Just for Fun

Nerdin Gardens: A Resolute Commitment Clematis flowers carry a resilient vibrancy year after year. While not as overtly romantic like roses, they still relay love, devotion, commitment and feel meaningful. A heart-shaped bouquet shows off those vibrant purple blooms.  The Clematis plant’s ability to climb, twist and attach itself effortlessly to walls, trellises, fences represents acute agility, adding problem-solving and artistic talent on top of physical beauty. Kinda clingy, like me! To My Honey, that is. Viney tendrils continuously reach out for support, much like people in relationships who have formed strong attachments. To me, the Clematis expresses a resolute commitment, deep affection and enduring connection.  You may wonder how I know.Because I said so! Tie in to the industry:... 05/09/2026

I have always loved the taste of fresh lemon. In my water, my tea, and even squeezed onto fresh salads and veggies. But the medicinal values that lemons provide are exceptional. Check out these added bonuses to your health that can be derived from the lovely lemon:🍋 DIGESTION - Fresh lemon juice is an excellent benefit for your digestive system. A great way to start your day is with a cup of warm water with freshly squeezed lemon. I add a shot of Olive Oil. This routine helps to jump-start your system before you add any food.🍋 IMMUNE SYSTEM: The benefits of fresh lemon to boost your immune system are an excellent reason to incorporate this important fruit into your diet. The Vitamin C and antioxidant boost your system receives is essential to help your body fight off those bugaboos! 🍋 C... 05/09/2026

Mother's Day Wishing you the best day ever! May you be safe, surrounded by love, and enjoy your day from start to finish—and many more to come. Being a mom is not easy, but it’s one of the strongest, most selfless roles anyone can have. If it wasn’t for moms, none of us would probably be here. Thank you for every sacrifice, every prayer, every late night, and every time you kept going even when you were tired. You are truly appreciated. ❤️Sincerely, Katina Hargrove, Mom, Daughter, Sister, Aunt, Mom-mom, Friend,Child-of-God, Etc.    05/09/2026

It has been a busy week - selling my house and my car, a "going away/retirement/birthday" party with friends, and my official birthday yesterday.  WHEW!   THANK YOU for so many of you that took time to comment on my Facebook page, here in the Q & A, text, send an ecard or call me.   It all meant so much to me.I was able to get up to Fort Collins to see my adopted mom Virginia, as she now has pancreatic cancer, and has spread to her liver.   She isn't doing that well, but was able to talk with her for a couple of hours.Still have to get to TMobile so the new SIM card that will be my phone service in Portugal can be added to my phone.  Also, get back to the bank on Monday to wire money to my Portuguese bank.   Last couple of things, repack my bags, and ready to take-off on Tuesday.  It us... 05/09/2026

This Week…Sock It To Me! Lately, I’ve been revisiting recipes that we used to make.  The Sock It To Me cake was popular in the early 70s and a go-to dessert for me. If you remember Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In, then you’re familiar with the phrase “sock it to me.” The cake, introduced by Duncan Hines, used their Classic Butter Cake Mix. Perfect way to sell your produce!!!                                             Sock-It-To-Me Cake 1 pkg Duncan Hines Butter Recipe Golden Cake mix1 c. (8 oz) dairy sour cream½ c. Crisco Oil¼ c sugar¼ c. water4 eggsFilling: 1 c. chopped pecans 2 T. brown sugar 2 tsp. cinnamonPreheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large bowl, blend cake mix, sour cream, oil, ¼ c. sugar, water and eggs.  Beat at high speed for 2 minutes.  Pour 2/3 of the batter in a greased and f... 05/09/2026

 Every year on Friday before Mothers Day in the month of May, and today on Friday, May 8, 2026, we Observe National Military Spouse Appreciation Day.We can celebrate National Military Spouse Appreciation Day by acknowledge the significant contribution, support and sacrifices the spouses of the Armed Forces with the excellent strength and patriotism they have.I want to wish to all my friends and everyone at ActiveRain community a Happy National Military Spouse Appreciation Day. 05/08/2026

