We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

I'm up, so I'm going to Unconsciously Mutter:

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Resignation :: I Quit!
2. Coupling :: PVC
3. Grounded :: Based
4. Habit :: Pepsi
5. Chainsaw :: Massacre
6. Rental :: Car
7. Deleted :: Entry
8. Online personals :: Never tried them
9. Penguin :: Farrago
10. Offend :: Sorry

Question raised in Newsweek:

Was Shakespeare a She?

Good Saturday Morning!

And Susan is up with the Saturday Morning me! She's not been feeling well, so it makes my Saturday to see her up and posting! (What about Coach K, Susan? Do you think . . . ?)

Blog people are moving. Not their blogs this time, their physical locations. Rune is moving to California, and cyber brother Jeeem (three e's) is moving from China to Thailand. Yikes! (and here I sit) Kat isn't moving, but several family members are, and she blogs beautifully about the woes of separation.

MZ, queen of the Red Hats, is posting about her son's wedding (oops, almost spelled it weeding) in Las Vegas. JJ sure sounds like a handful!

Bryn says that's a "Buck Moon" out there. And . . . we have a blue moon this month. Yay!

We have a Holiday coming!
The company I work for allows six paid holidays. The second of the year is about to come up . . . good old 4th of July. It's on a Sunday this year, so we have the Monday off. (I'm glad you have it off too, otto!) Yum. A three-day holiday!

The last few weekends have been so busy that I've designed this weekend to be a relaxing, unwinding one. There will be fireworks on Saturday, at the mall. Back in the 1870's my great-great-grandmother and her two sons cleared some of the land where the mall is located. Mom played there as a child. That's kind of cool.

Monday we'll have a family picnic. I do so love picnics.

The rest of the time I'm gonna chill.

What's up for you this weekend?

Jennifer, at fortysomething, reminds us of the 26Things Project.

Uh-oh. Susan is sick. We need to send her some good thoughts!

Happy July 1st!

I hope this month finds you relaxing, just like this feller:

As always, monkey see, monkey do. Saw a blogpoll over at Adventure Journalist and had to play.

MandarinDesign

"Games and toys to play with . . . go get some!" ...

The Last Time

It's important to enjoy and be aware of the moments of our lives. We never know when something will be "the last time".

For example: I can't eat caramel apples anymore. The teeth just won't stand the workout. And for the life of me, I can't remember the "last" one I had. It really bugs me. I can remember the sweet/tart combination, the crisp/melting textures, but dang, I sure wish I could remember the final one. Where it took place. What time of year. Drat.

LiBEARty had fun too!

Eventually I'll have a weekend story up (or not, time is passing and we're almost into the 4th of July holiday weekend), but I did want to confirm that LiBEARty had a great time last Saturday and Sunday also. Here you see him lazing away on the pontoon boat.

I think June's busy times have caught up with me. I'm home this morning, with a bit of a bug. I'll head to work at 1:00 p.m. *sigh*

And it's a happy 2nd blogversary to Laura, who is heading home for the 4th of July holidays!

Mandarin meg is making me anxious for some quality blogging time so I can try out some of her new tricks. Wow!

Kane is back. And boy, does he have visuals.

Queen of the Procrastinators!

That's me. Here I am, Charity Tuesday morning, and I'm just now making the cupcakes for the bake sale today. Sheesh. Pineapple cupcakes with coconut frosting. Can you guess what our theme is?

The Charity this month is Juvenile Diabetes.

Are we having fun yet?

You are Long-wang!
Japanese Name: Seiryuu.


Which Chinese Mythological Being Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

link via Cindy Loo

Monday Madness

1. Bed & Breakfast or hotel? 1. Campground 2. Motel 3. Lodge 4. Hotel. I've only been to a Bed & Breakfast once, but it was not a positive experience. I guess I prefer to be more anonymous.
2. What determines where you stay?(i.e. price, accommodations, transportation, travel package) What we're doing is what determines where we stay. If we're doing the outdoor thing, and we're in Michigan, we usually camp. (Nothing better than the fresh air from tent camping in the woods.) If we're traveling, we usually motel it, with stops at well-known lodges or hotels if they have history that goes with them.
3. When determining where to stay, do you ever consider the establishment's history? (i.e. it might be haunted, location of high profile crime) Oops. See 2 above.
4. Would such considerations sway your decision? Sure
5. Do you try and read the local paper for where you're visiting, to get an idea of what the area's like? Absolutely.

