Joy AND Sadness

As you know, I've been very distracted for the past month --dealing with my left knee problem. Anyhow--during that time, our Bluebirds must have decided to nest in the new Bluebird Nestbox in our backyard. After the Chickadees and Bluebirds fought over the nest a couple of months ago, neither took it. SO--it had been empty for quite awhile.

This morning George walked by the nestbox (for another reason) and a Bluebird flew out.... He came and told me---and of course, I got VERY excited... I made him open the nest to see what was going on.. Surprise!!! There are about 4 baby birds in that nest.. SO--I'm gonna be a Grammy again this Summer!!!! YEAH!!!

I sat on the deck for awhile this afternoon trying to get some pictures... Mom and Dad were taking turns going back and forth feeding the little ones.. I managed to get a few pictures ---but hopefully I will get LOTS more before and when they fledge.

Above is Mama Bluebird coming out of the nest... (They are so quick that it's hard to catch them in a photo.) Below are a few more pictures!!!!

Daddy Bluebird comes to the nest to check out his babies. Mom and Dad take turns going back and forth taking care of them.

I just had to include this picture even though it's sorta blurry.... One of Dad's jobs is to carry the 'fecal sac' away from the nest (far away). See it in his mouth? Bluebirds are VERY clean birds --and when all of them leave the nest, we will find it almost as clean as when they first got there. Daddy keeps those babies' diapers changed regularly!!!! ha

Here's a cute picture of Daddy Bluebird at the nestbox. I'm sure he and his lady are proud of their babies!!!! I'll keep you posted on this JOY.

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On a very sad note, a very good blog friend of mine, Eileen Brown, from British Columbia. lost her husband, Daryl, this week. Eileen and I have been blog friends since November of 2008 ---even BEFORE I joined Blogger. She is one of my very first blog friends--and she means so much to me.

Eileen and her hubby had only been married five years (would have been six in August) ---so we had something special in common, since George and I have only been married almost nine years. We both felt as if we had found a very special love-of-our-life in our 'golden' years. We always enjoyed talking about our Sweethearts with one another. The one difference was that this was the first marriage for both Eileen and Daryl. They had no children---but have an adorable dog named Mingus.

Eileen had gone to visit an ill sister when her husband died. He was only 60 and had been in very good health. He worked six months out of the year doing fire weather forecasting. No one knows yet what happened to Daryl, but apparently, he died very suddenly (maybe from a massive heart attack).

When I read Eileen's post, I just burst into tears. Life is so precious --and none of us know how long we are going to be on this earth. This has just devasted me. I wish I could meet Eileen and give her a big hug. We haven't met ---but she is one special lady. Don't let anyone ever tell you that blog friends are not that important. They ARE--and I have some GREAT friends for life I'm sure.

If you have a few minutes, please go to Eileen's blog and leave her a comment. I'm sure she'll appreciate knowing that so many of us in Blog World are thinking about her and praying for her. Click HERE to visit Eileen's blog (Cicero Sings).

Hugs,

"Finer than Frog Hair"

Are there funny or strange sayings that you remember from one of your relatives, or from your childhood??? My sweet Daddy (who died in 1969) used to always say if anyone asked how he was, "I'm just finer than frog hair"..... I used to think that was so funny ---but I never did know where he got that expression. Years later, long after he died, I read that expression on a list of old sayings.... SO---I guess it didn't originate with him (like I thought it had). But all of through the years, I gave him credit for saying something so funny ---and yet strange.... (How fine is frog hair anyhow??????)

My friend GINNY from Virginia was talking in her blog yesterday about SALT... I had to tell her about another of these old sayings: "Throw salt over your shoulder for good luck". Have you heard that one???? Anyhow, her blog made me start thinking about all of these old sayings, many of which I have heard, off and on all of my life... SO---I thought I'd share a few of them with you today. I'm sure you can add some to this group, and I hope you do....

1. "Flat as a Flitter" (What in the heck is a flitter???)

2. That's as "Fast as All-Get-Out" (I heard this one growing up also...)

3. Here's a funny one: "If things get any better, I may have to hire someone to help me enjoy it."

4. "You look like somethin' the cat dragged in."

