TAG!! Now I'm It!!

I've been tagged by that rascally ChaChaNeen. :o)) She snuck this on her post and by reading it, I was tagged. So be prepared to be bored to tears. Here goes:

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I don't think so. I'm adopted and could be named after the dog as far as I know.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Right after Sweetie's last shoulder surgery.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yep, I do.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Smoked turkey meat sliced for sandwiches.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? No

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Yeah.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? Not usually, but if the opportunity calls for it, I'm so there with a SA remark!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS. No, they went South (and I live in the South so that's dangerous ... ha ha) and had them removed in the 1980's.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? No freakin' way. And I don't jump out of perfectly good airplanes either ...

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Heart To Heart by Kashi

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Sometimes, but usually don't.

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG? Physically: I used to be very strong, alas, those days are over. Too many doctors know my name now. Emotionally: I have an iron will.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Blue Bunny Ice Cream No Sugar Added, in Vanilla or Bunny Tracks .... droooool ....

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Their character.

15. RED OR PINK? Red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? My grammer needs work.

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My mother. She died in 1966.

18. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU? Sure, if they have time.

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING? Grey New Balance sneakers.

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE? Turkey sandwich and pretzels for lunch.

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? XM Radio, channel 46. They're playing a song by "The Who".

22. IF YOU WHERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red

23. FAVORITE SMELLS? Sweetie cooking supper.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? A wrong number. She apologized and I wished her a pleasant Happy Thanksgiving.

25. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU? Totally! She's a fun blog friend too and very sweet. Just a little sneaky that's all .... [lol]

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? MotoGP or World Superbike.

27. HAIR COLOR? Blond ... out of a bottle now. [blush]

28. EYE COLOR? Hazel

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Eyeglasses, but I am going to go back to contacts soon.

30. FAVORITE FOOD? Cooked. I love just about everything!

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy ending

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? The Best Years Of Their Lives (black & white)

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? Orange T-Shirt

34. SUMMER OR WINTER? Winter

35. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs

36. FAVORITE DESSERT? (see Ice Cream above .... still drooling)

37. MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Whoever feels like it

38. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Anyone who doesn't have time.

39. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? By The Pricking Of Their Thumbs (Agatha Christie)

40. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? Buck deer with cross hairs on 'em ....

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? Family Guy, Simpsons, Seinfeld

42. FAVORITE SOUND. Silence

43. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? Well, it depends but I usually like the Rolling Stones.

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Hawai'i .

45. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? I can find people, dead or alive, and follow a paper trail like a blood hound. It's almost uncanny.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Ft. Lauderdale, Florida USA.

If you're reading this, you're invited to be tagged! Have fun and I look forward to reading your posts! Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

♥ ∞

Salvation Army Kettle Receives Diamond Ring

This is one of those "why can't this happen to me ...." moments. [sigh]

A volunteer ringing the bell at a Salvation Army kettle in the south-central town of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, got an unusual donation: a diamond ring. The ring was handed to August Memmi, who volunteered for the Salvation Army in Harrisburg during his lunch hour Tuesday.

The young man told Memmi that he'd bought the ring for his mother using money he'd earned mowing lawns, but she died this year and he wanted to put it to good use.

The ring's value was unclear Tuesday; the Salvation Army planned to have it appraised.

Nice gesture, but he really should get a girlfriend to help him with his disposable income. Or ... I could always help!! [lol] (Aren't I sweet??)

♥ ∞

A Thanksgiving Recipe From My Home

Before The Thanksgiving Meal

The one thing I do miss about this time of year, is traveling to western North Carolina and consuming mass quantities of my step mother's cooking. She was *the* best, bar none, in the kitchen. Myra could have been a gourmet cook easily. She tried to teach me her ways in the kitchen but too no avail. Poor dear went prematurily grey from it! I'm hopeless. But I managed to save some of her recipes after she passed away in January 2004.

Below is one of her receipes that was absolutely to die for ... not literally, of course. Sweetie fixes it nearly every year (good thing he can cook or I'd starve). I thought I would share it with my bloggy buddies since we'll all be knee deep in turkey leftovers after Thursday, searching for some way to 'dispose' of all that yummy turkey! This is one tasty way that we use up those tasty remainders.

