But I'll Be Here On Hump Day, Promise

Since I've been back from my health-problem-hiatus, I've run across several posts by blog friends on the topic of blogging vs. time, the question of how to blog, read and comment on friends' blogs, and have enough time for everything else. I've been feeling that pinch myself. While I was laid up over the summer, I got so far behind on so many things, I feel like I'm running in deep mud, trying to catch up. With the holidays at hand, that's only going to get worse.

So from now through the end of the year, I'm cutting back my posting and visiting to once a week. I've decided to keep my post on Wednesdays, my usual hump day post because you seem to enjoy those and I like sharing the mid-week funnies.  I'll spread out my visiting so I get to see everyone at least once a week.

I may toss in an extra post here and there if there's something special going on, or a blog hop I've signed up for, but for the most part, I'll be here on Wednesdays. I really hope you'll continue to stop by.

Thanks.


Motivational Thought for Today:

No matter what your job is,  
  You should always try to make it as interesting as possible ...

A Little Theology, a Little History, a Few Laughs - Yup It's Hump Day

Happy Hump Day

I'm a little late today so let's jump right in.

First, a theology lesson.

Yeah, he'd know that one.

Here's one for our favorite seniors.

My neighbor was working in his yard when he was startled by a late model car that came crashing
through his hedge and ended up in his front lawn.

He rushed to help an elderly lady driver out of the car and sat her down on a lawn chair.

"You appear quite elderly to be driving," he said, concerned

"Well, yes, I am," she replied proudly. "I'll be 97 next month, and I am now old enough that I don't even need a driver's license anymore."

 

"You don't need a driver's license anymore?!?"

"That's right! The last time I went to my doctor, he examined me and asked if I had a driver's license.  I told him I did and handed it to him. He took scissors out of the drawer, cut the license into pieces, and threw them in the waste basket, saying, 'You won't need this anymore'.

So I thanked him and left!"

 

I think she was driving in front of me yesterday.

 

 

 

Do you know what a "Knocker Upper" is?

 

Well, before alarm clocks, there were "knocker uppers."
Mary Smith earned a sixpence a piece for shooting dried peas at sleeping workers windows in London.

 

And we all know what you were thinking. 

(Shame on you.)

 

 

This is a good one for writers.

 

A wife asks her husband, "Could you please go shopping for me and buy one carton of milk and if they have avocados, get six.

A short time later the husband comes back with six cartons of milk.

The wife asks him, "Why did you buy six cartons of milk?"

He replied, "They had avocados."

 

Okay, ready for your "aw"? 

 

This one's a little different but I think we need to remember that adorable isn't limited to dogs and cats.

Aren't these guys worth a good "aw"?

That's it.  Did we get there? Did you find something in today's post to get you over the mid-week hump and on the downhill slide to the weekend?

Great. My work here is done.

Thought for today:

Sometimes I just sit around and think how nice it is that wrinkles don't hurt.

But I Thought Everyone Knew That Word

My son was doing a little beta reading for me recently and got caught up on this line: 

One of the women sitting in a pew near the front moved into the aisle, genuflecting stiffly before walking toward them.

He didn't recognize the word "genuflecting" and said it pulled him out of the story. His comment surprised me. I thought that was a common word that most people would recognize. (I should mention that we are not Catholic.)

A few years ago I had a story with the line:

They were the Mutt and Jeff of homicide. 

A friend pointed out that the phrase "Mutt and Jeff", which meant one very tall and the other short (based on a once popular comic strip) was out of date and would be lost on most readers. 

This got me thinking about how easy it is for writers to use words or phrases they believe are commonplace but, in fact, would not be familiar to many of their readers. Some possibilities include professional jargon, slang, regional dialects, and "dated" references. Of course, context will provide meaning in some cases, but not all. Do unfamiliar words or phrases serve to expand our readers' vocabulary or create a hindrance to their enjoyment of the story? And where do we draw the line?

What are your thoughts as a reader or as a writer? 

Just wondering... Are you familiar with the word "genuflect"? Would you have recognized "Mutt and Jeff"?

I have to take a moment and wish a Happy Veteran's Day to all the men and women who so selflessly served (or are serving) our country, including including my husband, my dad, and my brother.  I'm very proud of you all. 

Also, I need to go back and do something I'd meant to do last Monday...  Blogging buddy Emilyann Girdner over at Anything Imagined gave me this lovely award.  Thank you, Emilyann.

The Sunshine Award

The award comes with ten questions, so here goes...

