of fingers during combat while loading those big ass cannons (I think. My recollection is a bit hazy on that). Like some patriotic men in those days, he lied about his age so that he could enlist.

7:14 AM

  Snaggle Tooth said...

My Dad was a Sergeant in the Infantry in Korea. The GI Bill helped get him thru Engineering education.

A girl I knew growing up became career Army, as both her parents were. She did 3 tours in Iraq after a tour in Germany, despite being a parent. She works in the Motor Pool division. I think she's very dedicated n brave.

3:54 AM

Comments From Facebook

Judy (kenju)  My dad had flat feet and the services wouldn't take him, but his brother and my cousin both served, and many others in the family as well. We are always grateful for their time in service to our country.

Lucy --  My dad was a veteran... He was in the Navy and he was so proud to have served his country... He loved watching Victory at Sea and we all watched it with him...We had a military salute at his funeral... Miss you, dad...

ALL ABOUT GOAT GREED

Our goats are a lot like chickens.  If one chicken finds a tasty morsel, all the other chickens will give chase trying to grab it while they pass up other food just to get this one thing.  The other day LV (Lord Voldemort) spied a treat near the back of the house.  He began to nibble on it when the other goats stampeded to take it away.  Notice they are standing in a bed of dried leaves which they love to eat but all is abandoned just to steal from LV.  I can put out several dabs of sweet feed for the goats but they will fight over one tray at a time rather than spread out.

They also do not play well together.  The goats enjoy jumping on the big tire, especially the small goats. The bully billy goat, TK, is not allowing the youngsters to climb up and play.

Instead of guessing "Where's Waldo" you can play "Where's Slim" with the above picture.  She blends well with the goats.  Maybe she'd waiting for her turn on the tire.

This is my blog post #1900,  I am hoping to reach 2000 by March 9, 2012, on my 7th blog anniversary of FOOLS RUSH IN.

Here is something funny in case you missed it on my sidebar or on facebook.  My cousin Becky knew I would love it.

 

VINCENT LIVES

See Little Joe, our young rooster.  He is growing very nicely and is a big boy.  At seven months of age he is just right for a rooster stew so I hope none of our hungry neighbors will see him.  We do not eat any of our chickens.


See Vincent at the back of the barn.  I did not know he was there until I looked at this photo.  Vincent was the scarecrow my grandson Michael built to keep predators away from the chickens.  Vincent stood in our back field for a couple of years in rain and snow and sun.  Ron told the boys to take Vincent down their last visit and I just now realized this protector was stored in the barn instead of destroyed. 

It made me smile to see him there.

Visit the original post about Vincent here. 
(The suggestions in the original post comments caused me to have the grandsons all go out and pee on Vincent.)

ALL THAT AND A PhD

My godson emailed these questions when I ask all the family for ideas for my Monday QOTW.  I can always depend on Travis to make any inquiry interesting and these were too clever to wait and post one at a time. 

"There are so many questions... Why do the British spell color colour? or why do the leaves change color? how do roots grow down and branches grow up? why don't penguins live in the northern hemisphere? Why does chocolate taste so good? Does an apple taste like a potato if you hold your nose closed?"

He also sent this question and I'm hoping it really has an answer he can verify.  I already made my guess but needless to say, it was wrong.

"There is a prison with 277 men in it. Every man has a number tattooed on the back of his head. 12 people have 1, 84 have a 2, 76 a 3, 104 a 4, and 1 person has a 5. These people cannot communicate and they cannot look at the back of their head. They do not know the number on the back of their head. They do not if they even have a number on the back of their head. They can see each other though.

If a person figures out what number is on the back of his head that person can leave the prison at midnight. No one will guess.

One day everyone is gathered for lunch and the person with the number 5 on the back of his head stands on a table and says, "I see someone with the number 2 tattooed on the back of his head". He does not look at anyone when he says this, and that is all that is said.

How many people leave the prison? When?"

Yes my blog friends, this is what you would call an extra credit question. It should wake you up on a Tuesday.  LOL 

DISCLAIMER:  My dear friends, I should have warned you that my godson is a trickster.  He was the child who, along with his sister, locked me in a porta-potty at the fair parade.  He hid in my closet for two hours when he was a kid, waiting to scare me and he and a friend blew up the dog house with a dry ice bomb when they were 12. Just many in a long list of his antics. I should have insisted on the answer to this question before I posted it,  When I ask him to give me the answer his first response was, "Who said I knew the answers)"  

His second response was, "    

I know the answer. The answer requires an explanation. A guess does not cut it.

To see the answer simply the problem. Try it with 1 #2 and 1 #n. Then go on and look at 2 #2 and 2 #n, 1 #2 1#n 1#m ...."

And that is all Greek to me.  Sorry if any of you over taxed your brains on this.  Let's just say everyone gets extra credit and it appears Whitemist had the best guess.  Sounded good to me anyway. If Travis ever reports in with something sensible, I will share it with you.  Yep, I love him anyway:)

QOTW 11-7-11 MARTIAN ATTACK!!!

Picture by the amazing Crystal Robot for the Julie Kay Portrait Party*

Question Of The Week 11-7-11

Are your taken in by sensational headlines? 

It seems there was a time we avoided picking up the National Inquirer and similar magazines because we knew there was only a tiny shred of truth (if any) to their outlandish headlines.  Now it seems to ALL be tabloid news even in once respected periodicals. 'We grab the paper up or click on the link only to learn there still is no truth to the headlines.  What recent splash caused you to read the story only to learn that it didn't come close to what had been trumpeted?

Here is a true headline for you: MAN WITH "TRUE GRIT" CELEBRATES BIRTHDAY TODAY!  Amazing husband, father, grandfather, commodities guru and military hero named Ron:)

*Can you find me in the above picture?

APPETITE STRIKES

Warning to all vegans...DON'T LOOK!

Ron rarely (no pun intended) has an appetite these days so when something strikes his fancy we go for it.  Yesterday he decided on  Montana Mike's Prime Rib with horseradish sauce, fried okra and green beans.  He did not make a "happy plate" but he sure gave it his best shot and we brought home enough leftovers for his next meal plus a treat for Slim.

NOW YOU CAN

DON'T FORGET AT 2 AM TO

PREPARING BLOGGER OPEN HOUSE

Transferring files to a new computer is like moving into a new home and trying to find the right place for everything. It is absolutely wearing me out to adjust to the changes but oh how I love this new place!  

Cannot wait for all of my blog friends to start visiting me here:)

STRANGE ROAD KILL

Yesterday, returning from a trip to town, I noticed something on the shoulder of the highway.  The tableau that unfolded was a dead animal of some kind and a broken crutch.   Now just what was the story there?  I wish I had gone back and taken a picture.  Any guesses on what might have occurred?

AGAIN WITH THE FINE PRINT

The year was 2000 and I left banking after 32 years.  A lot has probably changed since then but I imagine the fine print has probably only gotten finer.  Opening an account at a bank yields a lot of paperwork and buried in the fine print is a disclosure that states "The rules and regulations on this account are subject to change by the financial institution at any time with 30 days prior notification provided to the customer in writing."  


That notification can be delivered to you in any manner.  The favorite is in a line notice across your bank statement.  The reason that is the favorite is because the majority of people (I kid you not) do not even open their bank statements.  Yes Bank of America and all the other banks will find more subtle ways to increase their fee income after abandoning the $5 debit card fees, and a lot of us will not even notice the changes.

There is even more in the fine print that you should start reading. A lot applies to what is the customer's responsibility.  It is amazing stuff.  Have you ever read all the disclosures the bank provides?  Did you shop for you bank based on pricing and policies or convenience?