Myra's Pie Pan Turkey
2 cups chopped turkey

1 1/2 cups diced onions

1 cup shredded Swiss cheese

4 1/2 ozs mushrooms

1/2 teaspoon salt

Topping:

1 1/2 cups skim milk

3/4 cup Bisquick

3 eggs

Combine topping ingredients first, let sit. Combine turkey, onions, cheese, mushrooms and seasonings in large baking dish. Pour topping over turkey mixture. Bake at 375 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until golden brown.

What we'll all look like after the meal!!
"Oh MY goodness, I am soooo stuffed!!"

Do you have any receipes for using leftover turkey or whatever? Share it here or at your blogs. I'm sure we'll be all ears!

Enjoy!
♥ ∞

Big Creek Trail, Laura S. Walker State Park

Since the desiccated disk in my neck is ailing again, Sweetie took me for a much needed walk at our local Laura S. Walker State Park near Waycross, Georgia. It's a lovely, quiet place. We strolled through the mature growth piney woods and made observations along the way.

The start of the trail is across a paved road just outside the camping area.

The trail is well marked.

Shady trails add to the adventure.

(I wish our driveway was this overgrown ... no mowing!

I'm really into 'natural' gardening these days.)

Anybody out there know what this is? Anybody? No?!

Ok, it's a 'cat faced' Long-leaf pine tree.

This tree was once tapped for turpentine.

Lions and tigers and bears ... oh MY!!

NOW they tell us!!?? Yipes!

Closed?? Close to what?

After that bear sign, I'm NOT leaving the trail!

Sawtoothed Palmetto are prevalent in our woods.

The little birdie's love palmetto bushes, especially the Towhee.

"The long and winding road ..." uh, trail.

There's one area that crosses the swamp.

It was very cool, dark and damp there.

Last leg of the journey.

The Bald Cypress is the only conifer in the US that is deciduous.

And, that's all there is. Journey is over.

I hope you enjoyed the walk as much as I did. I know I say it frequently, but this part of Georgia is so pretty and so very photogenic. It's especially nice when the bugs have disappeared for the rest of the year. [smile] There is something about 'communing' with nature that always makes me feel even closer to God the Father.

♥ ∞

♥ ∞

Butterfly Award

I received The Butterfly Award this week from Joann and Jack! This very nice couple live in Virginia. I am greatly honored that they think so much of me, especially considering that their blog is so much better than mine! This does inspire me to take better care at snapping photos and also the quality of what I post at my blog. I will try harder to be more inspirational and appealing.
So, to use a common vernacular, and with tongue firmly ensconced in cheek, here be da rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog. [Check]
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you. [Did that]
3. Nominate 10 other blogs for this award. [Oie, vey ... 10!? .. sigh]
4. Add links to those blogs. [I can do that]
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs. [I can do that too]
6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool. [Cripes! I have to write something about each entry! Holy Toledo! Brain ... don't fail me now!?]

My Nominees:


1. A Little Birdie Told Me So.
2. Bygone Beauty.
3. Carey's Corner.
4. Chachaneen.
5. Chicken Soup ...
6. Cpaphil Vintage Postcards.
7. Muse-Swings.
8. Nana's Living The Dream.
9. Tea Time With Melody.
10. Wiregrass Musings.

I will lump my writing into one review. I've reinjured my neck and am having severe neck/shoulder pains again [looks like another doctor's visit is called for ... and I thought I was done with that for awhile ...]. Therefore, I am having a difficult time focusing in on my thoughts and sitting in my office chair. I apologize for taking poetic license.

With no further ado, I would like to say this about all my nominees:

First, Wiregrass Musings is my husband and is therefore not included in what is written below because, of course, I do know him personally. I know he's a good person. I hope it doesn't bend the rules to award him too. His blog is always so well written. He is a great guy and a terrific writer. Hubby is new to Bloggy Land.

Anyway, the remainder of my nominees are all blogs I read daily because they're informative, well written and they make me feel good about life in general. These are good people that I feel are not just good in this artificial cyber world. I think I know them all by their character [some are more character than others .... smile]. They're the type that if you knew them in 'real' life, there would be an instant rapport. They're the type that would stop and help you on the side of the road if it appeared that you were in distress. That to me, speaks volumes about a person's character. Actions do speak louder than words.

