Just for Fun

Friday Flags: A Nice View from a Waterbury RoadwayComing out of a store in Waterbury this week, my attention was caught by a hard waving flag in the parking lot of a building. I pulled into the driveway and the person with me asked what I was doing.  I merely told her I had to take a photo of the flag to continue a post series.The building has several tenants, but the primary tenant is a German company called Drew Marine. They specialize in heavy duty coatings for ships, and this office is warehousing and administrative.I knew if I waited briefly, I would get the shot I wanted.This pause was 5 minutes f y day, and more than worth the wait.Friday Flags: A Nice from View a Waterbury Roadway  04/24/2026

Friday Fun…It’s All About Weiners While roaming around Cyberville, I realized that today is Pigs-in-a-Blanket Day.  My mind went to the small cocktail sausages wrapped in dough, then baked. Served at cocktail parties, you could dip them in mustard or some other sauce. Pigs-in-a Blanket is not something I usually eat. However, I love hot dogs with lots of mustard and relish. I usually have at least one a year…on July Fourth!Last week, Larry and I were craving hot dogs for dinner while we watched our Astros. We NEVER have anything like that, but we thought…why not?   Just one problem…The last time I bought hot dogs was for a large family lunch. The buns came in packs of 8, but a pack of hot dogs had 10. Now, I discovered that Nathan’s has an 8-count, and Hebrew National sells a 6-count.  ... 04/24/2026

Who would have thunk that there are two kinds of Hay Fever? I think we are all acquainted with or aware of Hay Fever, especially this time of year.For those who own guinea pigs or rabbits we/they are familiar with the hay fever that Philemon has in todays cartoon. Timothy Hay to a guinea pig is like Filet Mignon to me. 04/25/2026

What is it?  The crowned jewel of Gulf Shrimp, the Royal Red is a tastier species compared to the pink, white, and brown varieties. While few had even heard of the Royal Red before the mid-90s, it has since grown to be immensely popular with locals and well-informed tourists along the Gulf Coast. Royal Red Shrimp can be identified by their large size, rich crimson color and their naturally salty and flavorful taste that has been compared to both Lobster and Bay Scallops.Where does it come from?  Because they prefer sandy environments and cool temperatures, the Royal Red Shrimp live at distances that reach sixty miles from the shoreline. Only a select few Gulf Coast fishermen are licensed to harvest Royal Reds, which are immediately frozen when they’re brought on board because of the dis... 04/25/2026

🐈Tango, Trey, and Tom Boy 4-30-26☀️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 04/30/2026

Excited to be preparing a two-part interview with Thrill The Villages.  The plan is to share part one Tuesday April 28th and part two Thursday the 30th.  Please watch next week as I not only interview two zombies but share videos of them performing! You’ve seen us THRILL at Brownwood Square, Spanish Springs, Sawgrass, Edna’s on the Green, Brown's Adventure Farm & Country Store, Downtown Leesburg, Wildwood Vineyard & Events, Halloween Spooktacular in Wildwood.  Thriller Dance group that has been Thrilling the Villages since 2020.Thrill the World was founded in 2006 in Toronto, Canada and has now spread to six continents! Every October thousands of people/zombies around the world come together to raise funds for charity while celebrating dance, music, and community. Ines Markeljevic is th... 04/23/2026

I watch a newspaper from Portugal, and they are HOPING they have enough jet fuel to supply flights through August.   This may be more for Europe, not as much for the United States.   An article I read said the US is more insulated, but depending on the number of summer trips.    Some airlines have announced flight cancellations.My attorney told me yesterday that when I go into the immigration office in Portugal, they WILL NOT be holding my passport, so I will be able to travel.   Sure hope now, I will be able to travel to other countries.Hope if you have planned to fly this summer, you run into no issues!   04/23/2026

Trivia question answers for Wednesday April 22, 20261. If a triangle has two equal side, it is a what? Isosceles 2. What psychotherapist smoked 20 cigars a day? Sigmund Freud3. What are baby bears called? Cubs4. What is 11 squared? 121Trivia questions for Thursday April 23, 20261. What do x and Y chromosomes combine in making?2. Sugar gives baked goods what kind of texture?3. What was Smokey Robinson's backup band?4. What is regularly the number one seller at Walmart?Enjoy your day.  04/22/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Wanda 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  Fastest Trip Ever!   Three lifelong friends decided to meet at the local bar to have a few drinks. As a pre-caution, they ordered an Uber to be the designated driver for the trip home. As the day came to an end, they stumbled, weaving their way back to the car.   They had all imbibed well past the feel go... 04/22/2026

Book Recommendation: Distant Shores by Kristin HannahDistant Shores (2002) is an excellent novel by the New York Times bestselling author Kristin Hannah. This is a good selection for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to learn more about the author and her books.In her remarkable New York Times bestseller, Summer Island, Kristin Hannah struck a chord in readers and critics alike with her portrayal of the bittersweet reunion between an errant mother and her unforgiving daughter. Now Hannah once again reveals the fragile ties that bind a family in transition, as two people choose to escape the limits of their ordinary lives and reach for the extraordinary promise that lies on Distant Shores.Elizabeth and Jackson Shore married young, raised two daughters, and weathered the storms of ... 04/27/2026