It's A Good Thing.

It's a good thing to have a friend who handles her trip over to the "other side" of fifty by purchasing a fire engine red convertible. It's a very good thing.

What does this mean?

It means that if you were in the northwest portion of the lower peninsula of Michigan this weekend and saw three women with red feather boas riding in a fire engine red convertible with the top down you have seen Shirl the Pearl and her friends. In action. What a blast!

It's Sunday evening, we're back, and it's time for Unconscious Mutterings.

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Lounge :: Relax
2. Photograph :: yesterday
3. Catacomb :: Tomb
4. Crucifix :: Cross
5. Fire drill :: Chinese
6. Tube :: Lipstick
7. Dropped :: the ball
8. LTD :: limited
9. Panther :: cat
10. Formica :: Counter

And I'll also miss most of Sunday blogging . . . so let me be the first to wish bryn, at Celestial Offerings, a most happy birthday on Sunday, the 27th! Best Wishes, my dear blog friend!

There's not really that much to packing. Highs are anticipated in the mid-60's, lows lower. Jeans/tee shirts/sweat shirts. That should work!

I'll miss all the Saturday blogging. **pout** No internet at this cabin.

Whew. Found Glory Bear. Found my other little traveling bear, LiBEARty. Hiding in my Travel bag. Of course. Maybe my friends won't notice.

Yikes! Packing this early in the morning. Why am I such a procrastinator???

Gosh! I have a problem!

Miz Glory Bear and I have been invited up north, up to "Hemingway Country" for the weekend. Only problem is . . . I don't know where Miz Glory Bear has gotten off to since I last saw her in Montana. I think I have a back-up bear somewhere. I hope so, because Glory was specifically invited, and well, I wouldn't want to lose my invitation.

Hemingway always makes me think of the broken cadence clank of canadian crutches. And of a blue-eyed fisherboy who used Hemingway as a pick-up line. Strange how certain authors get embedded in our life stories.

Well, it's nighty-night time.

(P.S. Did Glory Bear sneak over to your place?)

HAPPY BIRTHDAYKATHRYN

Second up on the birthday wishes list is Kathryn! Now, if I have this right, both susan and Kathryn are "Third Daughters" and both have the same birthday. I think that's pretty cool!

Wishing you the best this day and in the coming year, Kathryn!

HAPPY BIRTHDAYSUSAN!!

June 24th is a big birthday day on my blogroll. First up is susan of oz . . . and while it's the morning of the 24th here, over on the other-side-of-the-world it's the end of the day. Hope it was a happy happy birthday, susan dear!

What was the first photograph (or snapshot or whatever) that you made?

That Was a Close Call!

I like to visit our local arboretum and track the deer that reside there. Yesterday I was out on what I think of as the "bluebird" path now. I spotted a deer grazing in the distance, near the tree line. I was watching her, strolling along when I heard a loud rustle on the other side of the path. A LOUD rustle. I looked, and there was a bushy white with black tail . . . very close. Yep, a skunk!!! OH S*IT!!! I quickly turned back on the path. The skunk did not follow.

Whew.

bluebird - 1688, N.Amer. warbler-like bird, from blue in reference to its plumage + bird. Fig. use in bluebird of happiness is from 1909 play romance "l'Oiseau bleu," lit. "The Blue Bird," by Belgian dramatist and poet Maurice Maeterlinck (1862-1949).

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a
wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine
Headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-ay

Mr. Bluebird's on
my shoulder
It's the truth
It's "act-ch'll"
Everything is
"satisfact-ch'll"
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah
Zip-a-dee-ay
Wonderful fellin'
Wonderful day

Morning!

C L A S S

Let's start out with a little Monday Madness!

