Just for Fun

She embraced me, held me close and said, “welcome home.”   The September challenge "Blog 53 Words Challenge" is being hosted by Nick Vandekar and Patricia Feager. The assignment is to write a 53 Word Story about any topic of interest. With the topic of the challenge being a wide open book, I looked out the window, picked my subject and came up with the below story.   She embraced me, held me close and said, “welcome home.”Her countenance often changed by the minuteSometimes stormy and other times calm or beautifulShe required a lot of work in terms of upkeepBut I was always rewarded for my energyI continued to love her anywayWho is she?"Montana"   That was my 53 word story. But we're not done yet! The challenge also asks us to share in at least 300 words, what we did, whether it was eas... 09/08/2024

Happy Labor DayLabor Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. When I was growing up in New York it was the LAST big party before we went back to school (usually that Thursday). It was still warm enough to go to the beach, or swimming in the pool, or staying out late with your friends!I think we need to spend just a minute thinking about the great men and woman for which we actually celebrate the holiday. Those who built the roads, bridges, tunnels. Those who built skyscrapers, taught our children and toiled in our hospitals. Those who went out every day to make America Great. Enjoy your BBQ  :) 09/02/2024

Congratulations, you just made it through the toughest part of being a fulltime Floridian!  The month of September you feel the change and looking at the 15-day forecast we are talking highs in the mid to upper 80’s and evening in the mid to upper 70’s.  Humidity is dropping and it’s time for parties and festivals.  My goal is to keep you informed on fun events in and around The Villages Florida and I have 5 events planned for you.Michelle and I host 3 parties and our social club host 2 that I am going to invite you to attend, this kicks off in October.  First our Rio-One Social Club which is very active has two events open to all.  On Monday, October 14th from 4:00 until 7:00 we have our annual Oktoberfest which is always well attended.  For $12 you get Brats, Rolls, Sauerkraut, German... 09/03/2024

Trivia question answers for Sunday September 1, 20241. What company printed its first mail-order cataloging 1887? Sears Roebuck & Co.2. What is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes"? Minnesota 3. What is the granular substance that bees collect called? Pollen4. What is the largest land animal that can swim but not jump?  The African ElephantTrivia questions for Monday September 2, 20241. What is a male witch called?2. What is a female kangaroo called?3. What is the summer counterpart of hypernation?4. Are pumpkins fruits or vegetables?Enjoy your day. 09/02/2024

Well in all fairness I had this tool for over three or four years and have been meaning to make a meal with it. As we all know time, focus and distractions kept it in my cupboard for so long.Well today was the day I decided to play with it and how fun it was. Converting three zucchinis into something that looks like pasta:)))The meal was great, tasted light, now I will need to play with it more and improve on it.Not bad for a first attempt.Wishing you a safe and healthy life and I look forward to your comments. If you are looking for a knowledgeable, focused and goal-oriented Realtor in the Beverly Hills area who will help you achieve your Real Estate goals, please reach out to me directly! If you are looking for a pet friendly Beverly Hills Realtor who can handle and sell the most diff... 09/01/2024

The September challenge "Blog 53 Words Challenge" is being hosted by Nick Vandekar and Patricia Feager. The assignment is to write a 53 Word Story about any topic of interest. With the topic of the challenge being a wide open book, I looked out the window, picked my subject and came up with the below story. She embraced me, held me close and said, “welcome home.”Her countenance often changed by the minuteSometimes stormy and other times calm or beautifulShe required a lot of work in terms of upkeepBut I was always rewarded for my energyI continued to love her anywayWho is she?"Montana" That was my 53 word story. But we're not done yet! The challenge also asks us to share in at least 300 words, what we did, whether it was easy or hard and to share our tips and advice. I'm thinking 300 wo... 09/02/2024

Motivational Monday…Putting It In Practice Last week I shared quotes from Thich Nhat Hanh about being in the present. Mindfulness is like daily homework for me.  Twice this weekend I was reminded of how important it is to just let my God-given camera lens (my eyes) capture the moment. On an early morning walk we noticed a  squirrel on the ground just beneath a large tree. I would have missed it but for a passing walker who said to her friend “Look, the mama is trying to rescue her baby.” I stopped to look and tried unsuccessfully to grab my iPhone. I missed capturing that moment to share with you but I’m grateful my bio-camera lens caught it.  Next, on our Sunday morning walk we noticed a large black grackle (I call them the McDonalds’s birds) with a large green leaf in its beak. The ot... 09/02/2024

Labor Day, an annual celebration of workers and their achievements, originated during one of American labor history’s most dismal chapters.In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled in mills, factories and mines across the country, earning a fraction of their adult counterparts’ wages.People of all ages, particularly the very poor and recent immigrants, often faced extremely unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities and breaks.As manufacturing increasingly supplanted agriculture as the wellspring of American employment, labor unions, whi... 09/02/2024

Earlier in the summer, I wrote a post on Electroculture Gardening. It was an experiment that I wanted to test. The results have been overwhelming! My garden has gone nuts! Every bed I placed a rod and copper wire have grown to the max! And, I have noticed that the plants are more vibrant, disease-resistant, and bug resistant.Here is a before and after picture:       BEFOREAFTERSame bed, different angle. And, check out the amount of basil! Wow!  09/01/2024

It took me another day to get out to the garden to pick the fresh basil for this recipe. Saturday Soundness is Sunday Soundness! 😀 And let me tell you, it is worth the wait!Freshly grown basil offers you so many health benefits. The beautiful essential oil that comes from this plant can help to lower blood pressure, regulate the fats in your system, provide needed magnesium for your cardiovascular system, and, can soothe your muscles and blood vessels. What's not to love about all of that? I have so much fresh basil growing in my garden (see my post on Electroculture gardening), that I needed to start making some great products to utilize this abundance. Today, I am sharing my Fresh Basil Hummus!Here is the easy-to-make recipe:🍃 A handful of fresh, basil leaves🍃 Organic Garbanzo beans (... 09/01/2024