 Fastest Trip Ever! Three lifelong friends decided to meet at the local bar to have a few drinks. As a pre-caution, they ordered an Uber to be the designated driver for the trip home. As the day came to an end, they stumbled, weaving their way back to the car. They had all imbibed well past the feel good part! Once seatbelts were clasped, as a joke, the driver turned the engine on, turned it off and said, "We're here!" The first man paid him. The second one thanked him. The third guy slapped him! The driver was getting ready for a brawl but asked, "What's your problem?" The drunk slurred, "Next time my man, slow down, you almost killed us!" Enjoy the ride folks, laugh often, embrace those true connections, we're unsure of how many more trips are left in life's journey.  04/22/2026

🌳4-29-26 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 any longer, 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 ever... 04/29/2026

Happy Earth Day!Today’s a great reminder that the little things we do at home can make a big difference—whether it’s planting flowers, reducing waste, or simply taking pride in caring for your space and community.Thinking about making a move this year? Energy-efficient homes, smart upgrades, and sustainable features are becoming more valuable than ever.If you’re curious about homes that are good for both your wallet and the planet, I’d love to help.Message or call me anytime! 04/22/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday April 21, 20261. In what year did Neal Armstrong walk on the Moon? 19692. What year is considered the birth of the World Wide Web? 19893.  For what movie did Joe Pesci win an Academy Award? Goodfellas4. In what year did the Berlin Wall come down? 1989Trivia questions for Wednesday April 22, 20261. If a triangle has two equal side, it is a what?2. What psychotherapist smoked 20 cigars a day?3. What are baby bears called?4. What is 11 squared?Enjoy your day.  04/22/2026

Every year on April 22nd, and this year on Wednesday April 22, 2026 we celebrate and enjoy the unofficial National Earth Day.Earth Day started in 1970 after 3 million gallons of oil spilled off the coast of California the prior year.The purpose of the Earth Day to increase awareness of the impact people have on the environment from of all the people political and geographic backgrounds, which led to establish Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. I want to wish to all my friends and to all members at Active Rain community a Happy and Wonderful National Earth Day. 04/22/2026

Busy week in The Villages, we had company over the weekend and wanted to show them The Villages, so three squares, Sawgrass, and plenty of meals at country clubs and restaurants.  So much fun sharing this place with people who haven’t experienced this place!  Perfect weather for their visit helped as they checked temps in Chicagoland. Now to the top three for the week, two of the three were my five-part series what features homebuyers want.  Number three was “Energy Efficiency & Sustainability” which makes sense when looking at newer homes.  Number two from the series “Flexible Living Spaces” which many quickly agreed with.  The number one for the week which did surprise me “Pressure Washing Lanai Screen,” which since I finished it makes a difference with air flow and feeling the breeze... 04/22/2026

Wordless Wednesday…Ever-changingMonitoring the bluebird boxes has allowed us to experience Mother Nature’s twists, turns, and surprises in the animal and plant world. Our latest updates:Our previously most prolific bluebird boxes are slow this year.  One box has not had a nest… yet, and our best box out at Kickerillo had one brood, but none of the chicks lived long enough to fledge. The hardest bluebird box to reach (it’s down a small hill) had two eggs. This is the fewest number of eggs we’ve ever had in a box. We checked on Tuesday morning, and so far, we have one that has hatched.   This one is less than 24 hours old. No feathers and no way to regulate their body temperature, so Mama Bluebird sits on them during what is known as the brooding phase. The one box that has been a “slow p... 04/22/2026

Three weeks from today I will be on the plane to enjoy my retirement in Portugal.    SO, still so fun to see different areas of Portugal I have not seen yet, BUT WILL.To finish my immigration, it could take 3-4 months more after I get into the Country and get to the AIMA office with my attorney.   They keep my passport, so I won't be able to get on a plane anywhere, so will do some road trips around Portugal and see some of these stunning sights in person.This waterfall is located in the Northern Part - Peneda-Geres national park.This is a historical village of Sortelha, which is near the Spanish border a bit Northeast of Lisbon.Getting so close....  04/21/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday April 20, 20261. What is measured in Watts? Power2. Carrots are a good source of which vitamin? K3. Which "Die Hard" film also stars Samuel L Jackson? Die Hard with a Vengeance4. What does "in pace requiescat" translate into? Rest in PeaceTrivia questions for Tuesday April 21, 20261. In what year did Neal Armstrong walk on the Moon?2. What year is considered the birth of the World Wide Web?3.  For what movie did Joe Pesci win an Academy Award?4. In what year did the Berlin Wall come down?Enjoy your day.  04/21/2026

In North Dakota April Showers are more likely to bring icy streets then May Flowers. Of course they do aid in getting flowers ready to seed and by the end of May we might actually see flowers starting to poke out of the ground.Like Joe, I enjoy my daily morning shower. Last month I had to replace my shower head. Not to be influenced by trends I just replaced it with a simple $5.00 shower Head. I liked my old shower head as it was adjustable from stream to pulsating. The only hitch was that my old one was magnetically mounted and the new one requires a holster. I figured out a work-around and now all is good.If you have never replaced a show head you should know that it is super easy to do. No need to call a plumber! The only thing needed is a plyers. This is one of the very few things i... 04/21/2026