Do you prefer....
1. Long hair or Short hair? Is this on a male or female? Or for myself? Oh great, I can see I'm going to be in one of those questioning moods today. For myself: medium, between chin and shoulder length.
2. Contacts or Glasses? Glasses
3. Spring or Autumn? Spring
4. Mittens or Gloves? Gloves
5. Car or Truck/SUV? Car
6. Mac or Windows? Doesn't matter
7. Cats or Dogs? Cats
8. Rock or Jazz? Rock
9. Pen or Pencil? Pen
10. DVD's or VHS's? VHS . . . I am SOO behind the times!

Happy Father's Day
My Dad has been gone 22 years now. He was a good man, a man who loved his family and his God, and who liked the Detroit Tigers, tinkering with cars, gardening, bird-watching, malt-balls, camping, swimming, pork chops, flannel shirts, his easy chair, hiking, and chasing deer.

Some things are just in the blood, I guess.

There are awesome storm pictures at the Adventure Journalist's.

How to make a shirl the pearl

Ingredients: 3 parts success 5 parts humour 1 part instinct

Method: Layer ingredientes in a shot glass. Add a little cocktail umbrella and a dash of caring

Username:

Personality cocktail
From Go-Quiz.com

[link via bryn, who will soon have a birthday!]

Snoozing Dreams.

I slipped back into bed this morning for a little catnap that turned into a two hour sleep. Strange strange dream. I was driving north on Aurelius and all of a sudden my steering wheel and part of the shaft blew off the car, the roof was gone, and I was closing my eyes praying. Now why I didn't hit the brake I just don't know. However, the car did stop, right by the light, but in the middle lane and then I was thinking "oh great, now I have to push it". Anyway, good Sunday Morning to you!

Sunday again, so we're Unconsciously Muttering!

I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Abundance :: United States
2. Casino :: Mt. Pleasant
3. Shell :: Beach
4. Overpriced :: Gasoline
5. Cancellation :: Flight
6. Eternal :: Life
7. Lyrics :: Words
8. Faith :: Hope
9. Because :: Why?
10. Wimp :: Me

Firefly Day is Over.

This was our family's 4th Annual Firefly Day. Firefly Day consists of challenges, a snackie type meal, and searching for fireflies. Well, everything went off without a hitch, except . . . the fireflies were a no show. That was okay, because we had glow lights in case the little critters didn't show up. And it was doubly okay, because due to the immediacy of blogging, I knew the fireflies were down in North Carolina, pestering Susan, and she, kindly soul that she is, catches and releases them when they enter her premises. So we'll see them soon, and thanks for the update, Susan!

It's also a chilly night up here in Michigan. Heading to the 40's tonight. Brrr. Not so good for air conditioning sales!

Sleep well!

Great cat blogging, Pandora!

Cheeky Chris has surfaced again at his new home! Give me back my money, kiddo!

It's Saturday, so be sure to stop by Susan's for her Saturday Morning me. Meanwhile, susan on the other-side-of-the-world has just started her holidays!

Rune is looking at Shiny Circular things and contemplating some major life moves.

I'm researching LOTR (specifically Orlando Bloom) for a game we're playing this afternoon. Found this:

Frodo Baggins If I were a character in The Lord of the Rings, I would be Frodo, Hobbit, heir of Bilbo and humble keeper of the One Ring. In the movie, I am played by Elijah Wood. Who would you be? Zovakware Lord of the Rings Test

And of Course, Orlando Bloom Leads to Troy, leads to Brad Pitt, leads to Achilles as my new Wallpaper.

Okay, gotta run! Later!

FIRE

At the Movies.

Maybe I'd better stick with chasing deer.

Last week I took in the sneak premier of The Notebook, based on the Nicholas Sparks book. Hmmm. I like pop fiction as much as the next person, but I can never get into Nicholas Sparks' stories. I love his personal story, about writing through rejection, but . . .
(Oh wait, interesting (to me) footnote as I IMDB the movie. Directed by Nick Cassavetes, who is the son of Gena Rowlands. She co-stars along with James Garner.)