How Raleigh played a part in the how Mother's Day got it start!Mother’s Day is a time to slow down and reflect on the women who shaped our lives with love, patience and strength. It is a day filled with lunch, flowers, candy, phone calls and quiet moments of gratitude. But behind the celebration is a story that reaches deeper than many people realize.The holiday traces back to the early 1900s, when Anna Jarvis from Grafton, WV worked to create a national day to honor mothers. Her vision was simple. She wanted a day that recognized the personal sacrifices and unconditional love that mothers give every day. Alongside her efforts was Madeline Jane Jones Procter from Raleigh, NC, who supported the movement and shared in the mission to give mothers the recognition they deserved.Read More Her... 05/09/2026

Trivia question answers for Friday May 8, 20261. Where does Yogi Bear live? Jellystone National Park2. Retinol ia another name for what vitamin? A3. What is -459.67 also known as? Absolute zero4. What company produced the "Brownie" camera? KodakTrivia questions for Saturday May 9, 20261. What game of chance was originally called "Beano"?2. What was Walt Disney afraid of?3. What popular diet soda soft drink first appeared in 1963?4. Jonquil is a shade of what color?Enjoy your day.  05/09/2026

Mother’s Day in Greenville South Carolina feels like it was designed for spring. The city comes alive with blooming gardens, colorful storefronts, and outdoor spaces that make slowing down feel effortless. If you’re looking for a meaningful way to celebrate Mom, a floral-inspired day filled with brunch, flowers, and beautiful scenery is one of the best ways to experience Greenville at its peak.Here’s a locally inspired guide to planning a Mother’s Day centered around brunch, blooms, and everything beautiful in between. Start with Flowers: Local Florists That Set the ToneA floral-inspired Mother’s Day begins with fresh blooms. Greenville has no shortage of charming local flower shops where you can pick up a bouquet that feels personal and thoughtful.Expressions Unlimited is a local favor... 05/08/2026

There is also so much more to life than contracts, homes, and land. Being a Realtor® has been a very big piece of my life for many years. Through real estate I’ve had the opportunity to meet incredible people, hear amazing life stories, witness new beginnings, heartbreaks, resilience, family histories, dreams fulfilled, and sometimes dreams lost.Over time I realized that many of the people, places, memories, and quiet moments I’ve encountered along the way stayed with me long after the transactions ended. Some made me think. Some made me ache. Some made me smile years later. And some slowly began asking to become words on a page.So I’ve decided to begin sharing some short reflective stories in a new section on my website called Pieces of Life.These stories are inspired by real moments, ... 05/08/2026

Friday Flags:  A New Welcome to Watertown CornerOn my way to league this past week, I noticed a change at one of the intersections leading into Watertown, CT. Some work had been done to a corner just outside a mostly medical building intersection that also had access to an industrial park.A new sign board was installed with a big welcome for travelers.It was better as there was a new pole directly adjacent to the board, that said a lot about the residents and town management as well.It was a bit of a sheltered corner, but I got enough wind to make that large flag stand out.Friday Flags:  A New Welcome to Watertown Corner 05/08/2026

Trivia question answers for Thursday May 7, 20261. Which alphabet consists of just dots? Braile2. What planet has the shortest day at 10 hours? Jupiter3. How many US Presidents fathered no children? Five4. What is Henry Kissinger's actual first name? HeinzTrivia questions for Friday May 8, 20261. Where does Yogi Bear live?2. Retinol ia another name for what vitamin?3. What is -459.67 also known as?4. What company produced the "Brownie" camera?Enjoy your day.  05/08/2026

Friday Fun…Your Favorite…With thoughts of our mothers or mother figures this weekend, let’s share something about ours. It could be your favorite dessert or meal she made, or a funny moment. My mother was known for her baking. We always had fresh Toll House cookies in the cookie jar, and our birthday cakes were not from a box or store but done the old-fashioned way. | That said, after the Brownie incident, the whole family learned not to talk to her when she was baking. One afternoon, my mother made her homemade brownies. My brother (I’ll blame him) kept interrupting her, asking, “Are they done yet?”  They were perfect and smelled like freshly baked goodness.  My brother and I each grabbed one and couldn’t wait for the first bite.  YIKESAll we tasted was salt!She was so distracted from ... 05/08/2026

Well that's pretty gross. I think the inspiration for this cartoon my be that Carol and I have been coughing a lot lately. I assure you it's not from guinea pig hair and the we are not coughing up gross hairballs.On the other hand shedding season is upon us. If you own a long haired dog I don't need to tell you. What I can tell dog owners who are struggling with a shedding dog is that our Veterinarian recommended is giving Baby Fish Oil soft tablets.This has made an amazing difference in Baby's coat. She is around 13 years old and her coat has never looked better. She really likes them too. No peanut butter needed. We put two in her dish every day and it's the first thing she goes for, even over a Milk-bone.Don't expect an overnight miracle. We started out with two tablets and a raw egg... 05/08/2026