Fave number: 3
Fave non-alcoholic drink: Powerade Zero
Fave alcoholic drink: Mocha Kalua.. yum
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook, but only because Pinterest was not an option ;p
Passions: Relationships (with God, my hubby, family, friends and my cat), creativity (be it writing or visual art), watching good TV Shows and reading books.
Prefer giving or getting presents? I prefer giving, however, that’s typically limited by finances.
Fave city? Orlando
Fave TV Shows: Oh boy, this list is very long. Here goes: The Vampire Diaries (that’s right, I said it), Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, Grimm, Modern Family, South Park, and so far The Michael J. Fox show and Reign are pretty good. (Shows not airing still: Friends, Lost, Monk and Merlin (BBC). - See more at: http://anythingimagined.blogspot.com/#sthash.osDU7fnc.dpuf

Fave color:  Believe it or not, I don't have one. It changes with the seasons and with my mood.
Fave animal:  I'd better pick my dog Sophie.  She gets her feelings hurt very easily.
Fave number:  Four, after my four grandkids. 
Fave non-alcoholic drink:  Hot tea
Fave alcoholic drink:  I have a couple. I'll go with a frozen strawberry margarita.
Facebook or Twitter?  Has to be Facebook. I don't tweet. 
Passions:  My family.
Prefer giving or getting presents:  Definitely giving. I have everything I could want.
Fave city:  It's a tie. Boston because of my beloved Red Sox and New York for the theater.
Fave TV shows:  Castle, both NCIS's, Person of Interest, Elementary, and Blue Bloods. (And I miss Burn Notice.)

But I'm going to violate the award rules and decline to nominate ten new recipients because so many of my blog friends have said they'd rather not be nominated for awards. Instead I'll just say that having you come by and leave a comment brings me enough sunshine so please accept this award with my thanks.

Joke for Today:

Teacher:  If I gave you 2 cats and another 2 cats and another 2, how many will you have?

Johnny: Seven, sir.

Teacher: No, listen carefully . . . If I gave you 2 cats, and another 2 cats and another 2, how many will you have?

Johnny: Seven, sir.

Teacher: Let me put it to you differently . If I gave you 2 apples, and another 2 apples and another 2, how many would you have?

Johnny: Six.

Teacher: Good.  Now if I gave you 2 cats, and another 2 cats and another 2, how many would you have?

Johnny: Seven, sir.

Teacher: Why would you have six apple but seven cats?

Johnny: Because I've already got a cat.

Fave color: yellow (because it reminds me of sunshine)
Fave animal: my cat, Benny J

Fave number: 3
Fave non-alcoholic drink: Powerade Zero
Fave alcoholic drink: Mocha Kalua.. yum
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook, but only because Pinterest was not an option ;p
Passions: Relationships (with God, my hubby, family, friends and my cat), creativity (be it writing or visual art), watching good TV Shows and reading books.
Prefer giving or getting presents? I prefer giving, however, that’s typically limited by finances.
Fave city? Orlando
Fave TV Shows: Oh boy, this list is very long. Here goes: The Vampire Diaries (that’s right, I said it), Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, Grimm, Modern Family, South Park, and so far The Michael J. Fox show and Reign are pretty good. (Shows not airing still: Friends, Lost, Monk and Merlin (BBC).

- See more at: http://anythingimagined.blogspot.com/#sthash.osDU7fnc.dpuf

Fave color: yellow (because it reminds me of sunshine)
Fave animal: my cat, Benny J

Fave number: 3
Fave non-alcoholic drink: Powerade Zero
Fave alcoholic drink: Mocha Kalua.. yum
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook, but only because Pinterest was not an option ;p
Passions: Relationships (with God, my hubby, family, friends and my cat), creativity (be it writing or visual art), watching good TV Shows and reading books.
Prefer giving or getting presents? I prefer giving, however, that’s typically limited by finances.
Fave city? Orlando
Fave TV Shows: Oh boy, this list is very long. Here goes: The Vampire Diaries (that’s right, I said it), Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, Grimm, Modern Family, South Park, and so far The Michael J. Fox show and Reign are pretty good. (Shows not airing still: Friends, Lost, Monk and Merlin (BBC).

- See more at: http://anythingimagined.blogspot.com/#sthash.osDU7fnc.dpuf

Fave color: yellow (because it reminds me of sunshine)
Fave animal: my cat, Benny J

Fave number: 3
Fave non-alcoholic drink: Powerade Zero
Fave alcoholic drink: Mocha Kalua.. yum
Facebook or Twitter: Facebook, but only because Pinterest was not an option ;p
Passions: Relationships (with God, my hubby, family, friends and my cat), creativity (be it writing or visual art), watching good TV Shows and reading books.
Prefer giving or getting presents? I prefer giving, however, that’s typically limited by finances.
Fave city? Orlando
Fave TV Shows: Oh boy, this list is very long. Here goes: The Vampire Diaries (that’s right, I said it), Once Upon a Time, The Walking Dead, Grimm, Modern Family, South Park, and so far The Michael J. Fox show and Reign are pretty good. (Shows not airing still: Friends, Lost, Monk and Merlin (BBC).