5. "Now---that's a fine how-do-you-do!!!"

6. "He was movin' so slow, dead flies wouldn't fall off 'im."

7. "I'm gonna slap you so hard, when you quit rollin' your clothes will be outta style."

9. "I'm as mad as a mule chewin' on bumblebees." (Yipes)

10. This one is BAD... Sorry!!!! "She's so ugly they had to tie a pork chop around her neck to get the dog to play with her."

11. Are you ever THIS busy? "Busy as a stump-tailed cow in fly time"

12. And my fav: "Well----butter my butt and call me a biscuit"..... ha ha ha

NOW---tell me some of your favorite old sayings!!!!

Hope you had a great weekend.

Hugs,

P.S. All pictures today came from the internet!!!

Ah---The English Language

I've always been fascinated with words--especially words that have so many meanings. It always makes me wonder how anyone from another country can EVER learn our language...

This cute forward about 'words' is from friend Pat. I thought it was cute enough to share!!!! ENJOY!


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There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is 'UP.'

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP ?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP ? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friend, we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this up is confusing: A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP!

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP ..

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets UP the earth. When it doesn't rain for awhile, things dry UP .

One could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP for now as my time is UP, so ....

Time to shut UP .....!


Oh...one more thing:!
What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?

U P


(Spell it---if you don't get it!!!!!!!!!!!!) Tee hee hee!!!!!

Don't screw 'up'. Share this with your friends and family!!

Have a great weekend.
Hugs,

What did you mean??????

My friend, Reida, sent me these 'cuties' through an email... I'm sure you have read some or all of them before, but they still can bring a smile to your face---or maybe a confused look!!!! I have added some photos from the internet. ENJOY!!!

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter 

(Well, let's see. How can that be????)
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Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says 

(Really? Ya think?)


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Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers 

(Now that's taking things a bit far, don't you think?! )

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Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over 

(What a guy!)


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Miners Refuse to Work after Death 

(Well---Those 'good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's! )

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Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant 

(See if that works any better than a fair trial!) 

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War Dims Hope for Peace 

(I can see where it might have that effect! )

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If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile 

(Ya think?! )

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Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures 

(Who would have thought! )


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Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide 

(They may be on to something! )

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Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges 

(You mean there's something stronger than duct tape? Tee Hee) 

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Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge 

(He probably IS the battery charge! )


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New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group 

(Weren't they fat enough?! )

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Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft 

(That's what he gets for eating those beans!) 


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Kids Make Nutritious Snacks 

(Do they taste like chicken?)

________________________________________


Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half 

(Chainsaw Massacre all over again!) 

________________________________________


Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors 

(Boy, are they tall!)

_________________________________________


And the winner is.... 

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead 

(Did I read that right? )



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These are really funny, but sorta sad ---if you think about it. People are 'hired' to proof-read this kind of stuff BEFORE it gets printed.... Wonder if these 'proof-readers' took their morning pills from the Duh Can?????? Heaven help us!!!!!


Have a wonderful day---and be careful what you put in writing!!!!! Har Har Har

Hugs,

What has Happened to MANNERS?

I realize that I'm an OLD WOMAN ---but my mother taught me good manners. I hope I passed this on to my sons--and I hope they pass it on to their children. BUT--somewhere along the line, manners seem to have 'gone out the window'!!!! What has happened??? It really worries me since I see this rudeness and lack of manners in MANY adults today. IF the adults act this way, their children and grandchildren will definitely pick up on it, and they will act the same way as they grow up. Scary, isn't it?????





"Please don't be rude. Where are your manners?"




Here are some of the ways I have experienced rudeness from adults lately:
1. CELLPHONES: One of my biggest pet peeves is seeing adults on cellphones 24/7... They also talk LOUDLY --and it always happens when we are eating a nice dinner at a restaurant. Gads--what are they thinking!??







Last week, we were eating at the KFC when a young mother came in to get a take-out order of chicken. She had a child (about age 5 or 6) at her side --and was talking LOUDLY on the cellphone. The child was screaming to get Mama's attention ---begging for some mashed potatoes with his chicken. Mama stopped talking on her cell just long enough to place her order. The child kept screaming --but Mama went right back to that 'important' cellphone conversation. A few minutes later, she got her order and left---with the child continuing to scream. And guess what??? When she left, she was STILL talking on the cellphone. Unbelievable!!!!


