Thursday, April 30, 2015

Spin Cycle--It's Pure Poetry

So, April is poetry month.  This week the Spin Cycle is about poetry. Namely writing poetry.  I am not a poetry writer.  My mind does not think in those terms.  I will be sharing another favorite poem.  I've already shared The Highwayman and The Cremation of Sam McGee.
I've chosen a poem from James Whitcomb Riley, Little Orphant Annie:
 
Little Orphant Annie
To all the little children: -- The happy ones; and sad ones;
The sober and the silent ones; the boisterous and glad ones;
The good ones -- Yes, the good ones, too; and all the lovely bad ones.
 

ITTLE Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,
An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,
An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,
An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;
An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,
We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun
A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,
An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!
 
Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,--
An' when he went to bed at night, away up-stairs,
His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,
An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!
An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,
An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'-wheres, I guess;
But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout:--
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!
 
An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,
An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;
An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,
She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!
An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,
They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,
An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!
An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!
 
An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,
An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!
An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,
An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--
You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,
An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,
An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,
Er the Gobble-uns 'll git you
Ef you
Don't
Watch
Out!

Now there is a bit of a back story on this.  In my junior year we had an exchange student from Sweden.  He had an accent.  Then he chose this poem to perform for the Speech team. He did it with his accent and with the inflection that is written into the poem.  It was really fun to watch adn listen to him.

Have a great week!

Wednesday, April 29, 2015

50 Questions

So, there is no Hodgepodge today, but in keeping with Wednesday being a question day, here are 50 questions:


1. What are you wearing?  Gray skinny pants and a multicolored top.  Relatively casual, I'm lucky that work does not require dress clothes.

2. Ever been in love? Oh, yes, currently with my loving hubby Nick.


3. Ever had a terrible breakup? Not really.  Of course, it's been a really long time since I had a breakup.

4. How tall are you? 5'6"

5. How much do you weigh? Ummm, not really sure at the moment.  Hopefully under 150.

6. Any tattoos? Nope.  Would like on though, just haven't gotten it done.

7. Any piercings? Just my ears.

8. OTP (one true pair, favorite fictional couple)?  Oh, I've read so many romances that it's very hard to pick a pair. Let's choose a couple from the movies--Nick and Nora Charles from the Thin Man series.

9. Favorite show? I have several. Currently I'm really enjoying Castle.  We also like Big Bang Theory.

10. Favorite bands? Always been a fan of Bon Jovi. 

11. Something you miss? The care free days of my youth--you know those days when summer stretched before you and there was nothing you had to do but figure out ways to not be bored.

12. Favorite song? Again, there are so many songs I like, let's go with the most recent--Litte Red Wagon by Miranda Lambert


13. How old are you? 41.


14. Zodiac sign? I fall on the cusp of Leo and Virgo. I tend more toward the Virgo, but some leo traits fit.

15. Quality you look for in a partner? Loyalty, fun and understanding--all of which Nick has in spades.

16. Favorite Quote? The average pencil is seven inches long, with just a half inch eraser - in case you thought optimism was dead. Robert Brault

17. Favorite actor? Matt Damon.

18. Favorite color? Green

19. Loud music or soft?  More toward the loud.  I want to hear it while I'm working or hanging out with friends.

20. Where do you go when you’re sad? I dive into a book.  Snuggle up in a chair and read away my troubles.

21. How long does it take you to shower? About 5-10 minutes on average.  Depends on whether I wash my hair or not.

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Roughly 20 minutes counting shower. I have perfected the scrunch and go hair style.

23. Ever been in a physical fight? Nope.

24. Turn on? The lights.  Don't stumble around in the dark.

25. Turn off? The devices when out with friends.

26. The reason I started blogging? For a connection.  I don't make in person friends easily, so I turned to blogging to meet like minded ladies.  It's been a wonderful adventure.

