Just for Fun

Trivia question answers for Monday July 6, 20261. Who sang "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to"? Lesley Gore2. What type of fish is a dangerous delicacy for sushi eaters if not properly prepared?    Blowfish3. Which emperor famously "fiddled while Rome burned"? Nero4. What is the common name for a moon that orbits another moon? MoonmoonTrivia questions for Tuesday July 7, 20261. What is the official score of a forfeited major league baseball game? 2. What is "e.g" an abbreviation of?3. What do you eat when you accept that you are wrong about something?4. What does a dowser do?Enjoy your day.  07/07/2026

  Phil's Home News   Philip A. Raices Turn Key Real Estate 516-647-4289 Cell 516-829-2205 Office Fax eFax Coming Soon! www.Li-RealEstate.Com   Phil@TurnKeyRealEstate.ComNYS License # 31RA0874656 NYS Corporate License # 109909392 Quick Quiz Each month I'll give you a new question.Just reply to this email for the answer.Named after the famous hedgehog in a Beatrix Potter story, what is the name of a well-known wildlife hospital in England? Reply to this email Ask the Agent What Is a Proof of Funds Letter? In addition to providing a seller a loan preapproval letter, a buyer may also need to provide a proof of funds (POF) letter proving that the buyer has the cash needed to close the sale. This is especially the case for an all-cash transaction. Once you get preapproved for a loan, get your... 07/06/2026

Book Recommendation: Land by Maggie O'FarrellLand (2026) is the new novel by the New York Times bestselling Irish author Maggie O'Farrell. Click on the link to learn more about the author and this book.'You will never understand how the land remembers, how deep the roots grow'A spellbinding story of separation, longing, recovery and survival as a family makes a new home in the aftermath of tragedy.On a windswept peninsula stretching out into the Atlantic, Tomás and his reluctant son, Liam, are working for the great Ordnance Survey project to map the whole of Ireland. The year is 1865, and in a country not long since ravaged and emptied by the Great Hunger, the task is not an easy one. Tomás, however, is determined that his maps will be a record of the disaster.The British soldiers in ch... 07/13/2026

Tuesday's Treasures…World Chocolate Day There is something to celebrate every day, and there is one thing that deserves to be celebrated every day: CHOCOLATE!I will leave it to the chocolate expert at ActiveRain, Nina Hollander, to share the facts and figures because she had a close relationship with chocolate in her previous professional life!  If there is a buffet of desserts, I would always choose one with chocolate in or on it. My preference is always for dark chocolate. However, if no one is offering dark chocolate, well, desperate times call for desperate measures, and milk chocolate it is! You already know this, but just so we’re clear…chocolate, in particular, dark chocolate, is a healthy treat.  -It is heart-healthy because it is rich in antioxidants. -It helps with the product... 07/07/2026

Every year on July 6th, and this year on Monday July 6th, 2026 we celebrate and enjoy the unofficial National Fried Chicken Day.Fried chicken is a dish consisting of chicken pieces floured or battered, then pan-fried, deep-fried or pressure-fried. The breading adds a crisp coating to the exterior of the chicken.Knowing how to get a good crisp on the chicken involves seasoning well and early in the process, adding starch to your flour and frying your chicken at the right temperature.Rest the chicken before serving to allow the juices to be absorbed back into the meat.Perhaps there are might be other ideas to celebrate the National Fried Chicken Day.I want to wish to all my friends and to all members at Active Rain community a Happy and Wonderful National Fried Chicken Day. 07/06/2026

Titus and Philemon are guinea pigs... it's hard to make that rhyme and apply it to eating grass. 🙄I've watched two guinea pigs eat grass in our back yard and the little area they fed in never looked mowed but it's fun to imagine. In the meantime it's mowing the old fashion way.Many new home owners are on tight budgets and are thrilled if the previous home owner leaves a lawnmower behind for them.I worked with many first time home buyers over my career and I learned to ask for some basic tools in their offers. The top two were lawnmowers and snow throwers. I'd say we batted 50/50 on those requests.A lawnmower is a nice gift for a relative in the process of buying their first home. There are fairly inexpensive gas and electric mowers available. I have been pleased with my most recent purc... 07/08/2026

