Just for Fun

Today I read a clever post by Kelly McGovern about the historical meaning of the horseshoe and its longtime association with good luck in the home.Of course, here in Texas, horseshoes are something we see quite often! But Kelly’s post reminded me that sometimes the horseshoe represents a different kind of good fortune, being lucky in love.At my grandson’s rehearsal dinner, the night before his wedding, a horseshoe was artfully placed at each place setting as a favor for the guests. Attached was the sweetest little tag:“Lucky in Love” ❤️I thought it was such a fun Texas touch and a perfect sentiment for two people about to begin their married life together.Maybe that’s the best kind of luck a horseshoe can bring, not just good fortune under your roof, but someone you love to share that r... 09/30/2026

It's apple harvest time here in North Dakota. My neighbors have had a bumper crop and they invited us to help ourselves. The deer have taken all they can reach and if left much longer the bees (yellow jackets) will eat through the rest of them.Having read that apples can be stored and sold in grocery stores for up to a year I've been gathering as many as I can reach on the tree without a ladder.Carol has been making apple crisp and Timmothy and I are eating it almost as fast as she makes it. These are wonderful crisp and juicy apples that look exactly like the ones pictured above. I'm also keeping 4 to 6 in the office fridge... much better for me than a candy bar. 10/01/2026

Any one/thing messing with my feet while I am sleeping is going to get kicked. My wife cuddles/snuggles with me every morning when the alarm goes off and that I can handle. ♥️WebMD has a wonderful article on the benefits of cuddling. Click on the picture to view/read it.As hard as we work I believe snuggling and play time is very important. At the end of the work day and after dinner we play an hour of games as a family and then watch about an hour of comedy.For our family, work balanced with play keeps us healthy and close as a family. I don't want to leave out the importance of worship together as well. We use a "through the Bible in a year" reading at breakfast and after dinner every single day and of course we attend church on Sundays (except when we are camping). 10/01/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Barbara 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 Check this out.  It is such a good example of dress and behavior in the early 50s at high schools probably all across the country.  This one was from a yearbook of Searcy AR High School in 1952.  Check out the saddle shoes and folded bobby socks, skirt and sweater outfit and probably a little scarf around her... 09/30/2026

Wouldn't it be nice if when we lock our door, as we leave for work, that our pet would head for their job and bring in another income for our home?I'm not sure what a guinea pig could do for an income other than model for pictures of cuteness. So what is the answer to making ends meet.I was raised to believe you work until you can make it. If that means two or even three jobs, so be it. I was also raised to believe that if you can't afford it DON'T buy it.REAL ESTATE AGENT APPLICATION If you are not making it in this business then evaluate if this is the right career choice for you. If you love the business and don't want to change careers then immerse yourself in Real Estate sales technics from proven experts. Ask mentors to help you. Do not get involved in activities that will distrac... 09/30/2026

Thank you Debe Maxwell, CRS and Carol Williams for sponsoring the September challenge. Many have already offered some great ideas in an organized and coherent way. Now comes me! And, organized and coherent it may not be, but done is better than perfect so here I go. By the way "done is better than perfect" is a quote I first ran across reading a post here by someone. I think we should start with the basics many of us don't use often enough to remember the steps. How to blog? How to post a picture? How to wrap a picture and provide sufficient white space? Maybe a border? Maybe an opinion of the best times of the day to post? How do you schedule a post for publication? Once the basics are covered, move on toothed topics.The talent is here and ZOOm can help harvest it for the benefit of ot... 09/30/2026

Book Recommendation: Look on the Bright Side by Kristan HigginsLook on the Bright Side (May 28, 2024) is a standalone novel by the New York Times bestselling author Kristan Higgins. I enjoyed this book and recommend it for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her many books.From the author of Pack Up the Moon comes a funny, romantic, and deeply moving novel about the unexpected rewards that come from life’s detours.Lark Smith has always had a plan for her life: find a fantastic guy, create a marriage as blissful as her parents’, pop out a couple of kids and build a rewarding career as an oncologist.Things aren’t going so well.For one, the guy didn’t work out. Theoretically, she’d love to find someone else, but it hasn’t happene... 10/05/2026

🌳10-7-26 Where's Woody?☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call Brian at 480-773-2370🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian at brian@bke12.comTrish hasn't been photographing Woody as often, but Kathy Streib has inspired me to try to keep this series going since everyone in the Rain seems to enjoy it. In order to keep it going, I am going to need your help. If you have access to a Woody figurine, would you consider photographing it in some scenes around your area, sharing them with me, and allowing me to share them in the Rain?  Or, something else I just thought of: since most of you have become quite adept at using AI, how about you get creative with AI and share your creations of Woody's adventures with me to feature in this series?It would be fun for everyone to gues... 10/07/2026

📿Beautiful Churches ~ 10-7-26 ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI needed a new series in the Rain, and since the highlight of most of my days is attending Mass, I figured a good series would be to share photos from the churches that I have visited over the years.  As many of you already know, I enjoy traveling, and I attend Mass daily.  So, of course, when I make plans for a trip, the first thing I look for is a Catholic Church where I can attend Mass daily.  There is nothing that I enjoy more than being inside a Catholic Church!  I hope that everyone will appreciate this series, whether or not you are religious. I think that we can all agree that Churches are Beautiful.  I specialize in the East Valley of the Phoenix Met... 10/07/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday September 29, 20261. What kind of nut is used to make marzipan? Almonds2. Which US President kept silkworms? John Q Adams3. Red Stripe beer originated from what island country? Jamaica4. How many white stripes. are there on the American Flag? SixTrivia questions for Wednesday September 30, 20261. Who would use a mashie niblick?2. Which type of triangle has no equal sides?3. Which US President officially gave the White House its name?4. What does Popeye have tattooed on hs arm?Enjoy your day. 09/30/2026

