Monday, October 6, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday #23

Ye Olde Firetruck


Which is still in use when needed.

Sonny Boy and Handsome Lad are her, so I will be visiting with them instead of commenting. I hope y'all understand. Have a wonderful week!

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old
and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 


1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.
2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.
3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

Saturday, October 4, 2014

It's a Sheep Critter



I feel much better after my rant yesterday! Thanks for listening. I'm not grumbling today. Well maybe just a little grumble since I'm not a big fan of housework. I will be dancing with Mrs. Mop most of the day today, in preparation for the arrival of Sonny Boy and Handsome Lad. They will be here tomorrow.  Yay!

Happy Saturday!!!

Linking to Saturday's Critters

Friday, October 3, 2014

Willy Nilly Five

A little Willy Nilly Five this morning. Or this could be titled Willy Nilly Five Grumbles!

1. I'm wondering why bloggers don't hide their blogs where they no longer post.  Unless I'm a regular visitor, I have trouble figuring out which blog is active and which has been abandoned. Something to think about.

2. I am about ready to call our cable provider and cancel service. The internet is still stuttering and my telephone service...well may as well not have it. When someone calls, I can hear them, but they can't hear me. I called earlier in the week to complain, yet again, and I was informed a tech couldn't come out until next Friday. Not this Friday, NEXT Friday. And I just saw a commercial talking about their wonderful service. I'm thinking it is false advertising. Either they have no employees or they have a whole lot of problems, like mine.

3. The maintenance man ran his lawnmower into the front corner of my car, which means I had to make a claim against my employer for damages. Never a good thing in my opinion, but it was too ugly to let go. Note the grass spewed everywhere. This has been the way of it for the past several weeks. I guess I should have complained before he got this close.



4. Winter is just around the corner. The low tonight will be in the 30s. Must bring my plants inside. And they looked so nice on the front porch all summer. Grumble, grumble, grumble!




5. Okay, so I'll end my post on an up note. Cox's Body Shop did an awesome job repairing my car. They told me when it would be ready and it actually was! Now how many times does that happen? It was also sparkly clean. Now that's great customer service. I will be recommending them any chance I get.

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Red, Squirrel, and a Fence

We don't have many gorgeous fall colors around here. Most trees go from green to a dingy yellow color and then to brown. 



But occasionally there is a touch of red, which is my favorite fall color. I don't think this is a tree, more like some vine but I didn't jump over the fence to find out.


There's a squirrel in front of this fence. He was running away from me, but stopped to scratch an itch.



Sunset over the corn. Add a fence and it's a fine rural scene.

Linking to Good Fences

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

A Wren and a Hodge Podge



Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday


And now on to some Hodge Podge

1. Are the leaves turning color where you live? Have they begun to fall? Will you have to rake when it's all said and done? Is that a chore you love or loathe?

The leaves are starting to fall here, but I love the red leaves and we don't have very many of those around here. I have a tree in the back that is the last to get leaves in the spring, but first to lose them. It is half empty now. We don't rake leaves. Hubs bags them with the mower. Lots easier for us old folks.

2. When did you last shake like a leaf?


A few months ago when a drunk tried to shoulder his way into our house. My teeth were chattering and I was shaking like a leaf. He was fined and put on 12 months probation, plus he had to pay restitution for the damage to our doors. It doesn't feel like enough to make up for the scare, but I guess it isn't a hanging offense.

3. After 20 seasons with the NY Yankees, Derek Jeter played his last official game Sunday afternoon. Jeter has been described even by opponents as a 'class act', both on and off the field. The NFL is back in action this month too, with several players in that sport also making headlines. What are your thoughts on athletes as role models? Should a professional athlete be expected to act as role model or is that going beyond their job description? What responsibility do the organizations these athletes work for have when it comes to dealing with off the field behavior? Discuss.


I'm always hearing celebrities say they are not role models, but it is my opinion they are whether they like it or not. Especially in sports. Young people look up to athletes and want to be like them. They follow their every move and action. So, yes, they should act like a role model whether they like it or not. They should be held to a higher standard—famous not infamous.

4. What season of the year is toughest for you in terms of your health? Why?


Summer. I like to walk to work for the exercise, but in the summer I get too hot and sweaty. Right now is perfect walking weather.

5. The top six healthy food trends of 2014 according to Eating Well are-

clean eating (more veg, less meat, less sodium, limit alcohol and processed foods)
trash fish (you know those fish that get caught in fishermen nets and are thrown back? It seems chefs are finding creative ways to make them more appetizing)
cauliflower (this year's IT vegetable)
kaniwa (essentially baby quinoa, so like quinoa only smaller)
fermentation (think pickling except with twists on flavor we're not accustomed to)
community supported food (farms operating with community support/membership). 