Every once in a while you need to escape the daily routine whatever it is and make a mad dash to the beach!  Summer in Florida is the perfect time of the year to do it!  We are about 80 miles from the Atlantic Ocean and Daytona Beach Shores and a perfect get a way for a few days.  We have always used Airbnb and can find places for $100 a night including cleaning and taxes.  Maybe three or four days in the middle of the week or a long weekend.  It is quiet there this time of year so head to the beach for a few hours unless you are a diehard, walk back to your place, chill, shower, and head someplace for dinner!  We like to book on high floors so after dinner come back, grab a beverage, and feel the ocean breeze and listen to the waves hitting the beach!  No red tide on the Atlantic that ... 07/07/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Lew today, andworthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore Honoring a Nation Built on Courage and Possibility America’s 250th birthday feels like more than a milestone — it feels like a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on what this country has meant across a lifetime. When I think about America, I think about possibility. Not the glossy, idealized version, but the rea... 07/06/2026

Everyone goes through adversity in life, but what matters is how you learn from it.-Lou Holtz A Successful Man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. -David Brinkley Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune. -Jim Rohn The successful man will profit from his mistakes and try again in a different way.-Dale Carnegie  What happens is not as important as how you react to what happens. -Ellen Glasgow Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dance like nobody's  watching. -Satchel Paige A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them. -John C. Maxwell  Make someone happy day to day and watch them smile. -Will Hamm 07/06/2026

Don't let the fear of losing be greater than the excitement of winning. – Robert Kiyosak Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. – Steve Jobs In every success story, you will find someone who has made a courageous decision. – Peter F. Drucker Courage is being scared to death, but saddling up anyway. – John Wayne The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. – Franklin D. Roosevelt Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it. – Maya AngelouThe best ideas are the ones we actually turn into actions. - Will Hamm  07/06/2026

 Book Recommendation: The Rising by Brian McGillowayThe Rising (2010) is novel number four of the Inspector Devlin Books by the New York Times bestselling Irish author Brian McGilloway. I enjoyed this novel and recommend this series for your reading list. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and his books.When Garda Inspector Benedict Devlin is summoned to a burning barn, he finds inside the charred remains of a man who is quickly identified as a local drug dealer, Martin Kielty. It soon becomes clear that Kielty's death was no accident, and suspicion falls on a local vigilante group. Former paramilitaries, the men call themselves The Rising.Meanwhile, a former colleague's teenage son has gone missing during a seaside camping trip. Devlin is relieved whe... 07/10/2026

Trivia question answers for Sunday July 5. 20261. What is a 3-letter term for a young goat? A Kid2. What ocean lies to the east of Africa? The Indian Ocean3. In what Tv series did Ron Howard play Richie? Happy Days4. What is a group of unicorns called? A blessingTrivia questions for Monday July 6, 20261. Who sang "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to"?2. What type of fish is a dangerous delicacy for sushi eaters if not properly prepared?3. Which emperor famously "fiddled while Rome burned"?4. What is the common name for a moon that orbits another moon? Enjoy your day.  07/06/2026

Honoring a Nation Built on Courage and PossibilityAmerica’s 250th birthday feels like more than a milestone — it feels like a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on what this country has meant across a lifetime. When I think about America, I think about possibility. Not the glossy, idealized version, but the real, lived one: the idea that ordinary people can build extraordinary lives through grit, community, and hope. I love America because it’s a place where reinvention is not only allowed but encouraged, where each generation pushes the boundaries of what freedom and opportunity can look like.The freedoms I value most are the ones that shape daily life in quiet but powerful ways — the freedom to speak openly, to worship (or not) according to conscience, to pursue work that feels mea... 07/06/2026

