. . And That's When the Fight Started

My choice for today is to either blog or work on my blog format. No mystery as to my choice.

A few days ago I made the command decision to spread the last of the winter black oil sunflower seeds on the ground outside the window. My idea was to clean up the winter seeds and watch the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks clean them up. They have been having a feast with no bickering. Everyone ate together in peace. The seeds are almost gone - only an occasional one can be found. This morning the squirrel with the white spot on its ear was searching for 'left-overs' when another squirrel slipped up and began hunting seeds, too. That's when the fight began. I didn't know that those varmints are vicious. They ran through the trees, shrubs, onto the shed roof, and all over the yard. White Spot won the battle, the war, and the spoils of war. Doesn't take much to entertain me.

That's the high point of my day. Now on to today's cooking adventure. It's hamburger and the trimmings at Old Fart's House this evening. Tonight is "Lost" night and I want all my chores done before it starts. Last night was "Saving Grace" night. Both these shows are in their last season. When they are over I hope I don't get hooked on whatever follows.

Hope everyone is well and happy today.

I really wanted to work on my blog format but it ain't gonna happen today and maybe not tomorrow either.

One of the side effects of my meds is that they can make me light headed at times. Errr-that's MORE light headed that my normal self. This morning it happened. I was bringing cups of coffee for Harry and myself when the room took a spin and I lost my balance. I knew what was happening so I relaxed my knees and sunk to the floor. On the way down I gave the large ficus tree a good shake and landed with my hands and both cups of coffee in an empty cardboard box. No coffee hit the floor, the tree only lost a few leaves, and Harry's coffee cup was still over half full. It scared Harry half to death. I was afraid that he was going to have a heart attack for real!! Managing my fall by sinking to the floor kept me from being injured. I may (or not) develop a bruise on my arm where it came in contact with the container housing the tree. I guess I could develop soreness but as of now I don't feel like I will. Hey! Notice that I didn't make a big mess with broken cups and spilled coffee. It was a neat fall - no mess to clean up. After everything settled down Harry said, "I knew it wasn't going to be a good outcome when I saw the tree pushing the table and the table pushing the boxes."

Sunday Gathering Day will be fun. we'll have something to talk and laugh about. Harry and I already had a good laugh. The salad is made, chicken breast and thighs are in the oven, green beans and corn are ready to finish shortly. Dessert will have to be ice cream and cookies today. The kids will love that and the old folks can make do.

We usually watch or at least keep up with the Sunday NASCAR race. It's a bummer when the race is delayed due to weather. Yep, we're rednecks.

Oven is buzzing - gotta go. Hope everyone is having a good day. No time to re-read. Hope there aren't too many errors.

Nothing

Surprise, surprise! I started the "upgrade the look of my blog" initiative. This is as far as I got - maybe I'll do more later. I don't like the big blank space at top right.

I've been sitting here staring at my monitor with absolutely nothing worth blogging about coming to mind. We really lead dull lives here in Old Fart Land. Perhaps I should just say "Hello, friend." and try again later. Yep. That's what I'm gonna do.

Story With a Moral

. . . . And the moral of that story is: Be sure the television remote is on the bedside table BEFORE you strip the sheets for laundering. All is well that ends well and that's all I'm going to say about that. Make your own story.

Harry bought a new baby clam for my reef tank. It was delivered yesterday. It is tiny - about 1.75 inches wide. He ordered it from what we believed to be a very reputable supplier. The clam is healthy and pretty BUT it isn't the one he ordered. He ordered a Maxima clam with green, blue, and yellow in it's mantle. The one we received is brown and white stripped. Below is a picture of the new baby in front of the mature Maxima clam. In the very foreground is a conch.

Just to show off the mature Maxima's colors here is a picture.
I would tell you that we're having a rainy, gloomy, windy day but that would just be "same story - different day." Which one of these politicians hid our sunshine? We have to blame somebody - it might as well be a politician.

On that note I'm going to check on the pot roast. Thanks for stopping by.