Okay-so how many of the hot healthy food trends for 2014 have you experienced, encountered, enjoyed? Any you've tried and said ewwww? Any on the list you'd liketo try before year's end?


I'm not a seafood lover. I like shrimp, but that's about it so I'll pass on the trash fish. Love cauliflower and have been experimenting with making it in other ways other than steaming. Not sure what kaniwa is, but doubt our local small town USA grocer does either. We have lots of pickles JD has canned himself. Bread and butter is my favorite. We try to practice clean eating, but sometimes get sidetracked. 

6. In seven words or less, bid September adieu.


Goodbye. I will miss your great weather.

7. What's something on your October calendar that makes you happy just thinking about it?


Sonny Boy and Handsome Lad are coming for a visit during Handsome Lad's fall break, so you won't see me on here much that week! 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


Last Friday night the oldest Punk had her first date for Homecoming. She didn't wait for him to ask her, she asked him with a piece of candy wrapped up in a note and tucked in his clarinet case. The note said something about how it would be sweet if he would be her homecoming date. He tucked an acceptance note in her clarinet case. I don't know what it said. I wish I could post their picture, but sadly Punky Doodle won't allow it, but I can post a picture of her wrist corsage.


Missy Punk is the one in the periwinkle dress. She looked beautiful. I can't believe she is a young lady already. I still think of her as this...


....little girl helping her grandma make cupcakes.

Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Monday, September 29, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday #22

Fairview Drive-In first opened in 1953. In 1992 the screen was demolished by a wndstorm, but it was rescreened and remodeled in 2002 and remains open. 


It is open April through September. Speakers hanging from the windows are a thing of the past. The sound comes through car radios. This is the sign where the movie titles would be displayed if it were still open. It is now closed for the season.


This is the view from the highway.


This is the view from a side road. Wouldn't want to trespass.


And this is where all that wonderful popcorn is popped and served. The concession stand. 

Posting a barn over on Stuff and Nonsense, my other blog, for Amy's Barn Link-up.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old
and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 


1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.
2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.
3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

Sunday, September 28, 2014

the Bird D'pot

Red Tailed-hawk

 Flying high up in the sky. I'm always on the lookout for hawks while driving the back roads. Last weekend, I found this one. He would fly and land on an electric pole, but when I got close, he would take off again. This is the best I could do. 



And then there was this one....


During a Friday very late evening ramble, I saw this red tailed-hawk flying overhead. I stopped, but he saw me and took off down a dirt road, landing on this electric pole. Of course the sun was setting in the western sky so all I could get was a silhouette. As I got closer he took off across a field where only a 4 wheeler could go. 


Linking to the Bird D'pot


The Camera Club assignment for October is Odd/Quirky. Guess whose idea that was? Yep, mine! 



So I found this oddity back in the spring. I went back a couple weeks ago and took another shot. Which is your preference? The one from spring or summer?





Happy Sunday!

Friday, September 26, 2014

Happy Friday!

Fergus



This is the first thing I see when I get home from work.

Happy Friday!

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Phyllis D. Cow

Phyllis D. Cow is a resident of Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site



This is Punky Doodle trying to coax Ms. Cow out of her house. 



As we moved on, Ms. Cow came out and followed us along the fence...



...to this section of fence. Where she stopped and started shaking her head up and down in a scary kind of way. We thought perhaps she was telling us she needed milked. 

A couple of days later, she posted a pic of her new baby. You can see the sweet babe HERE.

This coming weekend is the Fall Frolic. I think I might try to stop in and visit her new babe. Wonder what kind of gift one gives a calf?


Linking to Good Fences

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Fall



The sunflowers are no longer yellow, but the birds still like them. This male goldfinch is no longer a bright pretty yellow. Sure sign of fall.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday



Now on to some Hodge Podge...

1. It's fall. Y'all. My favorite season of the year! What's something you love to do this time of year that makes you feel it's officially fall? And unrelated to that, do you ever say-'y'all'?

I remember having weiner roasts in the fall. Dad would build a fire and cut sticks to hang the hot dogs and marshmallows on. When we first moved south, we used to use Y'all just for fun. Needless to say, it wasn't long until it was used daily. You Guys was no more.

2. When did you last have a falling out with someone? Has it been resolved?


I haven't had a falling out with anyone that I can think of, but someone seems to have had a falling out with me. I only live 1/2 mile from work, so I often walk. Once an older cousin of mine stopped by the house and since my car was home decided I was not answering the door for them. I tried to explain, but I don't think they believe me.

