Late Night Humor or Something Like It

Okay, what can I say??? It's freezing cold and snowing, I'm typing to stay warm and a friend sent these to me, and felt I should take the time to enlighten you.

The "How About" for Today is This Job!

Position: Surveyor Salary: $200 per hour (tax-free) Qualification: Must be fast on your feet!

It must be comforting to have a partner near by to catch all of this on film -- or save your butt, maybe??

Message from the Auto Industry

Guess this about says it all.
Happy Saturday to one and all, and to all an empty pocketbook!
Or at least that would seem to be the message from the Auto Industry.
As for me, I just wish you a great weekend!

Creature in the Clouds

The weather prediction for this weekend is pretty dire -- actually started yesterday with lots of wind and rain, dark skies and a prediction of snow for the remainder of the weekend. But over the years I've come to take the weather predictions -- good or bad, with a grain of salt. However, as I was putting this post together late yesterday, the dire predictions seemed to be right on and it is truly miserable out. Still, after looking at The Cunning Runts photos and read what he had to say about his day, decided to quit whining and began looking for something nicer to focus on -- this strange creature that seemed to be riding the clouds as I took these photos a week or so ago. So, I hope each of you have a lovely weekend as we begin the countdown to the holidays. Enjoy!

Wicked Humor for the Weekend

I have to admit that I can only be proper and nice for so long and then that wicked streak pops up and with all the junky news that just keeps rolling off the wires these days getting wicked seems easier by the hour. See for yourself!

Have a great weekend -- we're having snow and wind and freezing temps!

A Surprise! A New Award

This morning I received a new award from Bobbie, of Almost There. It,s the Superior Scribbler Award as you can see. I'm surprised and feel very honored, primarily because I'm still so new to blogging, and I do appreciate it.

As with most awards, it comes with rules, which are:

1. Name five other Superior Scribblers to receive this award.

2. Link to the author and name of the blog that gave you the award.

3. Display the award on your blog with this LINK which explains the award.

4. Click on the award at the bottom of the link and add your name to the bottom of the list.

5. Post the rules.

I won't make a habit of this although I think everyone appreciates being recognized, there are many who would prefer not to participate for whatever reason and I do respect that. Besides, there are so many wonderful blogs out there in cyberspace that it is hard to choose who to award for their work, their writing and artistic talent. There is surely no obligation attached to it. Recepients may choose not to pass it on further, just please acknowledge it so that I know you received it. That being said, I would like to pass it to:

June, who writes 70 Plus and Still Kicking who has more than one wonderful blog. She has become such a good friend and has encouraged me in my own writing through her own writing blog, Journeys in Creative Writing.

Citizen K, who has a wonderful, interesting and informative blog, Killian Said. He also moved to the Seattle area from Texas, and has a great perspective on many topics.

Lilly, who has a wonderful, entertaining, informative and fun blog, Lilly's Life. I always look forward to her posts.

And there is Ugich, whose blog, Gappa, has the most wonderful, beautiful stories about India. She is such an inspiration!

Last, but by no means least, is my good friend, Linda, whose blog Texas to Oregon, keeps us up to date on all the latest politics, spiced up with all kinds of interesting tidbits to make you smile, to give you a new perspective on so many things.

And that's my five. Like Bobbie, one of the reasons I dislike passing on awards is there are so many more that deserve recognition.

Thank you again, Bobbie, I hope that you do know what a faithful follower I am.

How About Snow in New Orleans?

A friend of mine in Dallas sent me these unusual shots of snow in New Orleans!

Things That Feel Good

They don't have to be big things or particularly important things except in the warm feelings they bring. It never hurts to be reminded of them, regardless of what age we are.

Falling in love
Laughing so hard your face hurts
A hot shower
No lines at the supermarket
A special glance
Getting mail
Taking a drive on a pretty road
Hearing your favorite song on the radio
Lying in bed listening to the rain outside
Hot towels fresh out of the dryer
Chocolate milkshake – or vanilla or strawberry
A bubble bath
Giggling
A good conversation
The beach
Finding a 20 dollar bill in your coat from last winter
Laughing at yourself
Midnight phone calls that last for hours
Running through sprinklers
Laughing for absolutely no reason at all
Having someone tell you that you’re beautiful/handsome
Laughing at an inside joke
Friends
Accidentally overhearing someone say something nice about you
Waking up and realizing you still have a few hours left to sleep
Your first kiss (either the very first or with a new partner)
Making new friends or spending time with old ones
Playing with a new puppy
Having someone play with your hair
Sweet dreams
Hot chocolate
Road trips with friends
Swinging on swings
Making eye contact with a lovely/handsome stranger
Making chocolate chip cookies
Having your friends send you homemade cookies
Holding hands with someone you care about
Running into an old friend and realizing that some things (good or bad) never change
Watching the expression on someone’s face as they open a much desired present from you
Watching a sunrise/sunset
Getting out of bed every morning and being grateful for another beautiful day
Knowing that somebody misses you
Getting a hug from someone you care deeply about
Knowing you’ve done the right thing, no matter what other people think

Sky Watch #21

Go to the Sky Watch site and share your beautiful skies!

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These were shown on a local Seattle TV station, KOMO, and a friend called my attention to them, knowing I'd want to share these.

They are so spectacular and a number of people got great shots and sent them in to share, so I'm passing them on to all of you.

Those are called "lenticular clouds". They're caused when the air flow is just right so when it flows over Mt. Rainier, the air gets pushed upward where it cools and condenses into clouds. Depending on how smooth the
flow is, you can get some amazing clouds formations as we've seen so far today.

It's usually a sign of rain within 24 hours because typically the moist flow that precedes a storm around here is the perfect set up for these clouds.