27. Fears? Public Speaking.  I loathe speaking in front of people. Also cold calling.

28. Last thing that made you cry? The end of Harry potter and the Deathly Hallows 2.  Sappy, but it gets to me.

29. Last time you said you loved someone? Last night to Nick.

30. Meaning behind the name of your blog? I live with three guys.  Granted two of them are under the age of 13, but still that's a lot of testosterone to deal with.

31. Last book you read? The most recent Lynsay Sands vampire book: The Immortal Who Loved Me

32. The book you’re currently reading? Amanda Quick's Garden of Lies.

33. Last show you watched? Bones.  On Netflix.

34. Last person you talked to? A co-worker.

35. The relationship between you and the person you last texted? A very good friend, to set up a drink date last night.

36. Favorite food? Lobster or any shellfish really.

37. Place you want to visit? Yellowstone when we have more time to spend really enjoying the park.

38. Last place you were? Denver for Spring Break.

39. Do you have a crush? Yes, again Nick is the one.

40. Last time you kissed someone? Yesterday.

41. Last time you were insulted?  It's been a while--at least to my face.

42. Favorite flavor of sweet? Dark Chocolate Turtles.

43. What instruments do you play? I sort of play the trumpet. Had one year of lessons in the fifth grade.

44. Favorite piece of jewelry? My wedding ring.


45. Last sport you played? I'm not one for organized sports. I have swam laps.  I've also run for exercise.

46. Last song you sang?  Singing along to the radio: Kasey Musgraves Biscuits:


47. Favorite social website? Facebook

48. Have you ever used it? Practically Daily.


49. Last time you hung out with anyone? Last night, out for drinks with a friend.

50. Who should answer these questions next? Anyone who wants to.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Hey, Tuesday!

It's Tuesday.  I've already survived and interminable staff meeting, no breakfast, and Tons of stress.  So much fun!  Shall we random?
  • So, last night I got the grocery shopping, laundry and dishes done.  I felt ridiculously productive.  Tonight I think I may vacuum.  It frees up time on the weekends.
  • I felt like this in just about every college lit class:
  •  On every toy:
  • In keeping with the lit comment, since I am a scientist:
Have a great week!
Join up for the Randomness with Stacy.
Stacy

Monday, April 27, 2015

Monday Music

Another Monday.  They do have a habit of coming around.  I could have used another day this last weekend, but alas, no extra day unless I get sick. So on to the weekend activities.
Saturday I got to go thrifting with a friend.  It was fun and I was happy to find a couple denim skirts and a few shirts. I tackled laundry and then we headed over to our cousin's house for shish kabobs.  Things were going fine until I was carrying Bruiser and tripped over a dog and we crashed.  Bruiser ended up with a cut on the back of his head.  That put a stop to the evening quite quickly. He will be fine, but head wounds are so yucky.
Sunday was a slow day for us.  We just couldn't muster up too much enthusiasm for anything.  I still have laundry to fold this evening. Yep, this weekend the laundry defied me and is still not done. I'll get there.
So, since we were so blah, it is a good thing that MMMM this week is pick me up music.

Brad Paisley with Crushin' It:


Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert with Somethin' Bad:


Kenny Chesney with American Kids:

Have a good week!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Spin Cycle--Favorite Place on Earth

Well, I have not been every where on earth, but I would say I love our "backyard".  And by Backyard I mean the lovely part of the country we get top go play in because it's on a short drive away.  See:
















Yeah, I have to admit I live in the place I love.  Visiting other places is fun, but I love coming home again.


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Hodgy Podgy

Qs:
1. Have you ever had to wear a uniform? If yes, tell us more. Did you love it or hate it? I did when I worked at the Albertson's Deli/bakery combo shortly after I graduated from college.  It wasn't a really bad job, but it wasn't a truly great job either.  Working grocery when all your friends have jobs that let them have weekends off is tough.