3. A song you love with the word 'fall' in it's title?


A Summer Song by Chad and Jeremy


This song makes me sad. Reminds me of the guy I was madly in love with in high school. Do we ever forget that first fella?



4. What's something you've recently let 'fall by the wayside?'


My mind...can't think of anything.

5. When did you last attend an event, read a book, watch a movie, try a new recipe, or visit a shop-town-tourist attraction that fell short of your expectations? In what way?


I tried reading And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini but couldn't make myself continue after 3 chapters. Everyone else seems to like it, but I just couldn't get interested.

6. Describe a time you said or thought, 'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Recently. Last weekend I was dancing with Mrs. Mop (cleaning) and started singing a tune. Fergus looked at me and took off like a bear was after him. I went to see what was wrong with him and found him cowering in his crate. I posted this on Facebook and my daughter's response..."Now I know where I get my singing voice." To which my sister-in-law responded, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree." 

7. Was today better than yesterday? Why or why not?

Since it is early, I'm hoping the answer is yes. Lots of work yesterday. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


A Jury trial starts today, so probably won't be able to comment much. I hate it when I can't get around to return comments, but sometimes I just can't. :(


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge

Monday, September 22, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday #21

The weather was gorgeous, too nice to stay inside, so I grabbed the keys and took off on a ramble through the back roads. Hints of fall colors are popping up all over.


A bit of red brightens this old, abandoned garage.


Goldenrod and weeds, a sure sign of fall, surround this wood duck house

The soybeans are turning a beautiful shade of yellow.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old
and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.
2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.
3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Friday, September 19, 2014

Reflections and a little Willy Nilly




Summer is fading fast so thought I would try to revive it with this reflection. We were driving down an old cow-path type of road and came upon a ford. The water was pretty high but JD stopped anyway so I could get this pic.


Linking to Weekend Reflections

On to some Willy Nilly...

1. Those of you who are and have been city dwellers all your life may only think of a ford as a car, as in Ford Mustang.  But here in middle-of-nowhere, a ford is also a road that crosses a creek but has no bridge. There is usually a layer of concrete or rock which has been added so cars/trucks won't get stuck in the mud. 

dictionary.com definition of ford.

noun - a place where a river or other body of water is shallow enough to be   crossed.

verb - to cross (a river, stream, etc.) at a ford.

2. Speaking of fords made me think of another ford which wasn't far from where I grew up. When I was a freshman I accepted a "Would you sit by me at the movies?" kind of date. He was a nice guy, but not for me. So we remained friends and classmates throughout high school. A year or so after high school, he was taking a girl home from a date and went down a road with a ford. Sadly, it had been raining buckets and the water was very high and the current strong. The car was washed down the creek. They got out of the car and the guy tried to get to the shore by the shortest route, but he couldn't swim and the water was too strong for him. Had he taken the longer route to dry land, he could have waded out. If only...

3. On the up side, it is Friday and JD has the day off. I'm hoping for a Friday night date.

4. Sonny Boy and Handsome Lad are coming for a visit in early October! Yay!

5. Camera Club was Wednesday night. My pic tied for 1st place.  Here's a little reminder of my contribution for "motion". 

Linking to Nilly Friday Five

Happy Friday! 

Thursday, September 18, 2014

A Fence, a Tongue, and a Ride

Still posting pics from Punky Doodle and the Punks visit last Sunday. I've posted lots of fences from Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site before, so these fences will be no surprise to anyone who visits. 



I liked the yellow field of goldenrod in the background. 


The online camera club has given the next assignment—shadows. So, of course, I'm looking for shadows everywhere. This isn't good enough to submit, but again, liked the fence and gate.


The littlest Punk is about as busy as Fergus, so they get along fine. Mom Punk and the rest of the Punks went inside the gift shop while I waited outside with Fergus. I think the little Punk wore him out. He sat quietly with that uncontrollable tongue hanging out of his mouth, waiting patiently for his friend to return.


After a while, the patience was wearing thing. Here he is focused on the door.


Here is what #3 Punk came out with for his souvenier. A tiny covered wagon.


Linking to Good Fences

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Wild Hodge Podge



I'm not sure these ducks and chickens would be considered wild since they are domesticated critters. But in my opinion they are wild since they won't let you catch them.

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday



1. I'm celebrating a birthday this week so a question relating to aging feels appropriate. Douglas MacArthur is quoted as saying, 'You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubt; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fear; as young as your hope, as old as your despair." Would you agree? If not why not?

I agree. In order to stay young one must have a positive outlook. We all need something to look forward to. Without a dream, no matter how large or small, what is there? 