One more thing which bothers me about cellphones is when you are with someone ---and THEY take a phone call or get a text message while you are trying to enjoy their company. To me --this is totally rude and unacceptable.


2. RUDENESS: George and I visit our local Kroger's Store on Wednesdays because we Seniors get a 5% discount that day. WELL--- why do so many Seniors (NOT us of course--ha) meet in the middle of a grocery isle and have a long conversation----as if they haven't seen each other for a day or two?????? When I say "Excuse Me" ---they look at me as if I've called their mother a bad name! PUH-LEASE---just move out of the isles!!!!! That's just RUDE.





OR---even worse than that is someone (99% of the time a woman) who leaves her buggy in the center of the isle ---so that you can't get by her while she leisurely shops all around.. Ugh!!!









Here's one more incident along this line. We were standing in a long line of people waiting to check out at Lowe's recently. The woman in front of us didn't even bother to look for her checkbook UNTIL the clerk gave her her total. She fumbled around --finally pulling out the checkbook. It seemed to take her 15 minutes (maybe not that long---but surely about 13) to find the checkbook, a pen (which was buried in her purse also), and then another fumbling time searching for her driver's license to show some identification. I tried to be patient (which is not my best virtue) ---but I kept wondering if that woman even realized that there were many of us waiting to check out behind her. She was oblivious to what was going on around her. Where were her manners????? (I kept quiet---so at least, one of us had some manners!!!)



3. LACK of RESPECT: This happened a year or so ago when George and I were eating dinner at the Cumberland Mountain State Park Restaurant. The tables were close together there, but I am always aware of others sitting nearby. Some lady sat behind me ---and gave my chair a big BUMP---not just once but several times. The first time, I turned around and "I" said, "I'm sorry." She said NOTHING. Well---it kept happening ---and I kept moving my chair closer to my table. She never ONCE said anything to me ---but her actions certainly made for a not-so-great dinner for me. I left and didn't say anything to her---but I probably should have.


My kids would probably say to me: "Mom, just ignore them, and get over it." BUT--since I grew up learning to say things like I'm Sorry, or Excuse Me, or Please, or Thank You----along with some basic manners which should come naturally to all of us ----well, it bothers me to see people (especially adults ) being so oblivious to others around them, and truly showing no respect.



What are some of the things which may have happened to you where people don't seem to use good manners???? Is it just ME???? Should I just ignore them???? Hmmmmmm---lots of things to think about here!!!!! BUT--in the meantime, I'll get back to my 'joyful' life--and go outside and smell the roses!!! HA HA!



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On another note, did anyone see "Three Rivers" on TV last night (CBS) with Mandy Patinkin????? Oh My Gosh-----so very, very sad, but a fabulous show. I cried my eyes out!!!

Hugs,

P.S. ALL of the pictures I have used today are from the INTERNET.

Are you Superstitious?

Today is Friday, the 13th.... Are you superstitious????? Here are some popular superstitions.
1. Breaking a mirror will bring you seven years of bad luck.

2. Walking under a ladder will bring you bad luck. (I love the picture below, especially this month!!!)

3. Knock on Wood if you want good luck.
4. Black Cats crossing in front of you will bring you bad luck.

5. Blessing someone when they sneeze will bring them good luck and good health.
6. If you spill some salt, immediately pick it up and throw it over your left shoulder--unless you want to experience bad luck.
7. Lucky Rabbit's Foot---if you carry it, you will have good luck.
8. Opening an umbrella inside will bring bad luck.
9. If your left palm itches, you may receive money. If your right palm itches, you may have to PAY money.
10. Crossing your fingers will bring you good luck.

11. Hold your breath as you pass by a cemetery--or else you will breathe in the soul of someone who has recently passed away.
12. A horseshoe hung over your door will bring you good fortune.

13. When you break a turkey wishbone, the person with the biggest piece will have good luck.
14. Finding a four-leaf clover will bring you good luck.