2. April 22nd is Earth Day. What is one thing you do personally to be a good steward of planet Earth? We participate in our town's recycling program and we use electricity friendly light bulbs. We try to conserve water and ride our bikes to work most of the summer--weather permitting.
3. Brown rice, quinoa, or couscous...your healthy grain of choice? How often are one of the three on your menu at home?  Given a choice between white rice, brown rice, wild rice, and fried rice which would you go for?  
I like brown rice and the crew will eat quinoa on occasion. Brown rice shows up on the menu frequently.
Given a choice of the different kinds of rice, I do like wild rice and brown rice is great with a  splash of soy sauce.
4. In your opinion, who has the best job ever? Travel authors.  They get to travel and write about it.  That looks quite fun.
5. What's a situation in your life currently requiring patience?  We have had some stuff come up at work.  Getting through it requires patience and not rushing into a decision before we have all the facts.
6.  Do you live your life around days of the week? Explain. We are on a work week schedule.  That won't likely change until retirement time. I love when Friday rolls around and it comes time for going home time...
7. In a nod to the A to Z challenge happening around town this month, what 'R word' best describes your April? Rollercoaster.  this month has been up and down and twisting and turning.  We are trying our best to hang on and endure the ride, maybe enjoy it if we can.
8. Insert your own random thought here. After last week's snow (which is practically gone now) I'm ready for more spring like weather.  And It looks like Mother Nature will deliver.  We have rain on the forecast for the rest of the week.  Lovely.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Random Tuesday

Hey, ya'll!  We are finally coming out of the deep freeze.  OK, so not so much deep freeze, but totally tons of snow.  Like close to 2 feet of snow. This morning was the first morning in six days (last Wednesday) that we haven't had new snow. Spring time in Wyoming.  One day you can be out in shorts, the next you can't see across the street for the snow. We call it weather by Sybil. It's just a bit psychotic.
On to the random:
  • With the snow we got the kids got a half day off of school Friday.  Our not-shutting-down-for-anything school district finally admitted defeat to Mother nature and sent the kiddos home early.
  • The weather also caused several pile ups in the interstates.  There were some nasty accidents.
  • Now for a lighter moment:
  • The nice thing about snow this time of year is that is melts off pretty quickly.  We actually have rain predicted for Thursday. See crazy weather.
  • The boys actually got to make a snowman--it wasn't very big, but it was still a snowman from all the snow we got.
 Have a great week everyone!

Join up for the Randomness with Stacy.
Stacy

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Spin Cycle --Just Write, Going Old School

Ok, so, I will admit to being in a bit of a blogging slump.  Ideas are just not flowing.  But, In an effort to pick it up, I'm going to go a bit old school and answer some questions posed over at Emmy Mom and also link this up with Ginny for the Spin Cycle.


Are you young at heart or and old soul? I tend toward the old soul I think.  But I'm balanced by Nick who is young at heart.  We do well together.

Tell me about a movie/book that has changed your life.  I was given the first book in a series of books by David Eddings when I was 14.  I fell in love and that started expanding my reading borders into adult fantasy, rather than the kids books I had been reading.  I am currently reading that same series of books to the guys when we drive.  Turbo is totally hooked.

Would you like to reconnect with any friends you have lost contact with? There is one that I have contact with only via Facebook.  It would be great to see her again in person.  However, she's in Texas.  It's a long trip.

What was your favorite place to go when you were a little kid? The mountains.  Even as a kid, I loved going for drives and finding roads that we hadn't been down before.  It was simple fun that wasn't costly.  I have fond memories of getting in the VW bus my mom had and asking where we were going and being told: Crazy and you don't have a choice, you're coming with me!  and then my mom would cackle.  We would protest, but the fun of the trip would have started.

Do you enjoy being with only one or two friends or with a large group of people? I'm more the one or two friends, or very small gathering.  I get uncomfortable in large groups.

What is your "quirkiest" habit? I'm a hair twister. I literally tie knots in my hair.  It's worse when I'm bored or nervous.

What part of the past year sticks out in your mind? We did so many things in the last year, but the best one was probably our trip to the Black Hills.  We had so much fun there.



What do you use more often:  your intuition or logical reasoning? I'm a logical reasoning girl, but that doesn't mean I discount my intuition.

