Thinking

It's sad how people who were once the best of friends drift apart and end up becoming strangers. Earlier today I was picking up a few things at Wal Mart and I swear that I passed the woman who had been my best friend in the early 90's. At first, it was kind of hard to tell for certain since we both had masks on, but we made eye contact and it was then that I was 100% sure it WAS her. I was going to say hello, but there was no sign of recognition on her part and she just kept on walking.

Sunday Stealing

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1. Have you ever had a vacation ruined by the weather or did you just work around it? Ruined? No. Inconvenienced? Yes, especially on my many vacations to Florida. If you're vacationing in the panhandle state, you'd better be prepared for rain. Seems like it rains at least once a day there.
2. What small changes do you feel people could make to give the planet a fighting chance against global warming? Elect politicians who take the threat of global warming seriously, and who are willing to listen to and act on advice from scientific experts. Recycle, recycle, recycle. Stop adding to the problem of overpopulation by limiting the number of children you bring into the world.
3. Are you adversely affected by the weather, such as SAD? Unfortunately, yes. I suffer from depression and even though I treat it with medication, my blues and feelings of worthlessness are amplified during winter. Thank God for light therapy.
4. How is the weather where you are and have you seen drastic changes in it during your lifetime? Can we say hotter than Satan's asshole?😆 Summer has always been hot here in central Illinois, but the one difference I can't help but notice? Lack of tornadic activity. Of course that's not a bad thing, but when I was growing up in the 70's and 80's, it seems like we were under a tornado watch or warning at least once a week. On the opposite end of the seasonal spectrum, winter has changed the most. When I was a kid, it snowed from November to March/April, but now we may see one or two major snows in that same time span. Blizzards such as the ones we had in '78 and '79 are becoming the exception instead of the rule. I can't say I miss that.
5. Do you think we can stop global warming? I think we're too far gone to stop it completely, but I do believe we could slow it down if more people trusted science.
6. What could you do for an hour or so today that you would really enjoy doing? Taking a nap.
7. What could you do for an hour today that might improve your life in the future? Walk on my treadmill, but will I get off my fat ass and actually do it? Doubtful.
8. What could you do for an hour today that could strengthen or improve a skill you would like to be able to rely on? Play my Lumosity games and complete some crossword, crypto-quote, word jumble, and/or sudoku puzzles. Got to keep my brain sharp.
9. What could you do for an hour today that would make your living space more pleasant to live in? Take a shower and wash my hair. I was working outside earlier today and I stink.
10. What could you do for an hour today that would improve your relationships with loved ones? Just spend time with them. It's Sunday, so I'm sure we'll watch some trash tv, such as 90 Day Fiance on TLC.
11. Do you like, dislike, or pay no attention to the wind? Wind on a hot, humid day is wonderful, but on a day when the weather is cold and below freezing? Major dislike.
12. Do you have allergies or sinus made worse by the wind? My sinus issues are more affected by humidity instead of wind.
13. Have you ever been caught in a big wind (not a hurricane or tornado)? I can't recall.
14. When was the last time you flew a kite? Last spring with my students. I grew bored after 15 minutes.
15. Would you like to have the power of flight? Sure, but I'd push that aside if I was offered the power of teleportation.

Some Masked Humor

Perfect Analogy

Wednesday Hodge Podge #375

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1. Are you currently making plans of any kind? What kind? What emotions are associated with the planning process? Tell us about one plan you had to cancel due to the current situation which shall remain nameless. Ha! My family wants to get together to do an escape room, but no date has been set. We were going to do it back in April to celebrate my niece Madilyn's birthday, but of course that didn't happen. I'm hoping to meet up with my besties for lunch in the next week or so...I miss them terribly. And then there's my annual trip to the St. Louis IKEA/Trader Joe's with my friend Jen at the end of the month. I think we'll be okay as long as we wear our masks, wash our hands, and keep our distance from others. As for plans that were cancelled due to the current situation which shall remain nameless? The trip to Disney World. Yeah, I'm still bitter over that.
2. Last time you saw stars, either literally or figuratively? Literally: I look at the stars every night when I take my dog out for his last bathroom break before bed. Figuratively: A couple years ago when one of my blind students mistook me for a chew toy and bit into my upper left arm. 
3. Blueberries yay or nay? Blueberry pie, blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pancakes, or blueberries by the handful...what's your pleasure? Yay to all of the above except by the handful. 
4. swim against the tide, swimming upstream, in the swim, sink or swim, makes your head swim...choose one of the 'swim' idioms listed and tell us how/why you relate? The state of this country makes my head swim, my heart break, and my soul hurt.
5. Sum up your June in a single sentence. Bored and hungry.
6.  Insert your own random thought here.

66 Pounds Down, 40 More To Go

Weight loss for June- 4 lbs. So that makes 34.8 lbs. for the first half of 2020 and 31.2 for the last 3 months of 2019.

Tuesday 4

This week, let's talk about the Fourth of July...