Circle of Friends Award

I received a really sweet award from Soul. Thank you so very much. It's truly an honor to be among your "Circle of Friends."

I tried to post a picture of the award in this post but I failed. I did manage to get it into the left margin. Go figure!! I'm certainly computer challenged.

Anyway, to make a long story short I'm posting a list of five MORE things that make me happy.

1. Birds singing.
2. My marine reef aquarium and my live coral, fish, and clams.
3. A well stocked pantry.
4. The sound of water running in a brook.
5. And I have to repeat: My family and friends.

Rules. There's always rules, you know.
Pass this along to other bloggers who make you smile.

Award.

Smoocha sent this award to me. Thank you for thinking of me.

Here are the rules for this award:

1. When you receive this award you must thank the person that awarded you in a new post.

2. Name 10 things that make you happy.

3. Pass this award to other bloggers who make you happy.

TEN THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

1. Having a husband who loves me.

2. Sunday Gathering Days when we are all together and enjoying the afternoon.

3. The beach when the waves are wild and the sun is warm.

4. Reading a good book and almost losing myself in the story.

5. Unexpected (or expected) phone calls from friends.

6. Watching children play and listening to their perception of the world.

7. The quiet peace during snowfall in the mountains.

8. A full pantry makes me both happy and thankful.

9. Having electric and electronic equipment that works the way it should.

And last but certainly the thing that makes me most happy is:

10. Being cancer free and having family, friends, and a medical team who supported and encouraged me when the news wasn't so good. Yes, I'm thankful God gave me heros!!

I'm passing on the award to the following:

Cheryl
Little Dynamite
Soul

Not Much of Nuttin'

I know everyone thinks that every day of the week is the same to folks who are retired. I still look forward to Friday. Habit? Probably. On that note TGIF!!!

The really large grocery closest to our house is closing and is having discount sales (40%) this week. We also had a coupon good for an additional 10%. I just came home from a sashay through every aisle of that store! I had a basket full of paper products, soaps, detergents, etc. All this to say that my knees, hip, and back are mad at me. I hurt everywhere!!

Today is our first day of real, honest-to-goodness sunshine in weeks. I think we'll have rain over the weekend but today is a "big sun shiny day." Looking out the window in front of my desk I see buds forming on my lilac shrub and the contorted hazel bush. Yeah, folks, I see spring!

As you can tell from reading the above there isn't a l9t happening in our world. Noting interesting to write about. On that note I'll say "adios until next time."

Spring Break

It's Spring Break week here and the kids are looking forward to all sorts of "special treats." Short trips, special play dates, eating in "big" restaurants, and much more is on their agenda. No worries with this. When, in a few years, trips with friends get into the mix will be time enough to be concerned. /<

Spring is trying to peek through the dreariness of winter. It can't get here soon enough to suit me. Old Man Winter was in a terrible mood - the worst since I moved to North Alabama many years ago. There is a blessing from the winter though. It brought enough rain to end our deep drought.
We have a large screened porch that has mostly been used to store birdseed and outside toys through the winter. A chipmunk, mouse, or squirrel has found a way to get in the porch and has torn into the birdseed. My son has a live trap so I borrowed it to catch the varmint. It's been three days and no luck yet. A neighbor suggested that I put poison out there because pets have no access to the porch but I don't want to do that. I'd rather catch the varmint and release it in the Green Mountain Wildlife area. When we catch it I believe we'll find that it is a chipmunk. I don't want to kill it.


Time to get started on dinner - Harry and I are old folks and old folks eat early. None of this "Dinner at Eight" business for us. Until later. Thanks for visiting with me.

Darn Spam!!

I had not looked at my blog for a couple of weeks and wasn't aware that spam was being posted here. I deleted all I found and have blocked "Anonymous" comments. At least I think I have - We all know that I'm computer challenged. I hope this won't prevent real comments.

Things in my world are almost back to normal. Everyone is doing well and settled into a routine. As usual there is no news here. I read a few posts every morning while I drink my coffee and sometimes comment. I miss hearing from my blogging friends and hope to get back to regular blogging this week.