So, congrats everyone! Have fun with the new award. Keep Blogging!

♥ ∞

WebStar West Clipart

I have a real weakness for pretty, creative clipart to add to my blog or web site. As my husband would say, I have to 'trash it up' and make it glitter. [lol]

This evening I found a nice web site title WebStar West that offers Blossoms, Butterflies, Fairies, Fish, Florida, Frames, Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, Birds, Lancaster, Flower Arrangements, Backgrounds.

Thought you might want to check this out for yourselves. Do y'all have any web sites that you frequent for such inspiration or to enhance a blog / web site? Please share. I'm always on the hunt for the 'perfect' graphic (especially if it's FREE). Or do you create your own? I can create simple graphics but nothing elaborate or animated.

Have fun!

♥ ∞

A Tribute To A Friend - John W. Bond

John Willard "Johnny" Bond, Sr.

(15 Jul 1932 - 18 November 2008)

Jacksonville, Florida

My husband lost a friend and the world lost a very good person yesterday. He and Johnny were long time co-workers at BellSouth (formerly known as Southern Bell). Johnny was a kind-hearted and generous man. He will be missed greatly by all that were priviledged to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.

Even though Johnny did not die suddenly, his demise was very quick. He was diagnosed with a form of melanoma (skin cancer) about a month ago, I think. He was placed in Hospice and now he's gone. All these phone men work outside most all their lives. IF any of you are outside a great deal, please cover up as much as possible and also point out any changes one notices on one's skin to a medical professional. You just never know when this cancer will strike.

Johnny believed in Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour, so that even though we say Good Bye in this life, we know we'll meet each other again in the next.

OBITUARY

The Florida Times-Union

Jacksonville, Florida

BOND > John W. Bond, Sr., went to be with The Lord on November 18, 2008.

John was born in Hagerstown, IN and came to Jacksonville, FL, serving his country in the U.S. Navy. He was assigned to the Fighter Squadron-171, NAS Jacksonville. He served form March 1951 through March 1955. John retired from Southern Bell in November 1987 with 32 years of service. He worked his way up through the ranks of repairman to Maintenance Supervisor to Quality Control supervisor on staff. He was a charter member of The Fellowship at Celebration Baptist Church. He loved God, his family, his church, and all people, young and old. They loved him in return. He will be deeply missed.

John leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife of 28 beautiful years, Lila; daughter, Lynn Strickland (Hank) of Tampa, FL; sons, John Bond, Jr. (Pam) of Jacksonville, FL, Frank Bond (Liz) of Dallas, TX; and daughter Deeann Spears (Wayne) of Jacksonville, FL, their mother Dee Dee Royal; grandchildren, Mindee, Sara, and Harrison Strickland, Haley Bond, Kyle and Jeffrey Bond, Andee Spears; brothers, Phil Bond and Gayle Bond, both of Hagerstown, IN; sister, Debbie Taylor of Hendersonville, NC; nieces, Stefan Taylor, Cristella Bond, Jennifer Muschell, Debora Flemming, Kathy Flemming Carver; nephews, Jon Bond, Jeff Bond, Andy Bond, Kent Flemming, Eddie Gales; great niece, Karmon Bond; great nephews, Luke and Max Bond; and many supportive friends.

Family will receive friends TONIGHT, November 20, 2008 from 6-8:00 PM at Arlington Park Funeral Home, 6920 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, Florida. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 1:00 PM at The Fellowship @ Celebration Baptist Church, 13720 McCormick Road, Jacksonville, Florida. Interment will follow at Arlington Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to The Fellowship @ Celebration Baptist Church, Children's Building Fund in his memory. Please Sign the Guestbook @ http://www.jacksonville.com/

Leave a virtual flower at the FindAGrave Memorial: John W. BOND, Sr.

The Final Flight

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,

I'm following the path God laid for me.

I took his hand when I heard his call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work, to play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I've found that peace at the end of the day.

If my parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,

Ah, yes, these things too I will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My Life's been full, I savoured much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.

Lift up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now, He set me free.

Author: Unknown

God bless,

♥ ∞