Tonight I saw The Terminal. I must really be in a mood, because I had trouble sitting still through it. Argh. Fascinating premise for a storyline. Tom Hanks was perfect. I just couldn't stay put.

Maybe I'd better stick with chasing deer.

...I think Mandarin meg knows I can't pass up a pull quote...

I've never seen a pull quote over at Mandarin Design that I didn't like, and that I didn't want to play with. If you haven't swiped some of meg's stuff . . . please go do it now. Just don't tell her I sent ya! *grin*

Thank you for the nice postcard! Snail mail is always appreciated! Glad you enjoyed Harry Potter. . . at least someone is enjoying movies these days!

Tomorrow night is "Firefly Night". So far only one firefly has been spotted. We have a back-up plan though . . . we laid in a big supply of 4" lightbars.

Big News! Second niece is engaged!!! They're dropping like flies, I tell ya! And I couldn't be happier!

Thinking of you!

Our thoughts and prayers are with Karen this morning as she's having surgery. She's such a vivacious blogger . . . we hope to see her back up soon!

Okay, I know Novus and Novi.

How about Nevus and Nevi?

Always something new to learn.

Ack! I had computer problems and couldn't post since yesterday morning. It's good to be back, and remember . . . we're So Happy It's Thursday!

Happy Hump Day! I did see and hear James Gleick last night (before the basketball game). More later!

Until the Pistons. Their motto is "Goin' to Work. Every Day." They win by playing as a team, rebounding and suffocating opponents defensively.

Work works! Yay!

Lonely sounds.

Midnight train.
Doves cooing. (I know, it's pathetic, but they always sound mournful to me.)
Wind soughing through the pine trees when you're walking in the woods alone.

Yours?

Go Pistons!!

You too can make a portrait. Go here for the fun. (We're just doing what Mandarin meg told us to do!)

James Gleick is promoting his new book, Isaac Newton, at Schulers this p.m. If I'm not too tired after work I think I'll mosey out that way. I have enjoyed his Genius: The Life and Science of Richard Feynman and Chaos. (Oddly, the Richard Feynman has some interesting tips on safe-cracking.)

And . . . hope your Tuesday goes well!

FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES FIREFLIES

Firefly Watch.

We're preparing for our 4th Annual Firefly Day up here in Michigan, a day when the cousins gather and do challenges and eat obnoxious things and chase fireflies. One year one of the challenges was to write haiku. Here is an example:
My head feels funny
My stomach is acting strange
Oh no I threw up.

We have a problem, though: no fireflies have yet been sighted. Please weigh in with how your neck of the woods fares with the "lightning bug". (And if you have a photograph of one . . . well, that would be awesome!)

I always enjoy Bobbi's artwork, but this one in particular says "yesterday" to me.

It's the Monday Madness' Birthday! Happy birthday, otto!

According to my statistics, I have made 52 posts here for Monday Madness; this means we are celebrating our one-year birthday here! I thought it would be fun to do something a little special this week (and after consulting sherle) I've come up with this....

Using the following letters, name birthday-related words; nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, phrases; they are all allowed! Have fun!! =)

H Hats
A Applause
P Party
P Presents
Y Yesterday (remembering)

B Baby
I Idyllic (uhh...)
R Ripe
T Three blogger friends this month!
H Happy
D Denial
A Aging
Y Yelling

Well, this hibernation weekend worked out quite well. Sometimes they don't. I hibernate, but still feel icky come the end of the weekend. This one I feel rested and ready to hit the work week with . . . well, ready to hit the work week. *smile*

Ai-yi-yi. Come on, Pistons!

For those of you who like a verbal challenge, take this vocabulary test.
[link via Random Again]

Sunday, so it must be Unconscious Mutterings time.

I say ... and you think ... ?

Colorblind :: red/green
Shallow :: end of the pool
Erotica :: smile
Figment :: of my imagination
Eviction :: notice
Composed :: written
Chill :: fever
Girl :: boy
California :: dreaming
Bond :: James Bond

Why I like my town:

I live in Lansing, the Capital city of Michigan, and we have the coolest mayor. His family moved here from Mexico in 1952 as migrant workers. This is from his official biopage:

As migrant farm workers who did not speak English, Tony and his family worked where they were not required to speak the language. During summers, Tony worked in the fields of Stockbridge until he was 18, and would return there as a volunteer in subsequent years.

