Just for Fun

Book Recommendaton: A Bitter Cut by Anna Lee HuberA Bitter Cut (June, 2026, Berkley Mystery) is book number 14 of the Lady Darby Mystery series by award winning author Anna Lee Huber (Anna Aycock). Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her books. Lady Kiera Darby plans to spend the summer reconnecting with friends and family in anticipation of the betrothal of her beloved brother. But when a future in-law is implicated in a murder, the party takes a deadly turn. . . .July 1833. Lady Darby and her dashing husband, Sebastian Gage, are settling into their newly renovated home at Bevington Park in Warkwickshire with their young daughter. With the breach between them and Sebastian’s father recently healed, they've agreed to help host a country house party ... 07/02/2026

Don't fix what isn't broken...... has always been one of my favorite sayings. It applies to so many aspects of life. Relationships, appliances, methods of all sorts, and even literature (like the Bible).I am a tinkerer and I love to fix things, even things I bought at the dollar store BUT I'm not like Tim Taylor who modifies even new items in the hope of "more power!).It does not happen often but during my career as a Realtor I have seen new home owners get into trouble (over their head) making repairs and/or modifications that didn't need to be made.A good example would be a new home owner who is also a do-it-yourselfer changing out a dishwasher. The old washer worked fine but they wanted upgrade to a newer model.Gee, a dishwasher uses water AND electricity... what could go wrong with ... 06/30/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday June 29, 20261. What is the 3 letter code for O'Hare International Airport? ORD2. What do antioxidants neutralize? Free radicals3. What do the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Louvre have in common?    A design by the same architect4. What was the first item ever sold on eBay? A broken laser pointerTrivia questions for Tuesday June 30, 20261. Where were dinosaurs first discovered? 2. Saint Valentine is the patron saint of which specific disease?3. What number is represented by "C" in Roman numerals?4. What was Buddy Holly's backing band?Enjoy your day.  06/30/2026

Just a Thought… In acknowledging social media day, I was prompted to do some wandering around cyberville for when the term was introduced. The answer…there is no definitive one, although many give that honor to Darrell Berry. There is no joy in possession without sharing.Erasmus When you think about it, the growth and influence of social media were almost inevitable. As human beings, we have an innate need to connect with one another. That connection can be as simple as a handshake, a smile, or a thumbs-up, or it can come through a phone call, a handwritten letter, an email, or a text message.In some ways, you could consider the smoke signals or Morse code as early forms of social media.  My observation has been that when a new platform debuts, it is by younger adults. It is soon taken ... 06/30/2026

4th of July at Eagle Ridge! This year we are combining two favorite activities - Cars & Coffee and the Parade!! Join your community Saturday July 4 for the festivities! 9:00 - 11:00am Cars & Coffee in Pool Clubhouse parking lot All vehicle types are welcome! Bring your decorated golf carts for special spot in the lot.  11:00am (10:45 am line up) at Troon Park for the annual neighborhood Parade!Decorate your golf carts, bikes, scooters and wagons. 11:30am meet back at Clubhouse Patio for light snacks & refreshments We need help setting up! Please contact Maria to volunteer at 415-583-7792 06/29/2026

As I mentioned in my last camping blog, my husband and I are going to attempt to take quite a few one-night camping trips to nearby locations this summer. One night means we won't miss any days in the garden and greenhouse, but also gives us some time to explore and play. I thought it would be fun to provide an overview of the campgrounds we visit. I'm also going to make clear we aren't really roughing it. We have a self-sufficient 19+ foot camper-van with all the amenities we need - a kitchen, bathroom, shower, queen sized bed, heat, air conditioning, solar, etc.  That being said, I'll provide information about whether the campground being reported on is good for tent and RV camping as well. Our most recent trip was to Thompson Chain of Lakes which is west of Kalispell off of Route 2. ... 06/30/2026

Over the last few years I've written a lot of posts about North Dakota being under drought and sever drought conditions. Early this year (2026) moisture had been adequate to slightly lacking. Today I can tell you God has greatly replenished our topsoil moisture and more. It's been years since Timmothy (my son) and I have had to mow the lawn twice a week. The rabbits in our yard are loving it. At last count I'd say we have about eight bunnies frolicking around in glee. They are such a delight to watch.It has been very exciting to watch our garden and potted plants take off and "reach for the sky".As for our lawn, it was looking very pathetic this spring, (especially after I accidently hit much of it with Roundup last year thinking I was using WeednFeed) but even it is looking green and l... 06/29/2026

Trivia question answers for Sunday June 28, 20261. In which decade was the word "internet" coined? 1980's2. A 25 to 31 mph wind on the Beaufort scale is called what? Strong breeze3. Which party game involves a shifting shortage of seats? Musical chairs4. Who was the first US president born in a hospital?  Jimmy CarterTrivia questions for Monday June 29, 20261. What is the 3 letter code for O'Hare International Airport?2. What do antioxidants neutralize?3. What do the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Louvre have in common?4. What was the first item ever sold on eBay?Enjoy your day.  06/29/2026

Everyone loves to see beautiful photos from all over the world, I know I certainly do.  Makes me want to travel and see the locations with my own eyes.Since I know when my appointment is with AIMA, either later in August or first of September I could rent a car and go for a road trip and see more of this beautiful Country. When I was here in 2023, I visited Nazare, which is the home of the largest waves in Portugal.   They can be very dangerous.  Nazare is North of Lisbon.This is a beach West of Arrifana, Portugal, which I still need to see.  A town all built on the cliffs above the ocean.   This area is a bit south of Porto in Northern Portugal.Lagos is a beautiful town, with absolutely beautiful tiling in their streets.  This is where I went for a boat trip to the Benagil Caves, which... 06/29/2026