- See more at: http://anythingimagined.blogspot.com/#sthash.osDU7fnc.dpuf

Happy Hump Day (What Happened to Monday?)

Happy Hump Day

Sorry about missing everyone on Monday.  I got tied up with family, life, and stuff like that. 

But here we are, back for another Hump Day post to get you over the mid-week hump and on your way to the weekend.

First, I just have to mention...

Hooray for the 2013 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox!!!

 Yeah - there was a lot of celebrating in my family.

Let's start out with another bit of wisdom...from the mouths of babes.

You know he's right.

Here's a little story to help us get ready for winter. 

On a bitterly cold winter morning a husband and wife  were listening to the radio during breakfast.  The announcer said, "We are going to have 8 to 10 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the even-numbered side of the street, so the Snow plows can get through."  So the good wife went out and moved her car.
 
A week later while they are eating breakfast again, the radio announcer said, "We are expecting 10 to 12 inches of snow today. You must park your car on the odd numbered side of the street, so the snow plows can get through."  The good wife went out and moved her car again.

The next week they are again having breakfast, when the radio announcer says, "We are expecting 12 to 14 inches of snow today. You must park...."

Then the electricity went out.

The good wife was very upset, and with a worried look on her face she said, "I don't know what to do.  Which side of the street do I need to park on so the snow plows can get through?"

With a long-suffering sigh and a gentle smile, the husband replied, "Honey, why don't you just leave the car in the garage this time."
 

  I didn't see it coming. Did you?

I just like this one.

I have the same feeling sometimes.

Hey, want to make people crazy - just for fun? Here are a couple ideas.

At lunch time, sit in your parked car with sunglasses on and point a hair dryer at passing cars.  See if they slow down. 

When you go out to eat, order a diet water. With a straight face, of course.

When leaving the zoo, run towards the parking lot, yelling "Run For Your Lives!  They're Loose!" 

Hee hee hee.

  Don't worry, I didn't forget your weekly "aw".

I thought this one was perfect, even without the words.

 

Did we make it? Are you over the hump and coasting to the weekend?

Wonderful. That's what I'm here for.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you here on Monday. Hopefully.

Smart arse answer for Today:

A lady was picking through the frozen chickens at a grocery store but she couldn't find one big enough for her family. 

She asked a passing assistant, "Do these Chickens get any bigger?"

The assistant replied, "I'm afraid not, they're dead."

Hump Day Funnies and Funny Seniors

Happy Hump Day

Someone commented last week that these hump day posts are just as good on Thursday or even Friday. I hope that's true because this one's going up pretty late on hump day.

I grabbed this picture for a friend of mine who just had her first son - a beautiful little boy.

Now to the other end of the age spectrum...

Do you know no one believes seniors?  Nope, everyone thinks they're senile.

Case in point:

An elderly couple was celebrating their sixtieth anniversary. The couple had married as childhood sweethearts and had moved back to their old neighborhood after they retired.. Holding hands, they walked back to their old school. It was not locked so they entered, and found the old desk they’d shared, where Andy had carved "I love you, Sally." 

On their way back home, a bag of money fell out of an armored car, practically landing at their feet. Sally quickly picked it up and, not sure what to do with it, they took it home. There, she counted the money - fifty thousand dollars!

Andy said, "We’ve got to give it back." 

Sally said, "Finders keepers." She put the money back in the bag and hid it in their attic. 

The next day, two police officers were canvassing the neighborhood looking for the money, and knocked on their door. "Pardon me, did either of you find a bag that fell out of an armored car yesterday?" 

Sally said, "No." 

Andy said, "She’s lying. She hid it up in the attic." 

Sally said, "Don’t believe him, he’s getting senile."

The agents turned to Andy and began to question him. "Tell us the story from the beginning." 

Andy said, "Well, when Sally and I were walking home from school yesterday ..."

 The first police officer turned to his partner and said, "That's it. We’re outta here."

I love that. And I've got enough gray hair to pull it off. 

Now if I could just find a bag of money.

This picture just made me laugh.  

In case the font is too small to read, the heading says:

"Understanding Women" is now available in paperback.

 

 So true.

Okay, one more joke. Staying with the battle of the sexes.

Earl and Bubba are quietly sitting in a boat fishing, chewing tobacco and drinking beer when suddenly Bubba says, "Think I'm gonna divorce the wife - she ain't spoke to me in over two months."