With a large family to support, Mayor Benavides’ parents asked him to seek work to help support his family. He worked as a bag boy for Schmidt’s Brothers Hometown Markets in Lansing, owned by Bud Schmidt. Schmidt was Mayor Benavides’ mentor, and believed the best individuals work smarter, not harder.

While working at Schmidt’s, Mayor Benavides attended Sexton High School and graduated at age 20. He attended Michigan State University and graduated with a degree in public administration and management. He also attended Lansing Community College and Lansing Business University.

He's just so unlike the smartly slicked glad-handers that so often run for office. Yesterday, there he was at the Chili-fest. He was without entourage, and appeared to be leaving. Guess where he was going to? Yep, the ballet recital. He had relatives involved in that. (I still got there before him.)
Ballet recital was lovely! We've been going to these things for nine years now, and we all agreed that this year was the best yet. And oh, what a cute cowardly lion there was!

Later, gators!

And So The Sun Sets

Tired. I'm not complaining, well, that's not really true, I guess I am, but . . .

Things get so busy this time of year, and I love to partake of all the fun things, but I'm overdone right now. Naomi was talking about following a busy weekend with some downtime: I heartily understand. (Speaking of naomi: she has a photoblog here (love the cow)
and from her photoblog link list I found A Walk Through Durham Township.)

Tomorrow night is the Chili Festival and the nieces' dance recital. And then it's hibernation time for ol' Aunt Owwee.

you are THE DRAGON! you're often misunderstood, but
are actually quite flirtatious and romantic


what shrek character are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

[via Lumbering Soul]

This seems to be a night for quizzes.

Well, now . . . I'm surprised! Got to look at what the possible results are, I guess.

Take the quiz: "Which American City Are You?"

Las Vegas
You Shine bright and partake in all the vices. You'd rather burn out than fade away.

[Link via Roscoe]

S. H. I. T. Day

Always learning from our fellow bloggers. Susan explains: So Happy It's Thursday.

The little art vehicles that crop up are part of the Downtown Lansing's Third Annual Sculpture in the Streets. In its first two years, the Sculpture in the Streets involved a showing of Seward Johnson's bronze realistic sculptures. They were fun to look at, but the local art scene wanted (rightfully) more input. This year General Motors donated 20 fiberglass mini-vehicles, and art teams got creative. Lots of fun.

And remember . . . we're so happy it's Thursday!

M I N D

Playing with Mandarin Design Stuff . . . again

...gather ye rosebuds
while ye may
old time is still a passing
and this same flower which blooms today...

Good Tuesday Morning

So here we are, playing with some cool stuff from Mandarin Design again. And it's Tuesday, and I have to work five days today this week (sorry, it was early when I typed this), so I'm in a bit of a grumpy mood. **mumble mumble**

The baby of the nieces "graduated" from elementary school last night. The rosebuds keep passing. (Doting auntie note: She won the Principal's award)

Have I mentioned my brother Boo lately? Boo and Ruby are Dad and Mom to the "three nieces" that live in town. Boo is a big lug of a guy (he played center on his high school and college football teams) and spends his days selling paint to contractors. But by night . . . he's Daddy to three adorable girls.

He always cracks me up this time of year. This is "recital" time for the three girls, they all take dance. And there Boo is in the middle of things, working on scenery, manning the lights, and those big old fingers of his adjusting ballerina hairdos when necessary. He's quite a guy.

Big thanks to Michelle at Mandarin for this good stuff.

Some Monday Madness before the real madness starts!

It's Monday again; so let's have some fun!