When you read this post, I will already have landed in Belgium!   So excited to see this part of Europe.   Staying in Brussels for the first few days as a base.   Have a bus trip scheduled to Luxembourg and will take a train to Antwerp.   Then will stay in Bruges for a couple of days, and Ghent for a couple of days.   Coming back to Brussels the day before I come home.    Can't wait to see all the beauty Belgium has to offer!   I brought a raincoat and an umbrella, as the forecast has rain, but won't dampen my experiences!A fun fact, when my daughter was around 5, I had a foreign exchange student from Brussels.   Wish I knew where she was now.I'll share photos for you all along the way.... 10/01/2026

I met a couple in my building, the husband first a couple of months ago.  He is Portuguese, but his English is pretty good.   Then I met the wife just 3 weeks ago, and she's English.   WOW, they know EVERYONE in town.   He was born and raised here, so no wonder.When I needed a haircut, Shauna knew exactly who I should go to, and she said she is American.  FABULOUS!   Then I found out she is from Greenwood Village in DENVER!   OH MY, small world.  She is originally from Cape Town South Africa, and SO sweet.   Had my haircut yesterday, and she has a group of expats JUST from Denver.  We will all get together to have coffee or wine when I get back from my trip.My group of friends is growing, and LOVING it.    09/30/2026

Wordless Wednesday…Once a Year God willing, this day comes around for all of us every year.  And today is a reminder that being able to get up and go out for a morning walk is a gift.                                        (One of My First of Many Birthday Cakes) It is a reminder that the people we see every morning to say “hello” to on our walks, those in Cyberville (that’s YOU) we are privileged to see whenever we want, and every family member and friend we have are gifts.  Thank you for my gifts!!!One tip on not aging comes from the late Toby Keith. He was inspired to write this after meeting Clint Eastwood.                                       I live in that solitude which is painful in youth, but delicious in the years of maturity. Albert Einstein  Age has taught me that what othe... 09/30/2026

💛 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒𝐍’𝐓 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐀 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄… 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐀 𝐃𝐈𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄!I’m so excited to be part of an event that brings our community together for such an important cause! 💛 Join us for the 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐒𝐭. 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤. It’s going to be an afternoon of cornhole, food, fun, and, most importantly, helping support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. 🍋💛𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫, 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭! Kim Chadwick, REALTOR®Keller Williams Realty GroupKim Direct: 215-527-5134 Office: 610-792-5900 09/29/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Kelly 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 Losing a spouse is difficult, and taxes are likely the last thing on your mind. But the tax consequences arrive on a delayed schedule that creates a valuable planning window—one that closes quickly if no one is watching. Here is the timeline: For the year when your spouse dies, you may still file a joint return... 09/29/2026

If you have children and you own a business, here is a strategy worth your attention: hire them.Consider one example: A business owner pays her 13-year-old $16,100 in 2026 to work in her Schedule C business. The child owes zero federal income tax because the 2026 standard deduction for a single taxpayer is $16,100. Meanwhile, that $16,100 wage deduction reduces federal and state taxes and puts roughly $6,614 back in the owner’s pocket. The family keeps the full $22,714 (child has $16,100, the owner has $6,614).You can go further. Add a $7,500 deductible traditional IRA contribution to the child’s wages of $16,100, and the child can earn $23,600 with no federal tax at all. Better yet, if the wages stay at or below the standard deduction, put the money in a Roth instead—a deduction is wor... 10/04/2026

Losing a spouse is difficult, and taxes are likely the last thing on your mind. But the tax consequences arrive on a delayed schedule that creates a valuable planning window—one that closes quickly if no one is watching.Here is the timeline: For the year when your spouse dies, you may still file a joint return covering the entire year. If you maintain a household for a dependent child and do not remarry, you may file as a qualifying surviving spouse for the next two years, keeping the joint brackets and the joint standard deduction. After that, you file as a single taxpayer.That final step is where the “widow’s penalty” hits. Single-filer brackets sit at roughly half the joint thresholds, so the same income produces a much larger tax bill. On $400,000 of taxable income, filing status al... 09/29/2026

Hero Quote: “The glory of being handsome has been taken from me. If I had ever possessed it, but the glory of being honest remains.” — Roger Sherman  Content Summary Roger Sherman was born in Massachusetts in 1721. He began his career as a shoemaker. Through self-education, he became a respected political leader. Sherman served in the Continental Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He helped write foundational American governing documents. He played a major role in the Connecticut Compromise. Sherman died in 1793, leaving a lasting impact on the United States. Who was Roger Sherman? Roger Sherman was a Connecticut statesman, Founding Father, and Declaration of Independence signer. Originally a shoemaker, he became a lawyer, judge, legislator, and influential na... 10/03/2026

Start National Coffee Day with a (free or discounted) jolt! To celebrate the caffeinated holiday on Tuesday, Sept. 29, brands are offering everything from free coffees to discounts on the buzzy beverage. Take advantage of National Coffee Day deals and items. 09/29/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday September 28, 20261. What was the name of Zorro's horse?Toronado2. How fast can an ostrich run? 43mph3. What year did the construction of the Berlin Wall start? 19614. What is a dromedary? One-humped camelTrivia questions for Tuesday September 29, 20261. What kind of nut is used to make marzipan?2. Which US President kept silkworms?3. Red Stripe beer originated from what island country?4. How many white stripes. are there on the American Flag?Enjoy your day. 09/29/2026