Just for Fun

January 18th Puzzle - National Winnie the Pooh Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 01/18/2025

 Tips to sell your home faster in 2025 Selling a home quickly often comes down to first impressions, and Feng Shui can help create a space that feels welcoming and balanced to buyers.• Decluttering: Remove excess furniture and items to allow energy to flow freely. Clear hallways, entryways, and countertops for a fresh look.• Lighting: Use warm, soft lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. Open blinds to maximize natural light.• The Front Door: Ensure the front door is clean, functional, and easily accessible, as it represents the “mouth of energy.”• Add Natural Elements: Incorporate plants, flowers, or water features to bring in vitality and life.• Balance the Five Elements: Use wood, fire, earth, metal, and water elements throughout the home in decor or staging to create harmony.Rea... 01/17/2025

Friday Flags: A Patriotic Prospect CT Pizza RestaurantAs I make my runs through the area, I am always looking for a possibility of a flag for this Friday Flags series.This week was also special for the National Pizza Week recognition.So, it seemed so appropriate to combine the two, when I spotted the flag in front of Hometown Pizza in Prospect, CT.It was midafternoon so it wasn't as crowded as it normally is, but they were still active with slices to go.In a small town like Prospect, CT many of the businesses along the main roads do have their flag out front, and it makes fora big smile from me.Friday Flags: A Patriotic Prospect CT Pizza Restaurant 01/17/2025

Trivia question answers for Thursday January 16, 20251. Which scientist formulated the law of universal gravitation? Sir Isaac Newton2. Who said "Well done is better than well said"? Benjamin Franklin3. Nova Scotia is Latin for what? New Scotland4. What is the first month comprised of 30 days? AprilTrivia questions for Friday January 17, 20251. What are juvenile goats called?2. What is the name of the sun's outer atmosphere?3. How did Monday get its name?4. What was the Hoover Dam's original name?Enjoy your day. 01/17/2025

During the holidays in many places in South Florida, it is difficult to find $20 garage parking. Look back in history to see what $20 would buy dating back to the Colonial Era. The article was written by Nicole Villenueve from HISTORY FACTS. She presented the value of the $20 up until the 1980s.  What can $20 buy you today?Imagine walking into a grocery store with $20 in your pocket. What can you buy? Today, you might be able to grab some pasta and vegetables for the night’s dinner and have leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, if you’re lucky. The purchasing power of a dollar has changed dramatically from the early days of American history, largely due to the ever-increasing prices of the things we spend money on — that pesky reality we call inflation. Twenty bucks might not put much in your... 01/16/2025

Years ago heading northwest on Rt 322 West towards State College, the highway was hugging the Susquehanna River and to my surprise I saw for the first time a miniature version of the Statue of Liberty in the middle of the River. It was kind of a strange thing to see in the middle of a wide river, but none the less she was there. Over the years I have tried to get a good photo of her in passing, at high speed, but even without getting a good photo I still enjoy seeing her because she makes me chuckle and makes me wonder who the heck thought to build her and how did they get the statue in the middle of the river?This stretch of the Susquehanna is interesting to me because there is a lot of rock jutting above the surface of the river and there are remnants of old pilings from former bridge... 01/16/2025

Posts Just For You- This Week at ActiveRain January 12 to January 18, 2025  Every day there is something to learn here at ActiveRain.  With this series, I highlight posts that gave me that lightbulb moment. It could be something techie, a post about Real Estate or other professions, about a place, or a person. Or, it could be a post that made me sit up and take notice! From last week: January 11: Lynn B Friedman Atlanta Buckhead Midtown-Magical Beauty with Snow-Plus Power OnI thought this was a fun post using different prompts to generate an aI image. What do you think? January 12:  Thomas J. Nelson   Planning for Success Make Room For Miracles (Entry #2)What an inspirational post!!!!  You may want to start your own Miracle Morning.  Rain Silverhawk Just because something doesn't do wha... 01/19/2025

Friday Fun…Key Tales Gloria Todor wrote an excellent post about Keys recently that reminded me of a few (well, slightly more than a few) times when we have been locked out. Keys are such small things and the power they hold over us is interesting.   When we moved to Leesburg, VA, I was still living in FL, waiting for the movers. We closed on the house and Larry headed there to spend the night there.  You know how it is…new home and you’re still figuring out where light switches are. He stepped outside for a minute and OOPS…he was locked out. All he had (thank goodness) was his phone. Thank goodness, our agent lived in the same community and still had the keys to the house. AGENT to the rescue! In FL, I was previewing a property with an agent who was considering having it staged.  We wen... 01/17/2025

 ✨My Personal Feng Shui Experience ✨Recently, I embraced Feng Shui principles in my workspace, and the results have been nothing short of transformative. After decluttering my desk and repositioning it to face the door with a solid wall behind me, I immediately felt more empowered, focused, and productive.Feng Shui isn’t just about aesthetics, it’s a way to create balance, invite prosperity, and foster harmony in your surroundings. Whether you’re buying, selling, or simply enhancing your current space, small, intentional changes can make a big impact.🌿 Here Are a Few Tips to Get Started:1️⃣ Enhance Your Wealth Corner: Add lush green plants, gold accents, or a water feature in the Southeast area of your home to stimulate financial growth.2️⃣ Use Mirrors Wisely: Place mirrors to reflect a... 01/16/2025