1. In your opinion, what is the perfect temperature? 72 degrees, but please don't tell my boss. I work for a heating and air conditioning company in Michigan . . . we need a few 90 degree days to get the customers buying (okay, quit laughing you folks in the warmer climates who seldom see less than 90 degree days!!!) Last year we only had one 90 degree day all summer and it wasn't good for business.
2. If you have a garden, what do you plant in it? If not, what would you plant in it? I have a balcony garden that I plant with varied annuals depending on my mood.
3. What is your favorite summertime beverage? Anything cold in my iced cup.
4. How many times a year do you rearrange your living room? once
5. How fast do you drive in a '55 mile-an-hour' zone? You probably wouldn't want to be behind me. 55-60.
6. How many minutes per day do you usually talk on the phone? Between work and home, approximately one hour.
7. What is your favorite software program? hmmmm.
8. How many music cd's do you own? Not many. Less than twenty I would say.
9. How many memes do you participate in on a regular basis? 3. This one, Unconscious Mutterings, and Susan's Saturday Morning Me.
10. Name 3 blogs that you have on your 'blogroll' list. (any 3.) Pick any three *smile*

Riverwalks

2004 Riverwalk. Lansing, Michigan.

Riverwalk, San Antonio, Texas. via Roscoe Ellis.

Is there a Riverwalk in your community?

Yesterday was a milestone day. My mother, who is 75, completed a 5K Walk. This is the lady who just last summer would get tired after walking three blocks to look at downtown art. Way to go, Mom! And a big thanks to Susan and Roscoe for their tips . . . they shirley did help!

Sunday, so it's time for Unconscious Mutterings!

Week 70
I say ... and you think ... ?

Charity :: Donation
Scale :: the enemy
Jennifer Lopez :: too much information
Coercion :: bribe, force
Meter :: reader
Pressure :: Gauge
June :: fireflies
Infestation :: bugs
Serial killer :: evil
Anguish :: pain

Just wanted to get this in before the day is over.

The way I write dates, today is 06/05/04. I just thought that was kind of cool.

Headed for a nap!

Yep, Mom and I did the Mayor's Walk this morning. This afternoon I rambled about town for the "Be a Tourist In Your HomeTown" gig. Right now, I'm heading for a nap. Carry on!

You're taffy!! You're a clever and kind person,
but you tend to hold grudges. You are not big
on dishing out forgiveness.


Which kind of candy are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

So I guess I have Scott to thank for this result!

The Completely Pointless Personality Quiz

Well, gosh, Naomi! See what you made me do!?!

I finally got it, meg! The div is that simple. Thank you. And yes, it is true . . . I am jealous of your flip-flops.

T.G.I.F!

These four-day work weeks are cool!
Bryn sends us here for some really really unusual quizzes!

So what's on the schedule for your weekend?

Posterized

COLOR ME A PROUD AUNTEE

Tonight was the 8th grade Awards Concert for Orchestra and Band. My niece Glory is a violist in the orchestra. She also won the Director's Award this year. It's not for the "best" musician, but it's for the person who tries the hardest, who gives the most. She has musical aspirations. She has good, solid, basic talent, but I suspect it will be the "perspiration" part that will see her through to a few dreams fulfilled.

Group dynamics fascinate me. Why is it that some groups build the group members up, and other groups tear the members down. Glory's Grade School class was a vibrant bunch of kids. They had a super Principal (who left the same year the kids went to middle school), they had fantastic parent support, and the kids appeared to be heavily weighted with brightness and talent.

Tonight, three of the four awards went to kids from that elementary school. (And of course we had to give Glory grief ... the band Director's Awardee had told her Dad back in kindergarten that "I love Glory, Mr. P . . . ") Ah well. As I say, colour me proud.

Thursday Already!

WittBits has comments. Stop in and say hey! Mz is the queen of the red-hatters.

Rune has a tender story about an opossum.

And susan on the other-side-of-the-world has a new job! Congrats!

Exquisite is exactly the right word, Anne.
[link via Fishbucket]

Good Evening.

We're watching the sun set in Montana, at Many Glacier in Glacier National Park. Isn't the web cool, letting us scramble all around the globe? By the way, the Going-to-the-Sun Road is open. (But beware of winter driving conditions. And bears.)

Y E S T E R D A Y

June. Such a lovely month.

And Tuesday already . . . yikes!