2. What remarkable feat, interesting piece of trivia, or historical event occurred on your birth day and month? Not necessarily in your birthyear, just the same date/same month.


May 6, 1961 - George Clooney was born. 'nough said! 

3. Describe a time or circumstance where you wanted to 'have your cake and eat it too.'


The mind is blank!

4. What's something you do that makes you feel young? Something that makes you feel old?


Young - dancing. Old - taking a nap.

5. When did you last do something that was 'a piece of cake'?


Hooked up my new printer. It was surprisingly easy.

6.  Beef, wine, and cheese all improve with age. What's something else you'd add to that list? (not necessarily food or beverage) 


Knowledge. I always say if I could be 16 again I would, but only if I could remember what I know now.

7. If I were to have a giveaway when we hit Volume 200, what should I give away? By my calculations we'll hit Volume 200 on November 26th, the day before Thanksgiving, which means whoever wins would have whatever it is in time for Christmas.  


One of your pictures—framed.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.


I'm glad to see Wednesday. Should be a catch up day for me at work. Plus Camera Club is tonight. If anyone wants to join a camera club, but doesn't have one close to you, we have contests on our Facebook page. CumberlandCounty CameraClub the next assignment is 'shadows'. There are no prizes, so you won't get rich, but it is fun.


Linking to Wednesday Hodgepodge







Monday, September 15, 2014

Rubbish Tuesday #20

It's Rubbish time! On a more depressing note, it's also Monday! Work has been light the past two weeks, but the Judge is back in town. Work. Work. Work! Happy Monday!


This odd shaped buildilng was once a lumber yard. Back in the day it was a booming business. Now there is only this long building that once housed boards of all sizes. Seems a farmer found a good use for it, so it remains useful. The rest of the buildings have long since been demolished.


Punky Doodle and 3 of  the Punks stopped by for a short visit yesterday.They were on their way back from seeing the Doodler, Punky's father, who lives in Southern Illinois. We decided to take a walk around Lincoln Log Cabin Historical Site to take advantage of this wonderful fall weather we are having. I  happened upon this old barrell and a rusty bucket. Of course I thought of Rubbish Tuesday and snapped a shot.


Couldn't resist a picture of this old covered wagon. The kids all gathered around and actually allowed me to take some shots of them with the wagon in the background. I didn't even have to ask. Shocking.

We also stopped by to see Thomas Lincoln's and Sarah Busch Lincoln's grave. This is Thomas's stone.

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you will join in the fun.

My idea was to have a place to post 'old things'. Anything old
and/or deteriorating such as, but not limited to, old houses, barns, outbuildings, old cars, rusty things, antiques, interesting junk, or it can be something in pristine condition, but just old. 

1. Link to a post featuring photos of something old.
2. Link back to Rubbish by Roan in your post.
3. As time allows, visit other participants and comment on their posts.



Sunday, September 14, 2014

the bird d'pot

We went down to the garden last evening to pick the last of the tomatoes. The garden is finished with the exception of the gourds. 


The sunflowers are all looking down.


There were lots of goldfinches enjoying the crop. 


The males are molting. Fall is here, or will be in another 8 days. 


Linking to the Bird D'pot

Saturday, September 13, 2014

A Squeezable Willy Nilly - Late

So, instead of spending my Saturday morning on the computer, I planned to clean out the laundry/mud room, which is a horrid mess and will only get worse with the onset of winter. Guess where I am? Yep, sitting at the computer. I missed posting for Willy Nilly yesterday, but 'they' say, "Better late than never." Right? This week we are to post 5 things we should or shouldn't squeeze. So  here are my five:

1. The first thing that comes to mind is—Zits! Ugh! Never squeeze them. Gross! I was traumatized in high school by someone, who will remain annonymous, squeezing a zit in study hall!

2. Grandkids! Love grabbing them up and squeezing them tight. Now that they are getting older, they will probably start running away when they see me coming.

3. I squeeze tomatoes and fruits to see if they are ripe enough to suit me. JD is quick to chastise. Something about bruising. Then how will I really know they are ripe?

4. There is the toothpaste tube. I squeeze it until I'm sure I've gotten every possible bit on my toothbrush. A legacy from my father who lived through the great depression and was always frugal.

5. When target shooting, one must squeeze the trigger. I'm learning to shoot JD's handgun. I'm not a big fan of guns, but after our uninvited guest a few weeks ago, I decided learning would be a good thing.

Linking to Willy Nilly Friday Five

Now may as well post a critter. Video of Fergus seeing snow for the first time.
Guess we better be prepared. The weatherman is predicting a bad winter!

Linking to Saturday's Critters