  Today I decided to try and eat as much as I can at a Canadian Football Stadium called BMO Field, Ontario, Canada. Today the Argos take on the roughriders. If this sounds like an exciting video you’ll want to watch then grab something to eat, sit back, and enjoy this video! Week 1 NFL picks, predictions, best bets from Vegas expert:    YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real Estate NeedsPHONE   Bill   at   602-999-0952Text         Bill   at    602-999-0952Email      Bill    at     billAZElite@cox.net Read other YVP Blogs hereFor more information, Call or Text: 602-999-0952eMail: golfarizona@cox.netBill Salvatore / Arizona Elite PropertiesYour Valley Property TeamResidential Sales, Marketing, and Property ManagementSelling Arizona for more than 19 year... 09/10/2024

  I have enjoyed watching football for many year, however going to the stadium to watch a game is overwhelming for a quite person like myself, thanks for going and posting. The last time I went to a stadium it was for a Dodger’s Baseball game. While getting a hot dog with jalapeños, a jalapeño fell below directly into to the huge Butt crack of the person sitting below me, I didn’t have the courage to tell him, and the party I was with found it hilarious.  Week 1 NFL picks, predictions, best bets from Vegas expert: This 3-team football parlay pays out almost 6-1  YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real Estate NeedsPHONE   Bill   at   602-999-0952Text         Bill   at    602-999-0952Email      Bill    at     billAZElite@cox.net Read other YVP Blogs here... 09/03/2024

A recipe from the kitchen of Will Hamm.    ngredients   1 Half Chicken 1/2 cup Olive oil, plus more for brushing grates 1/2 cup Orange juice 2 Lemons, juiced 3 Limes, juiced 1/4 cup Chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish 8 cloves Garlic, minced 2 tsp Chopped fresh oregano 1 tsp Ground cumin 2 tsp Salt 1 tsp Pepper 1 (15-oz) can Black beans, rinsed and drained 2 cups Cooked long-grain white rice, kept warm Preparation   Place the chicken in a resealable bag. Add the oil, orange juice, lemon juice, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper. Massage the mixture into the chicken to cover completely. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, or refrigerate several hours or overnight. Brush excess marinade off the chicken. Heat the grill or grill pan to medium he... 09/04/2024

Life’s uncertainty often creates opportunities for personal growth. Instead of resisting what you cannot control, embrace the journey ahead.   Navigating Life’s Unpredictability with Grace and Resilience   Understanding Life’s Uncertainties   Life is filled with surprises. Each day brings new challenges, twists, and turns that can feel overwhelming. While some individuals seek control in every situation, embracing uncertainty can offer a fresh perspective. By learning to accept the unpredictability of life, you can find a sense of peace amidst chaos.   The Power of Acceptance   Acceptance is the first step in coping with uncertainty. When you acknowledge that not everything can be controlled, stress often diminishes. Try shifting your mindset from anxiety and fear to curiosity and openn... 09/03/2024

WOW! Lots of legs!  And girls.  Are you present?  This is an old and somewhat fascinating picture of a huge group of girls who were selected to attend Girls State in 1953.  It was given to me by one of my most dedicated Searcy Sleuths, Anita Hart Fuller.  I had to put an arrow beside her head.  She and others (I don't know who they were or where they are in this picture.) represented Searcy AR.  It is fun to look back and notice styles at that time. Plaid shirts and caps and shorts were in. Notice one girl on the front row has on a skirt. And what's with the decorated legs on a few of the girls? Have fun with your search! Google info.Arkansas Girls State is a summer program of education that has been sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary, Department of Arkansas since 1942. By 2014,... 09/02/2024

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. - Ralph Waldon EmersonIt is not the mountain we conquer but ourselves - Edmund HillaryThe sooner we learn to be jointly responsible, the easier the sailing will be. - Ella MaillartIf we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living. - Luius Annaeus SenecaTwenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones that you did do. - Mark Twain  09/01/2024

I was about 15 years old when I was in the backyard playing when my father screamed bloody murder... I could imagine what happened. When I opened the back door, soap bubbles were up to my chest high and pouring out the door. My dad isn't one to over react but he sure did that day. "What do we do?"... I wanted to say "We?, what do you do?" that wouldn't have ended well for me so we cleaned up the mess.  Have you ever done that?Enough foolishness. In my next post, I'll return to my regular posts about how we help you build your business.wwwrenovationcontractors.us 09/01/2024

No doubt about it—the happiest time of the year has returned for my grandson, Hudson! Hudson’s first Pop Warner game of the 2024 season was Saturday and they beat the Vipers 18-14! Family and friends turned out in full force to cheer on Hudson (#16) and the Trojans! With his dad helping coach, it was a true family day filled with support and excitement. The 2024 football season promises to be filled with surprising plays, strong teamwork, and the camaraderie that makes being part of a team so special. Go Trojans! 09/01/2024

September 2nd Puzzle - National Blueberry Popsicle 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. 09/02/2024

Trivia question answers for Saturday August 31, 20241. An "omniscient" person has unlimited what? Knowledge2. Chablis wines come from which French wine region? Burgundy3. What was Scrabble originally called? Lexico4. How many husbands did Elizabeth Taylor have? 7Trivia questions for Sunday September 1, 20241. What company printed its first mail-order cataloging 1887?2. What is the "Land of 10,000 Lakes"?3. What is the granular substance that bees collect called?4. What is the largest land animal that can swim but not jump? Enjoy your day. 09/01/2024