Just for Fun

Did you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving?    I didn't cook much, so not much preparation was needed.   Woke Saturday morning to a dusting of snow - FINALLY.   That was our first flakes, and our average day is Oct. 14th.  VERY late this year! This week was still full of shredding, going through things, boxing for Goodwill, and putting more and more on Marketplace.    Saturday, I woke to 6 more inquiries!   It must be the weekend to shop!   My house is getting emptier and emptier!   Marketplace is still a weird place to "play".   I have gotten inquiries from Portugal, Mexico, and Venezuela.  (I don't ship...)Got notice from the Portuguese bank to create a PIN, so that part of the requirements is almost complete.   Now, if I could just get an appointment for the application!   Have tried ... 11/30/2025

Successful Christmas Shopping in Minutes with Grok! A lot of people still say that artificial intelligence (AI) is untrustworthy. Could be because no one fully understands how it works inside or many believe it's trained on messy, biased internet data. No matter the hesitation, it's here to stay! After an exhaustive search to replace my husband’s favorite, worn-out, go-to shirt for rare dates outside the Silo, I struck out with Google. Then I posted a quick photo I'd snapped on X, asked Grok for help and boom, found it in minutes!  🎉  Like magic, it pinpointed the exact match almost instantaneous. I was able to order it without hesitation on my part and it's now on the way before Christmas Day! Here's the prompt: Help me find who sells this shirt online: Specific to Your ShirtBased on t... 11/29/2025

Wrote and produced a Thanksgiving love song for my wife Leonor Maya Martinez (Mama) about our life here now on #LakeHuntley in Lake Placid, FL. What do you think?I can write and produce one for your special person, client, occasion, listing, product, or brand.Maybe a Welcome Home gift to your clients for you!? They won't ever forget you.Or a song about a new listing! That will get attention. This song has exploded in our community. It can for you too.Surprisingly affordable...Learn More [R. Michael Brown, Writer | Producer]#MusicVideo #SONGS #music 11/29/2025

Book Recommendation: Dig by J. H. MarkertDig (Scheduled publication date: March 24, 2026, Crooked Lane Books) is the new thriller by Louisville, Kentucky author J. H. Markert (James Markert). Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and his books.The soil on Crow Island holds secrets, and they’re ready to be unearthed.J.H. Markert returns with a surreal horror novel perfect for fans of Graveyard Shift and What Moves the Dead.Eight years ago, a boy took up an axe and slaughtered a dozen people. That odd, troubled boy, Jericho Dodd, has been dead and buried in his father’s yard for years, but ever since that massacre, Crow Island has been a dark and unsettling place.When Jericho’s father begins digging up the past he buried, a compulsion to dig sweeps over the... 12/03/2025

Trivia questions for Friday November 28, 20251. Did you eat too much turkey?2. Did you eat too much stuffing?3. Did you eat too many mashed potatoes.?4. Did you dine in or dine out?No wrong answers just expanded waistlines and possible indigestion. How about you?Trivia questions for Saturday November 29, 20251. Which US President received offers to play in the NFL?2. What does the term AWOL stand for in the military?3. Which US state has the most lighthouses?4. Which country has the oldest flag in the world?Enjoy your day! 11/29/2025

Journaling for Saturday, November 29, 2025  The word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a word that was created for the movie Mary Poppins. This a word that describes something wonderful! It exemplifies the quote Everything is possible, even the impossible! Can you imagine doing a job, any job, that would be wonderful if you made it fun? Another great line from Mary Poppins is: Nothing is gone forever, only out of place. This line comes from the song The Place Where Lost Things Go.In every job that needs to be done finding joy is the secret to having fun while doing something others will appreciate. The next time you sit down to eat a meal, think about the person who made your meal including all the details, preparation, and time it took to bring it to the table. The real attraction ... 11/29/2025

 This Week…Leftover Dump…Yum! When I looked at the title again, it occurred to me that it might sound a little off-putting.  But, what the heck.  This is a “recipe” I shared a few years ago, and I thought it would be perfect for an after-Thanksgiving meal. My friend, Joannie, is an excellent cook, and she showed me, among many other things, what to do with Thanksgiving leftovers.  When Larry tried it for the first time, he gave it a thumbs up! I don’t use a recipe, but here is one from the internet. Just as in other savory dishes, you can add ingredients or not…make it your own.  Here’s what I do …In an 8x8 or 9x13 casserole dish, lightly greased, layer your Thanksgiving leftovers.  Try to keep your layers the same size for even cooking.   After greasing the casserole dish, I layer left... 11/29/2025