15. Don't step on a crack or you'll break your grandmother's back.


How many of these have you heard???? Do you believe superstitions??? I always worried when a black cat ran across in front of me... I used to cross my fingers when I wanted some good luck... I had never heard of the cemetery one before!!!!


Whatever you do today, I hope that you have a healthy and happy and SAFE Friday, the 13th--and I wish for you LOTS of GOOD LUCK.

Hugs,

P.S. All of the above pictures came from the internet!!

Getting Through the "Storms" of Life

After going through a couple of days of sadness (due to the tragedies at Fort Hood and Orlando), I found the neatest story to share today---a story about unconditional love. I hope this story will have meaning for you in your life today.




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HOW TO DANCE IN THE RAIN


It was a busy morning, about 8:30, when an elderly gentleman in his 80's arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He said he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 am.


I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing it would be over an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On exam, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redress his wound.


While taking care of his wound, I asked him if he had another doctor's appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry.! The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I inquired as to her health.


He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer's Disease. As we talked, I asked if she would be upset if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him in five years now.


I was surprised, and asked him, 'And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?'


He smiled as he patted my hand and said,
'She doesn't know me, but I STILL KNOW WHO SHE IS.'


I had to hold back tears as he left, I had goose bumps on my arm, and thought, 'That is the kind of love I want in my life.'


True love is neither physical, nor romantic.
True love is an acceptance of all that is, has been, will be, and will not be.




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All of my adult life, I have tried to live by the statement which is printed at the top of my blog. Here it is for you to read again: "Life is all about choices and attitude. Make the right choices, keep a positive attitude-- and you will find joy through all of your ups and downs. "


How do you get through the 'storms' of life? Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain.


Hugs,

The Truth about Hugs

A good friend sent me this-- so I thought I would share it with all of YOU.


THE TRUTH ABOUT HUGS
There's no such thing as a bad hug, only good ones and GREAT ones!!!

Hugs are non-fattening and they don't cause cancer or cavities!
Hugs are all natural with no preservatives, artificial ingredients or pesticide residue!
Hugs are cholesterol-free, naturally sweet, 100% wholesome---and they are a completely renewable resource!
Hugs are easy to care for, they don't require batteries, tune-ups or X-rays!

Hugs are non-taxable, fully returnable and energy efficient!
Hugs are safe in all kinds of weather.
In fact, Hugs are especially good for cold and rainy days.
AND--Hugs are exceptionally effective in treating problems, like bad dreams or Monday blues!!!


Never wait until tomorrow to hug someone you could hug today, because when you give one, you get one right back your way!!!!





Send someone special a HUG. I JUST DID---to YOU!!!!! Can you feel it??? I truly cannot thank each of you enough for your kinds words after the death of my brother. Besides all of the comments, I received cards, emails and even a poem. I feel so blessed to consider each of you as a very special friend. Thanks again!

Hugs to ALL,

Be Wise---Keep on Learning!

The older I get, the more I realize just how much I still don't know. I continue to learn ---and when I learn one thing, then I realize how many other things I still don't know. It's like hiking up a mountain. When I go one step forward, sometimes I take two backward...


Someone sent me these little sayings --so I decided to share them with you today. We all can learn from them!!!!!











I've learned....That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.









I've learned....That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.









I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.









I've learned....That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?









I've learned....That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.









I've learned....That the less time I have to work, the more things I get done.


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Which one of these do you relate with the most? Which one jumps out at you right now???? I was always one of those multi-tasker-type people--who could get alot done in a short period of time. But--in the process of being so darn busy throughout most of my adult life, I forgot to 'stop and smell the roses'.... Now that I'm 'retired'---I DO take time to enjoy the roses, the birds, waterfalls, and just being out in nature.


So---I guess for me now, I relate more to the toilet paper one. My life is flying by---WAY too fast. The closer I get to the end of life, the faster it continues to go. BUT---my old body doesn't always want to keep riding that old train, even though my heart wants to keep doing more and more. My questions, as I continue to learn and grow, are : "How can I continue to learn as this life flies by, and how can I stay physically and mentally able to keep on riding????"

I'm going to stay on that train and keep on keeping on, as long as I possibly can!!!! How 'bout you??????


Hugs,

P.S. All pictures in today's post came from the internet.