Greenville SC is a city known for its vibrant growth, cultural renaissance, and a thriving culinary and wellness scene. As the city continues to evolve, new businesses are emerging that offer fresh experiences for both locals and visitors. From delicious bites to wellness retreats, here are the top 10 new businesses in Greenville SC you should check out. 1. Parlour Doughnuts - 901 Laurens Rd Unit B, Greenville SC 29607 | (864) 203-2246 | parlourdoughnuts.com If you have a sweet tooth, Parlor Doughnuts is your new go-to destination. Specializing in gourmet doughnuts, this trendy shop offers a unique twist on the classic doughnut. Known for its fluffy, croissant-like texture, Parlor Doughnuts serves up indulgent options that range from the traditional to the extraordinary. Don't miss the... 01/16/2025

January 17th Puzzle - National Classy Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 01/17/2025

MOSI, the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa, FL, is a hub of innovation and curiosity that provides interactive exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages. Perfect for families, science enthusiasts, and anyone eager to learn, MOSI offers a unique blend of education and entertainment.Dive into the immersive planetarium shows that transport you to the farthest reaches of space or explore the hands-on exhibits where you can engage with cutting-edge technology, robotics, and physics. The iconic Sky Trail® Ropes Course is perfect for adventure-seekers, challenging your balance and bravery high above the ground. Younger visitors will enjoy the dedicated Kids in Charge! exhibit, designed to spark curiosity and creativity through playful learning.MOSI also emphasizes sustainability an... 01/16/2025

Trivia question answers for Wednesday January 15, 20251.  Approximately how many teeth can shark grow in a lifetime? 50,0002. What city has the most billionaires? Moscow3. What is missing in a New England milkshake? Ice Cream4. Where is The Bay of Pigs? CubaTrivia questions for Thursday January 16, 20251. Which scientist formulated the law of universal gravitation?2. Who said "Well done is better than well said"?3. Nova Scotia is Latin for what?4. What is the first month comprised of 30 days?Enjoy your day. 01/16/2025

Every year on January 15th, and this year on Wednesday January 15, 2025, we celebrate unofficial Happy National Strawberry Ice Cream Day Day.Strawberry ice cream is made by blending either strawberries or strawberry flavoring with eggs, cream, vanilla, and sugar. Food coloring is often used to give it the pink or light red hue.National Strawberry Ice Cream Day best celebrated with someone else, so be sure to grab a bowl or two, invite someone to join you while you enjoy a dish of strawberry ice cream.I want to wish everyone on ActiveRain community a Happy National Strawberry Ice Cream Day. 01/15/2025

Thoughts…Do Nothing Day Have you ever wished you had a weekend or day…or even an hour when you could do nothing?  For those of you who are still working, you know that is almost impossible. Your latest listing or closing, or where your next client will come from are always at the top of your minds.  There is a day for this called DO NOTHING DAY. When I saw this it made me wonder…how do you Do nothing! We live in a time and society when being busy…juggling 10 things at once is like a badge of honor.  Years ago I watched and listened to two mothers play the “I’m busier with my children’s activities than you are” game. Shortly after that, I read an article about a mother who put her foot down to the structured summer classes and camps her children had attended every year. She told them the... 01/16/2025

Prep Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 30 mins Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Servings: 4 Yield: 4 servings 1 (4 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained and liquid reserved 1 rib celery, sliced ¼ cup chopped onion ⅓ cup brown rice 2 teaspoons minced garlic ¼ teaspoon dried thyme ¼ teaspoon poultry seasoning ¼ teaspoon salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper 4 chicken thighs with skin and bones 1 tablespoon olive oil salt and pepper to taste Directions Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Combine mushrooms, celery, onion, rice, and garlic in an ungreased 10-inch baking dish. Sprinkle thyme, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper on top. Add enough water to reserved mushroom liquid to measure 3/4 cup and pour over rice mixture in the baking dish. Place chicken on top, skin-side up. Brush with ... 01/19/2025

Prep Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins Additional Time: 10 mins Total Time: 1 hr 50 mins Servings: 8 1 (3 pound) whole chicken 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste 2 cups all-purpose flour dash salt 4 large eggs 1 teaspoon vegetable oil   Directions Remove any giblets, rinse the chicken with cold water, and place it into a large saucepan of water. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to a medium low, and simmer about 1 hour, skimming foam from the broth, until the chicken meat is tender. Mix the flour with a dash of salt in a bowl. With your fingers, make a depression in the top of the flour and drop in the eggs. Add the oil, and stir the eggs into the flour to make a stiff dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic, and let it res... 01/19/2025

The 2025 Carlsbad Marathon~ Sunday January 19th ~ The always popular Carlsbad Marathon is Sunday January 19th.  That’s also the Martin Luther King holiday weekend with the official holiday on Monday the 20th. The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon is a popular world-class event. It’s also a qualifying race for the famed Boston Marathon. There are typically lots of runners from other areas of the US participating in this event! The Marathon is limited to 1200 runners. The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon also offers a Double Down Challenge, a combination of 2 races. First is the 5K (3.1 miles), which is followed by the half marathon, a total of 16.2 miles.  Hopefully you are registered, but if not keep in mind there are limits on the number of participants in the Marathon... 01/15/2025

January 16th Puzzle - National Nothing Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 01/16/2025

I've observed that people of all ages forget where they put things. If I had a dollar for every time I heard "Mom, have you seen my", whatever this and whatever that.In today's world the number one item seems to be "where did I put my cell phone?" closely followed by "what was that password?". It's always funny when the person asking about the phone has it in their hand while they are looking for it. For us older folks it may be "what was I looking for" followed by why did I walk into this room?".On a personal level my wife asks me every morning "did you take your pills this morning?" and before bed "did you put your eyedrops in before you came to bed?". About half the time I did NOT take my pills or eyedrops so her reminders are welcome.My favorite is:This post was just for fun. Stay t... 01/16/2025