It seems that people need a laugh – especially on Friday. So, we dig back in to classic comedy scenes from a much better age of television. Some clips I found from past TV comedy when TV comedy meant something far different from today. A more innocent time and a time of real quality. Hope you enjoy the clips. Due to the length, there is just 1 clip per week. Enjoy! 07/10/2026

It seems that people need a laugh – especially on Friday. So, we dig back in to classic comedy scenes from a much better age of television. Some clips I found from past TV comedy when TV comedy meant something far different from today. A more innocent time and a time of real quality. Hope you enjoy the clips. Due to the length, there is just 1 clip per week. Enjoy! 07/03/2026

It seems that people need a laugh – especially on Friday. So, we dig back in to classic comedy scenes from a much better age of television. Some clips I found from past TV comedy when TV comedy meant something far different from today. A more innocent time and a time of real quality. Hope you enjoy the clips. Due to the length, there is just 1 clip per week. Enjoy! 07/03/2026

Motivational Monday…Who Inspires You? Who inspires you the most but doesn't even know it? When I read this question (not sure where),  I was surprised by how many names came to mind. Some were famous people I’d never met, and others were friends and acquaintances. A few were people I’d observed from a distance, yet what they did left me with a lasting impression. It made me realize that the people who influence our lives don't always realize they've had an impact. Sometimes it's through a conversation. Sometimes it's by the example they set. And sometimes it's simply by the way they live their lives. When I was an affiliate with the Women’s Council of Realtors, there was an agent who had a profound impact on me simply by the way she listened to others. When I gave the meeting’s inspirat... 06/29/2026

Dr. Paula McDonald recently (June 27, 2026) posted a blog about What Painted Hermit Crabs Can Teach Us About Life. What she was writing mirrored Wayne Dwyer’s quote:“When you change how you look at things, the things you look at will change.”Her post reminded me of a photograph that I had recently taking when driving the 1.6 mile dirt road that faces the Black Mountains and leads to my house.  As I was driving, I noticed something different about the Black Mountains, something that caught my attention, something that I had never seen before given that I have driven this road at least hundreds of times going to and from our home. Yet I never saw what I saw that day.Maybe the reason for this change was  because the sun was hitting this area of the Black Mountains just right or possibly, I... 06/28/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Kat 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 06/28/2026

Book Recommendation: In the Woods by Tana FrenchIn the Woods (2007) is murder mystery novel number one of the Dublin Murder Squad Books by the New York Times bestselling Irish author Tana French. Click on the link to learn more about the author and her books. There are six books in this series.As dusk approaches a small Dublin suburb in the summer of 1984, mothers begin to call their children home. But on this warm evening, three children do not return from the dark and silent woods. When the police arrive, they find only one of the children. He is gripping a tree trunk in terror, wearing blood-filled sneakers and unable to recall a single detail of the previous hours.Twenty years later, the found boy, Rob Ryan, is a detective on the Dublin Murder Squad and keeps his past a secret. But ... 06/30/2026

When we are down at the sea, we take at least two walks a day on the beach. My favorite time of day is the first thing in the morning. Our two dogs, Scout (the mini-weiner) and Rusti (the Goldendoodle), understand when we say "beach"! They become quite animated and sit by the door awaiting the daily trek.What is interesting is that on different days, various sea creatures are deposited on the shore. Sometimes there are more shells, sometimes lots of jellyfish, and today, these cool, little animals commonly called Blue Buttons dotted the shore.Of course, I had to stop and take lots of pictures as their coloring and structure were captivating. I came home and did a little research on these guys. Here is what I discovered:🐚 These creatures are actually Hydrozoan Polyps and not jellyfish. 🐚... 06/28/2026

Italian Pasta Salad Recipe  Prep Time: 15 mins Total Time: 20 mins Yields: 6-8     Ingredients: For The Pasta 16 oz. fusili pasta, cooked according to package instructions 8 oz. mozzarella balls, halved 4 oz. salami, quartered 2 c. baby spinach 1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved 1 c. artichoke hearts, chopped 1/2 c. pitted black olives, sliced For The Dressing 1/3 c. olive oil 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 garlic clove, minced 2 tsp. Italian seasoning 1 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley Pinch red pepper flakes Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Directions: In a large bowl, toss together pasta, mozzarella, salami, spinach, tomatoes, artichokes, and olives. To make the dressing, add olive oil, vinegar, garlic, Italian seasoning, parsley, and red pepper flakes to a jar and secure with a lid then s... 06/28/2026

Growth requires moving on. Sometimes we outgrow careers. We can outgrow friendships and old fears. There are times when we need to leave the version of ourselves we've carried for years. That outgrown shell has become a burden, and it may be time to let it go. Growth can feel awkward—much like a hermit crab scurrying across open sand, completely vulnerable while searching for a new shell. It's uncomfortable, uncertain, and a little scary.    We were visiting a local beach gift shop here in Galveston. You've likely seen the bin full of cute, little hermit crabs with their shells covered in flowers, sports logos, neon colors, or funny sayings. They're undeniably cute.   But the hermit crab didn't choose that shell. It simply moved into the best home it could find. One that fit nicely and ... 07/05/2026

Trivia question answers for Saturday June 27, 20261. "Typo" is short for what "two-word term"? Typographical error2. What forest was home to Robin Hood? Sherwood Forest3. What is poliosis? Graying of hair4. What is the active ingredient in smelling salts? AmmoniaTrivia questions for Sunday June 28, 20261. In which decade was the word "internet" coined?2. A 25 to 31 mph wind on the Beaufort scale is called what?3. Which party game involves a shifting shortage of seats?4. Who was the first US president born in a hospital? Enjoy your day.  06/28/2026