Where is your favorite place to go out to eat? It kind of depends on my mood.  I like lots of places depending on what my tastes are at the time.  we do have on hard and fast rule.  If we are out of town, we like to eat at places that are not available in our town.  This really isn't hard as we don't really have a lot of chain restaurants in our town.

What was the last song that was stuck in your head? Oh, Miranda Lambert's new one Little Red Wagon:


What is your ethnic heritage? Mostly German and Swedish, but there's some Welsh thrown in for good measure on my father's side.

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Wed. Hodgepodge--Death and Taxes

OK, so no death, but today is T-day, or tax filing deadline day.  We did ours a couple weeks ago, but I'm sure there are those who are scrambling today. Now on to the questions:


1. Speaking of April 15th...what's the most 'taxing' thing you've done recently? Household chores.  They are just so never ending.  You get them "done" and they start accumulating all over again. And the tasks are so necessary, but under appreciated because they are so mundane. Yeah, not a fan of the household chores--dishwashing, laundry, bathroom cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, etc.




2. When did you last take a taxi somewhere and where was that somewhere? The last time I was in a taxi was in Long Beach, California.  I got a taxi to take the boys and myself to the aquarium. It was an interesting ride. I was truly glad to get out of that taxi.

3. What's something you can do today that you couldn't do a year ago?  See Turbo's teeth.  He got his braces off yesterday.  Pictures below.

4. How often is chicken (in some form or fashion) on your menu at home? Which of the following would you most like to see on your table tonight...a chicken salad sandwich, your mom's fried chicken, a Chick-fil-A meal, Cracker Barrel's chicken n' dumplings, a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings, or 'hold the chicken, I'm a vegetarian'...? We have chicken about once a week, sometimes more. It's an easy sell to the boys.  Given a choice--they boys would choose the Chic-fil-A, I would like the roast chicken dinner--especially if someone else was cooking.

5. What was your favorite television program when you were a kid? What characters do you remember the most? I vividly remember watching Scooby Doo after school. A lot of our TV watching was dictated by my step-father and he tended toward cop shows, so I spent more time reading than watching TV growing up.

6. What was the last piece of 'art' you made?  Um, does cooking count?  No? Hmm, art... Well, I was peripherally involved in Brusier's art themed birthday party, so probably then.

7. What frustrates you most about the Internet? The over sharing.  People lose all sense of dignity and privacy when they go on line it seems. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.So like I said above, Turbo got his braces off yesterday.
Last photo pre-braces.

Getting bracces.

Last photo with braces

Just look at the gorgeous smile.
To say he's excited to have them off is an understatement.  He entertained the ladies in the office yesterday because he just kept going on and on about how his teeth felt.  He's still marveling at them.

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Up to Random


And here we are at Tuesday. The week has been interesting so far.  We, both Nick and I got a bit of a bombshell at work yesterday.  It's all good, but was still a surprise. Yesterday was definitely a Monday the 13th.  So much scarier than a Friday the 13th, you don't see the Monday coming.
On to the random:
  • Turbo has an orthodontist visit today.  He may get his braces off. He's kind of excited about that. If he does, there will be pictures tomorrow--before and after.
  • A friend of Nick's was clearing space in his garage for newer toys and gave Nick an old cruiser bike.  I am now the proud owner of a campus cruiser.  
  • Bruiser has been loving our nicer weather--he likes to go play on his scooter.  Since we have a corner lot, he has plenty of sidewalk to cruise on.
  • This made my inner 12 year old giggle:
  • Yes, borderline inappropriate, but so funny at the same time.
  • Sleep is getting better, the moon isn't making my sleep so awful, but there are still those nights...
 
Have a great week everyone!

Join up for the Randomness with Stacy.
Stacy

Monday, April 13, 2015

Climbing Mt Laundry and MMMM

Yeah, so, this last weekend was all about the laundry.  I did mountains of it and still only got the clothes done.  I have towels and sheets to power through still. So not a fan of laundry.
Of course, we did do some other stuff this weekend.  Nick took the boys on a bike ride on the river path.  I went and hung out with the girls.  The weather was teasingly nice--just nice enough to be outside, but not nice enough to be outside for any length of time. It was windy again.