How To Stay Young

1. Throw out the non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Do keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER!

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourself. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.

If it is unstable, improve it.

If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips.

Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the

guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.

And just in case you've forgotten the "things that feel good" I'll be posting a list of those as reminders a little later for the new year.

100 Things

I found this on Work of the Poet blog and was curious to see how many things I had done. Surprised even me! Fun for a cold, rainy evening!

To participate, just copy and paste the list in your own blog, and color all of the things YOU have done (mine are in green, but you can use any color you want). Things you haven't done will be in black.

Have fun and if you have your own blog you might want to post your results there for the rest of us to see.I HAVE...

1. Started my own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightning at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain (shower)
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (but I've certainly eaten them! )
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper (not a picture of myself but my house has been in the paper!)
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby (how about four)
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Ridden an elephant

Follow-up Info Regarding Rebecca Roth

In October I posted the story of Rebecca Roth who was imprisoned in Mexico because of the man she worked for. Here is a follow-up to that story. It's hard to think of a family member being imprisoned over yet one more holiday rather than being with family and friends.

More Christmas Fun -- Well, For Us Gals!

REMEMBER THIS AT CHRISTMAS TIME...

According to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, while both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year, male reindeer drop their antlers at the beginning of winter, usually late November to mid-December. Female reindeer retain their antlers till after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to EVERY historical rendition depicting Santa's reindeer, EVERY single one of them, from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

We should've known...

ONLY women would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost.

Hope this helps to brighten your day and get you in the holiday spirit!!

Some Fun Stuff and Some Christmas Joy

As a former teacher -- as I know many of you are, I thought you'd get a laugh out of this.

..Ya gotta love kids!!

And for a lovely way to jump start your holiday, enjoy this video. It's not long, but says it all.

I Wonder Why??

The wife has been on my case to get the Christmas lights up for
a couple of weeks now. They are up now and for some reason she
will not talk to me.

This is why I don't bring up the subject of Christmas decorations with my son! He's given me a lovely home -- I'm not pushing my luck.

A Thought for the Day

Two friends were walking through the desert. During the journey, they had an argument, and one friend slapped the other one in the face.

The one who got slapped was hurt, but without saying anything, wrote in the sand:

"Today my best friend slapped me in the face."

The kept on walking, until the found an oasis, where they decided to take a bath.

The one who had been slapped got stuck in the mire and started drowning, but the friend saved him.

After he recovered from the near drowning, he wrote on a stone:

"Today my best friend saved my life."

The friend who had slapped and saved his best friend asked him, "After I hurt you, you wrote in the sand and now, you write on a stone. Why?"

The friend replied: "when someone hurts us we should write in down in sand, where winds of forgiveness can erase it away. But, when someone does something good for us, we muct engrave it in stone where no wind can ever erase it."

Learn to write your hurts in the sand and to carve your benefits in stone.

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them.

A Christmas Story for People Having a Bad Day

When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.

Then Mrs Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.

When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.

Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.

Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum. When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.

Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.

The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'

And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.

Ruby Tuesday

A beautiful Ruby Tuesday to all!

I thought these "ruby" red dahlias would pair up well with My World tour of the Dahlia Festival in Canby, Oregon.

Enjoy!

My World #7

One of the really lovely places to visit in Oregon is the Canby Dahlia Festival. Acres of gorgeous Dahlias, all different kinds, sizes, colors. It's breathtaking! Here are just a few examples. Hope you enjoy! Guess you can tell I'm already tired of cold weather!

Beautiful skies and clouds enhance the colorful fields.

Join us and show your world!

Just When You Thought We'd Seen it All

Ah, those Japanese guys are so clever! Now you'll never have to sleep "alone" again!

Take Your Breath Away!

A good friend of mine found these and sent them to me knowing how much I enjoy sharing beautiful things with my blogging friends and these are incredible! This is an albino ostrich! Talk about unreal beauty!

A Little Announcement

I have gotten totally carried away with all the blogging and photography and now this. Have gotten some nudging from June of 70 Plus and Still Kicking, so today I created a new blog where I have posted the first three chapters of a novel I wrote a couple of years ago. I decided I'd better do something -- when I had all the computer problems a while back I lost all my other manuscripts -- four in all. Try as I have, I haven't been able to retrieve them. So, before something happens and I loose my last one I decided to post it.

So, the address is http://chasingashes.blogspot.com/. Hope you'll drop by and give it a look.

Regarding Writing and Editing

Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading America, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as 'HILLBILLIES.
' You must now refer to them as APPALACHIAN- AMERICANS .

Furthermore, HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. She is not a 'BABE' or a 'CHICK' - She is a ' BREASTED AMERICAN.'

2. She is not 'EASY' - She is 'HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE.'

3. She is not a 'DUMB BLONDE' - She is a 'LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY. '

4. She has not 'BEEN AROUND' - She is a PREVIOUSLY ENJOYED COMPANION.'

5. She does not 'NAG' you - She becomes ' VERBALLY REPETITIVE.'

6. She is not a 'TWO-BIT HOOKER' - She is a ' LOW COST PROVIDER.'

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. He does not have a 'BEER GUT' - He has developed a 'LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY.'

2. He is not a 'BAD DANCER' - He is ' OVERLY CAUCASIAN.'

3. He does not 'GET LOST ALL THE TIME' -
He ' INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS. '

4. He is not 'BALDING' - He is in 'FOLLICLE REGRESSION.'

5. He does not act like a 'TOTAL ASS' – He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL
INVERSION.'

6 . It's not his 'CRACK' you see hanging outof his pants - It's 'REAR CLEAVAGE.'

And that, my writing friends, is your lesson for the week!