 Earl spits overboard, takes a long, slow sip of beer and says, "Better think it over..............women like that are hard to find."

  

And I wouldn't forget your "aw". Got a sure-fire one for you today.

Who could resist those eyes?

You know you said it.

Okay, that's it for today. Did we make it? 

Are you over the hump and coasting to the weekend? 

Great. My job here is done.

Have a fantastic weekend and I'll see you on Monday.

Happy Halloween.

Thought for the Day:

Age doesn't always bring wisdom.
Sometimes age comes alone.

Honor Flight for My Hero

There were a few events during my health-induced hiatus recently that I really wanted to share with you, so I'm going to do a few time-delayed posts.

In August, it was my privilege to arrange for my dad to go on a veterans Honor Flight.

Dad enlisted in the Army in 1943, when he was 18, to serve his country in World War II. He served in what was then the Army Air Corp, doing most of his tour on islands in the South Pacific, fighting the Japanese.

 It certainly wasn't where he wanted to spend three years of his life. Certainly not the first three years of his marriage. But the world was at war.   

Mom and Dad - 1943

 
For most of us, WWII is ancient history.  But it is the last war that threatened our very existence as a nation and it's most fitting that the generation who fought that war are called the "Greatest Generation".

If you're not familiar with the Honor Flight, it's a volunteer organization that honors America's veterans by transporting them to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.  Preference is given to World War II veterans because, sadly, we are losing these heroes at a rate of 640 a day.

Honor Flight not only transports our heroes, but at each stop the veterans are greeted by active duty military and volunteers who give them the heroes' welcome they deserve. 

The group leaving Dayton, already friends.

Best of all, when they return that evening, we get to give them the biggest welcome of all. Friends, family, color guards, military, and volunteers. Dad knew my husband and I would be there to pick him up but he didn't know about any of the others...especially my brother Frank who drove in from out of state to be there. Frank said he'll never forget the joy he felt seeing Mom and Dad waiting for him when he got home from Viet Nam and it was his turn. He and I made the sign and were holding it together when Dad saw us. The look on Dad's face was priceless.

Dad with some of the family at the airport.

The day after, before Dad headed home, we had a family cookout so he had a chance to tell us about the trip. Here he is with some of the family gathered around.

I am so grateful to Honor Flight for what they do. If you have a veteran in your family, especially from WWII or Korea, please arrange for him or her to go on an Honor Flight. Do it now. You'll be so glad you did.

Quote of the Day:

“Freedom is never free.” ~ Unknown

More Hump Day Funnies

Happy Hump Day!

And here we go with some funnies to get you over the mid-week hump.

First, though, a Public Service Announcement.

Good to know, do you think?

Now a few thoughts from an older mind...

I was thinking about how a status symbol of today is those cell phones that everyone has clipped onto their belt or purse.  I can't afford one. So, I'm wearing my garage door opener.

I also made a cover for my hearing aid and now I have what they call blue teeth, I think.

Employment application blanks always ask who is to be notified in case of an emergency.  I think you should write, 'A Good Doctor'!

I was thinking about how people seem to read the Bible a  whole lot more as they get older. Then, it dawned on me.  They were cramming for their finals.
As for me, I'm just hoping God grades on the curve.


A question to ponder.
 

Why do they?

Here's an interesting fact.

Did you ever wonder why there are no dead penguins on the ice in Antarctica? Where do they go?

Well, penguins are very ritualistic birds. They mate for life and have a strong sense of family and community. Their social structure is both complex and very well-ordered.  

When a member of the penguin community dies, the others will dig a hole in the ice, using their vestigial wings and beaks, until the hole is deep enough to receive the dead penguin.

Then the males of the group will gather in a circle around the grave and sing,

"Freeze a jolly good fellow

Freeze a jolly good fellow

Freeze a jolly good fellow

So into the hole he goes."

What? You really didn't really think I know anything about penguins, did you?

Okay, something for all my writer friends. 

There was once a young man who, in his youth, professed a desire to become a "great" writer.

When asked to define "great" he said, "I want to write stuff that the whole world will read, stuff that people will react to on a truly emotional level, stuff that will make them scream, cry, wail, howl in pain, desperation, and anger!"

He now works for Microsoft writing error messages.

Yup, I think that one's true.

Now for your hump day"aw". I've got a great one for you this week.

 Every little guy needs his teddy.

That's it. Did we get there? Are you over the hump and coasting toward the weekend? Great! 

Did you have any favorites?

The World Series begins tonight. 

GO RED SOX!!!

Quote of the Day:

Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. -- Mark Twain