And now for MMMM:
There is a car theme this week.  Songs about cars or with cars in them.

David Ball with Riding With Private Malone:

Johnny Cash with One Piece at a Time:

Jerry Reed with Eastbound and Down:
Have a great week!

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Hodgepodge Time

1. Besides left over Easter goodies, what's something currently kept in a basket at your house? Bruiser's shoes and gloves and such are in a basket by the front door. It's far easier to keep track of them that way, especially when his room was in the basement.

2. 'The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.' ~Michelangelo Buonarroti 

So which one are you...the one who aims too high, or the one who aims too low? Have you ever seen The Sistine Chapel? Did you know Michelangelo's surname prior to answering this question?
I probably tend to aim too low.  Nick has been great for pushing me to succeed--he's so proud of the things I do accomplish.


Nope, I was aware that he had a surname, but not what it was.

3. April 7th is National Beer Day. Hmmm...wonder how that's celebrated? Do you like beer? Have a favorite? If you're not a beer drinker do you have any recipes you enjoy cooking that call for beer? We have become beer drinkers ever since Nick started brewing beer. I have found that I prefer darker beers and am not a fan of IPAs or really hoppy beers. Nick has brewed well over 250 gallons of beer in the last three years and most of it has been quite wonderful.

4. When did you last travel somewhere new? Tell us where? How'd it go? We went to the Black Hills and stayed at a campground last August.  Now we have been to the Black Hills before, but never at a campground.  It was really fun.

5. The value of _________________________is greatly overrated. Technology.  And by this I mean ability to be technologically connected at every moment of every day. It's like there's no real concept of privacy any more.

6. What's a pet peeve of yours when it comes to restaurant dining? An inattentive or, conversely, an over attentive waiter/waitress.  I like them to be on the ball, but they don't really need to hover either.

7. It's Poetry Month...share a favorite poem, either the title, a few lines you find meaningful, or the whole kit and caboodle.
I've always been a fan of Robert Service, so here's my favorite from him:

The Cremation of Sam McGee

By Robert W. Service
There are strange things done in the midnight sun
      By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
      That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
      But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
      I cremated Sam McGee.

Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.
Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.
He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."

On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.
Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.
If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.

And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,
And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,
He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."

Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:
"It's the cursèd cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.
Yet 'tain't being dead—it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."

A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;
And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.
He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.

There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,
With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;
It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."

Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.
In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.
In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows— O God! how I loathed the thing.

And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;
And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;
The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.

Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;
It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May."
And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."

Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;
Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;
The flames just soared, and the furnace roared—such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.

Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;
And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.
It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.

I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;
But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;
I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; ... then the door I opened wide.

And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;
And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.
It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm—
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm." 

There are strange things done in the midnight sun
      By the men who moil for gold;
The Arctic trails have their secret tales
      That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
      But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
      I cremated Sam McGee.


8. Insert your own random thought here. After that long poem, how about I keep this short and sweet--have a great week!

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Tuesday Time

And we are here at another Tuesday.  It's like some sort of routine.  Let's do this random thing:
  • We have an old lava lamp from way back when  Nick and I had first moved in together.  Isn't is standard to have one of those in your first apartment? Anyway, ours is residing in the basement and we have been using it as a sort of night light.  It gets turned on so we have light to see by when going to bed.  Then it gets turned off. It's a good way to use it.
  • love this:
  • Bruiser loves Batman. He's been dressing up in his Halloween costume recently.  His favorite shirts are Batman ones.  I suppose there are worse superheroes he could be interested in.
  • Turbo is really close to getting his braces off.  Then it's a round of retainers.  He's moderately excited by the prospect.
  • I need this sort of time out:
  • Speaking of superheroes: 
Have a great week everyone!
Join up for the Randomness with Stacy.
Stacy


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