El Arroyo stands as an iconic Austin gem, renowned for crafting the finest hand-squeezed margaritas and serving up delectable Black Angus beef tacos, among a plethora of other Tex-Mex delights, since 1975!Situated at the corner of West 5th and Campbell, this local favorite boasts a quirky marquee that captures attention. Daily, the billboard transforms with a fresh pun, spanning the spectrum of wit and humor, making it a delightful fixture at the heart of Austin's culinary scene. The laughter doesn't stop there—they share these puns on Instagram, drawing in admirers like our very own Kathy Streib, and Debe Maxwell, CRS, is also in on the fun. In a world where a daily chuckle is a necessity, following El Arroyo's Instagram for the latest pun is a shared joy.Wishing you endless smiles! Ha... 12/05/2025

Being Thankful in Hobe Sound, Florida! Living in Hobe Sound has a way of slowing you down long enough to actually appreciate the good stuff. Not the polished, Instagram-filtered good stuff, but the real-life, sand-in-your-car, sun-on-your-face good stuff. This corner of Martin County is unpretentious, naturally gorgeous and consistently reminds you to breathe like a normal human being instead of someone sprinting through life with a half-charged phone and a to-do list that could legally qualify as a novel.  Gratitude hits different here. You wake up to sunshine that looks like it was custom ordered. The ocean breeze is already waiting for you. The streets feel calm in a way that makes you wonder why people voluntarily choose cold weather or traffic jams that last longer than most marri... 11/28/2025

It's the day after ThanksgivingIt's a bustling affairYipes, it's Black Friday       There's Christmas shopping in the air! Here's an ideaThe day was filled with activity. Our grandson (18 mos old) arrived with his parents in tow...lol, so he was the center of attention. He played the room well. I wondered if I ever had that much energy. Son #1 arrived with his dog, Gotrek, a bull terrier, and a load of homemade food. Son #3 and his fiancée arrived with homemade sourdough bread AND pumpkin bread. Later in the day, other family members popped in and out, bringing desserts. We ate a traditional meal e.g., Turkey, Stuffing, Mashed Potatoes, Butternut Squash, Corn, and all kinds of desserts. Of course, there was a day of football where all but one of my picks won. I had Dallas, Cincinnati, &... 11/28/2025

  Total Time: 30 mins Yields: 4 servings     Ingredients: 2 tbsp. canola oil 2 tbsp. Thai red curry paste 1/2 small kabocha squash 1 c. unsweetened coconut milk 1 tbsp. Asian fish sauce 3 c. roasted turkey 3 tbsp. fresh lime juice 1/2 c. mixed herbs, such as cilantro and basil kosher salt Pepper     Directions: In a large saucepan, heat the oil. Add the curry paste and squash and cook over high heat, stirring, until lightly caramelized, 3 minutes. Add the coconut milk, fish sauce and 4 cups of water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until the squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Stir in the turkey, lime juice and herbs and season with salt and pepper. 11/28/2025

Thanksgiving is behind us but today many of those that gave thanks yesterday will shop today. While shopping, please don't be ugly with those around you. Be patient with lines, lots of people and be kind.Also consider shopping local. When you shop in big box stores, you line to pockets of wealthy people and stockholders. Local businesses are the lifeline of our consumer markets. Local business owners spend their money locally. The use local businesses support your community. They shop, send their kits to dance or karate lessons, etc.Consider gift certificates for hair or nail salons, massage therapists, local cleaning services, your local stores and other small businesses. Keep local restaurants in business by supporting them. Choose a local bakery over the grocery store bakery. Don't b... 11/28/2025

Trivia question answers for Thursday November 27, 20251. Pes planus refers to which condition? Flat feet2. What are the gases that surround the Earth called? Atmosphere 3. What is the most commonly broken human bone? Clavicle 4. What do climbers rub on their hands for extra grip? ChalkTrivia questions for Friday November 28, 20251. Did you eat too much turkey?2. Did you eat too much stuffing?3. Did you eat too many mashed potatoes.?4. Did you dine in or dine out?Enjoy your day! 11/28/2025