Exploring the annals of history is always a fascinating journey, offering glimpses into the significance of various dates. Here are a few intriguing historical tidbits to dive into this week.   THIS WEEK IN HISTORY ♦ 2015: The Confederate flag is removed from the South Carolina capitol grounds July 10.♦ 2010: On July 11, Spain captured its first ever World Cup championship by defeating the Netherlands 1-0 in extra over time. ♦ 2006: Twitter launches July 15. ♦ 1994: Brazil defeated Italy in the first World Cup Final decided by penalty kicks, earning Brazil its fourth title.♦ 1988: Steffi Graf went on to win all four Grand Slam tournaments and Olympic gold, the only player ever to achieve the Golden Slam.♦ 1984: Jesse Jackson delivered his memorable "Rainbow Coalition" speech at the 1984... 07/09/2026

Motivational Monday…Sportsmanship One of the many reasons I love sports is the life lessons they teach. That's also why I'm a strong believer that children benefit from spending at least some time participating in organized sports.  Last week, I listened to Folarin Bolagun discuss his being given the Red Card in the US game against  Bosnia-Herzegovina. It meant that our best player would be unavailable in our game tonight against Belgium. *As it turns out, the ban was overturned Sunday afternoon. I can’t pretend to understand soccer rules or why the ban was lifted. However, what struck me was what he said and did after receiving the red card.  After the game, he walked up to the referee and shook his hand. It is a courtesy he affords every official after a game…win or lose.  He also sai... 07/06/2026

Nerdin Gardens: It's All In The Flow   In Nerdin Gardens, a fun sign displays,“Sometimes I wet my plants!” it relays.   Tomato vines sip from a gentle spray,Growing up strong, bigger every day.   Watermelon rind’s hold fruit so sweet,Juicy and coolish in the summer heat.   Artichoke hearts open wide with care,Thirsty leaves happy in the misting air.   The sum of all parts, roots, stems & all,Makes a garden strong to growing tall.   Splish in the splash and love in the flow.I wet my plants and watch 'em all grow!  ~Wanda Kubat-Nerdin c-26  As summer temps rise, some plants may need an extra drink to stay hydrated. We happily oblige. The Nerdin Gardens plot remains cool and steady, thanks in part to towering, shade trees, mature bushes and a bubbling water fountain.  If you plan to stop b... 07/06/2026

Yearly tradition to replace the flag on July 4th. Happy 250th Independence Day everyone. Thanks to Leo Art Creations for the video recording and photo.   #IndependenceDay #4thofJuly #fourthofjuly #America250 #America250FL #lakehuntley #lakeplacidflorida 07/05/2026

The “rockets’ red glare” have vanished. No longer are there “bombs bursting in air.”Yet, “dawn’s early light” returned giving proof “our Flag was still there.”  With 13 strips and 50 stars, old Glory still flies over the “ramparts we watched.”Yes, our “star-spangled banner yet wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave" is always present. Celebrating 250 years young is beyond worthwhile and we shouldn’t stop at 250.  Each day as I leave our home, I see this monument that was given to us by the blood, sweat, tears and money of not only by our founding fathers flying but all the men and women since then. Underneath Old Glory, we still fly the Gadsden Flag with the coiled timber rattlesnake and these words “Don’t tread on me.” Today these four (4) words are as true as they w... 07/05/2026

I thank God for this Nation. I pray it survives the current assault of communism that we are seeing creeping into our political system. Communism has been tried over and over again and the result has always been a miserable failure with the death and misery of hundreds of thousands of people.  We had a wonderful day with most of our activity spent at our church (Calvary Church, Minot) eating, socializing, and playing corn hole. It was a GREAT time celebrating the freedoms that our country offers. 07/05/2026

   Which Fireworks did you watch last night July 4, 2026 Macy's 4th of July Fireworks in New York City A Capitol Fourth in Washington, D.C. Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular in Boston Local celebrations throughout the Denver metropolitan area, including community and municipal fireworks shows. If you watched a fireworks show , tell me which one you attended, and I'd be happy to help you write a social media post or a recap about your July 4th experience.    07/05/2026