When looking for an Airbnb, I probably don't do as much research, as I usually am not staying very long.  This stay was for two weeks, and I probably should have made sure to read the reviews.   I am staying in the walk-out basement, which has been converted to a one-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, laundry, and a nice bathroom and living room.  The owners live on the top two floors, but they obviously have hardwood flooring, and OH MY is it loud.   Usually, I can hear them moving about around 6 am, and it doesn't stop until 10 pm.   Last night, it was 11 and midnight with LOTS of noise.Of all nights to keep me awake, my going-away party is tonight, and I am exhausted.  Funny, in my instructions, it said - quiet time was after 9 pm and before 8 am.    Thinking I will put that on m... 05/07/2026

One of the best parts about living in or visiting Pasadena is the food scene. Pasadena has quietly become one of the strongest dining destinations in Los Angeles County, offering everything from upscale steakhouse experiences and chef-driven restaurants to classic lunch spots and neighborhood favorites.Whether you are planning a date night, business dinner, weekend brunch, or casual lunch between showings, Pasadena has no shortage of great options.Here are some of the top fine dining and casual dining spots worth checking out right now.Fine Dining Favorites in PasadenaThe Royce Wood Fired Steakhouse★ 4.6 • Steak houseLocated inside the iconic The Langham Huntington Pasadena, this remains one of Pasadena’s premier steakhouse experiences. Known for dry-aged steaks, elevated service, and a... 05/07/2026

Grab you boots…it’s Rodeo Time!!By K. Ross Let’s do a quick check-in… are we all still surviving this Virginia weather?! One minute it’s sunshine, the next minute you’re dodging rain(which we desperately need!) like it’s your full-time job. But hey, if there’s one thing we do well here, it’s finding something fun to do no matter what the forecast looks like!Now let’s get into this week’s blog…this one has me a little extra excited. We’re talking about a rodeo—yes, a real, boots-on-the-ground, bulls and all kind of rodeo, right here in Virginia!So let me introduce you to Blue Toad Hard Cider. Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, this place is already known for its laid-back vibe, mountain views, and locally crafted cider made from Nelson County apples. It’s one of those spots where you g... 05/07/2026

Trivia question answers for Wednesday May 6, 20261. What famous race was established in 1903? The Your de France2. What was football legend Joe Namath's nickname? Broadway Joe3. What substance gives the White Cliffs of Dover their color? Chalk4. How many holes are in a standard Ritz Cracker? 7Trivia questions for Thursday May 7, 20261. Which alphabet consists of just dots?2. What planet has the shortest day at 10 hours?3. How many US Presidents fathered no children?4. What is Henry Kissinger's actual first name?Enjoy your day.  05/07/2026

I met some clients this week that were here staying in The Villages, Florida and renting at Waterfront for three days.  We will be talking about when to meet and they say “what’s today” Monday?  Tuesday?  No, it’s Wednesday.  It’s not a senior moment it is because your normal routine has changed.  For many folks coming here they are either finishing up a career of working or had a routine where they are moving from.  Here every day can be the same if you want, sleep in, maybe golf or pickleball, social club meetings, dinner with friends, head to the squares, your choices are almost endless.Think about it most of our life we had routines, maybe work five days a week, weekends were just two days where as in The Villages we have seven days a week that are weekends!  Great thing about The V... 05/07/2026

It is May 6th, 2026, and should be Spring?    Thinking we have 5-6" of snow outside and 30 degrees at 7:50 am.  Goodness.  We had warmer weather in February.   It is supposed to continue snowing until 2 pm today.   65 tomorrow and 69 on Friday!  I was laughing this morning, thinking this is my "send-off".    In Quarteira Portugal, it is 70 degrees right now and full sun.   It is supposed to rain 50% from Saturday thru Tuesday, but in the 60's all week.   SO, instead of thinking about this COLD Weather, was looking at all the gorgeous photos of Portugal.The architecture is just stunning, and this is in Piodao, which is Northeast of Lisbon in the central area of Portugal.This is from peak to peak on Madeira Island.  It says it is a very strenuous hike, so may not be able to do this one.  ... 05/06/2026