Journaling for Friday, November 28, 2025 What can you do today to make yourself feel good about today, next month, for the upcoming holidays, or for no other reason than because you deserve to feel good?  Can you paint it? Bake it? Or create something new?          Did you really want to do something, but it didn't come to fruition? A get away. You never know if you don't try.  Do you need to try a new marketing style that will help you to succeed? Are there places you can go locally to meet and greet new people?  If you had 30 days to pack up and move, could you do it?What if you tried - How far would you get? If you were able to do it in your 20's, could you do it now at your age?  By looking in the mirror at yourself, is there something you can do to change your appearance?   Can you... 11/28/2025

                                                     Illusion vs  Realty                                                        Sam Shueh                                                        BRG Realty                                                        Silicon Valley, CA                                      (408) 425-1601  SamshuehRealtor at Gmail.com There is often an explanation for every anolomy. An anomaly is something that is different and deviates from standard or expected.  This is what I saw sitting in Silicon Valley in a business shopping center near Sunnyvale this week.There are plenty of Model 3, SEX, and even Cybertruck in this part of Silicon Valley comprise of over 30% vehicles are electric vehicles. It had label US Army front, back and sides on a model 3.   Did I se... 11/27/2025

Friday Fun…I Guess the Turkey Wasn’t The Only One Who Got Stuffed Are we all stuffed? I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving doing what you wanted to do with those you wanted to be with. We had fewer for dinner this year…22, and some who stopped by for dessert. We seemed to have an abundance of yellowish casseroles in addition to the green bean casserole, turkey, and dressing. We had squash casserole, Jiffy corn mix casserole, macaroni and cheese, corn pudding, and two potato casseroles. Not sure what that was about!  And don’t forget the stars of any family gathering…desserts…Chocolate pie, apple pie, pecan pie, pear spice cake, cream cheese pound cake, brownies…oh yes, pumpkin chocolate chip cookies.  At one point, all I wanted to do was sit down and watch football!   That said,  I r... 11/28/2025

Can not wait to 6 p m tonight to have our turkey with friends.  It is a pot luck and always to much food, I think we have 15 pies like last year.  I have a mince meat pie that is tradition every year started by my grandfather.  We doctor it up with booze like my dad use to.  People always ask if I am making one each year.  Of course, it tradition!!! Hope you all have friends to share the day with and lots of food! Posted by 11/27/2025

🐈Tango, Trey, and Tom Boy 12-4-25☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI know that there are many cat lovers in the Rain, so now you can follow the adventures of Tango, Trey, and Tom Boy if you love pictures of cats!  I welcome everyone to share photos of your cats along with your comments.☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian 12/04/2025

Book Recommendation: The Widow by John GrishamThe Widow (October, 2025, Doubleday) is the latest legal thriller by John Grisham. You will definitely want to include this book on your reading list. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and his many books.Simon Latch is a lawyer in rural Virginia, making just enough to pay his bills while his marriage slowly falls apart. Then into his office walks Eleanor Barnett, an elderly widow in need of a new will. Apparently, her husband left her a small fortune, and no one knows about it.Once he hooks the richest client of his career, Simon works quietly to keep her wealth under the radar. But soon her story begins to crack. When she is hospitalized after a car accident, Simon realizes that nothing is as it seems, an... 12/01/2025

Journaling for Thanksgiving Day 11/27/2025 The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade occurred on November 27, 1924. My parents weren’t even born. Yet, I am grateful for all the family Thanksgiving meals I shared with them. The closest I got to a Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Day Parade was watching the Parade on television!  As a kid, waiting for Santa Clause to appear at the end of the parade taught me to be patient.  For as long as I can remember, the artistically and colorfully crafted parade floats were mesmerizing! Many happy hands made them all possible. Tony Sarg was the genius who designed the marionette-filled Macy’s window display that brought the world of magic to life! I learned that his first giant ballon was Felix the Cat! Oh my gosh, how I loved Felix the Cat! Sarg continued to ... 11/27/2025