1. Do you think the 4th is an important holiday? Why, why not?
It's America's birthday, so heck yeah it's important. It's important that we take the day to appreciate the freedoms and privileges we have as Americans, and also to remember our forefathers whose blood, sweat, and tears went into bringing this nation into being.
2. How do you celebrate? If you're not American, do you celebrate your nation's national holiday? For years, it was my family's custom to celebrate the 4th at my aunt's house. She and my uncle had a pool, so we'd swim all day, gorge on delicious food, play cards, and then watch the fireworks in the street in front of their house (they had a great view). Now that my aunt and uncle have passed away, and some of my relatives are no longer on speaking terms, there is no big celebration. To be honest, I no longer do anything special to mark the occasion. I don't even attend the local fireworks show.
3. In the time of Laura Ingalls Wilder, all Americans read the Declaration of Independence every year on the 4th and lemonade was a big treat for the town picnic. Do you read the Declaration of Independence? Or your nation's important papers? How about lemonade? Are you a fan? No, I can't say I read the Declaration of Independence (and I was a History major. Go figure!) As for lemonade, I LOVE it, but I haven't had it in years. Too much sugar.
4. Picnic, eat inside the house, or eat out for the 4th? I'll probably just grill a burger and then eat inside. Too many bugs outside, getting up in my face and driving me crazy.

Saturday 9: Beautiful People

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Saturday 9: Beautiful People (2019)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about the fantasy of being one of the "beautiful people," but how hollow the reality can be. Do you often find yourself envying others for what they have? Yes, unfortunately. I try not to let the green eyed monster take over, but I don't always succeed. It's difficult not to feel envious of people on Facebook and Instagram who seem to have it all: looks, wealth, the perfect body, the perfect house, the fairytale relationship, a huge circle of friends, etc. I'm logical enough to realize that things are not always as they appear, and that people only want to show what's beautiful and good in their lives, but there are times when I'm feeling so down on myself, I fall for the "smoke and mirrors" act.  

2) Ed Sheeran sings that he and his girl don't fit in well because they're "just ourselves." Who among your close friends do you find it easiest to be "just yourself?" My best friends, Kelly and Jen. They love and accept me for who I am, even when I'm at my most needy, anxious, annoying, and pessimistic.


3) The lyrics refer to Hummers and Lamborghinis. What's your dream ride? I'm a woman with simple tastes. I'd love to have a Volkswagen Beetle or VW bus. What can I say- I'm a hippie at heart!

4) Ed believes in giving back. One cause he supports is No Cold Homes, which helps ensure that everyone in the English city of Bristol has the fuel needed to keep their homes safe and comfortable. Here in the United States, he's raised funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Is there a cause that's near and dear to your heart? The ASPCA. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital (they treated my late cousin, Lori, when she was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 10). My local animal shelter (I donate money, food, and supplies whenever I can).

5) Ed's arms are covered in tattoos, so clearly he doesn't suffer from trypanophobia, or a fear of needles. How about you? Do you look away when the doctor gives you a shot? Nope, no fear of needles. I always have to look when I'm getting blood drawn or getting a shot. It hurts more if I don't look.

6) One of Ed's tattoos is a bottle of Heinz Ketchup. What condiments would we find if we peeked into your refrigerator this morning? Ketchup. Light mayonnaise. Salad dressings.  Soy sauce. Barbecue sauce. Worcestershire sauce. Lemon juice.


7) Ed is a natural redhead, a trait he shares with only 2% of the population. Does red hair run in your family? <raising hand> Redhead here! Red hair runs in my dad's family. Two of my great-grandparents, an uncle, and a handful of cousins were/are natural gingers.  Must be our Scots-Irish and Scandinavian DNA. As for my mom's side? A second cousin and I are the only ones "kissed by fire". My mom doesn't know who her biological father was, so I have no idea if there is another redheaded branch of my family tree.

8)  In 2019, when this song was released, the FDA recommended the approval of a drug for treating peanut allergies in children. Do you suffer from any food allergies, or sensitivities? Not that I'm aware of.

9) Random question: What of these do you think is the biggest contributing factor to success -- hard work, luck or talent? I think a mix of all 3, but I tend to put luck on the top of the list. There are so many hard working people who never get anywhere, no matter how hard they try. Same goes for talent. How many talented people are there who have worked hard to share their gifts with the world, but weren't successful because they weren't in the right place at the right time?

I Kind Of Feel Judged

Oh, who am I kidding? It's accurate, except for the part about the 87 guys.

Thursday 13: 13 Favorite Rides At Disney World

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Had it not been for COVID-19, and then a broken leg, my mom and I would've been vacationing this week at our home away from home, Walt Disney World. For this week's thirteen, I figured if I can't be at Disney in person, then I'll bring the Disney magic to me. Here is a list of my favorite, not to be missed attractions. Click on the ride name for a video.

1. The Tower of Terror (Hollywood Studios): I love everything about ToT- the Twilight Zone theme, the decrepit hotel, the creepy queue through the boiler room, and the free fall drops in the dark at the ride's conclusion. Did you know that the Tower's computer randomly selects a drop sequence from a set of 4 different presets? All 4 include at least one full drop from the top to the bottom of the elevator shaft. Depending on the elevator shaft or the drop profile you get, your elevator might stop at a scene along the way- lightning, a blue ghost, or the original elevator guests. Another interesting fact? Some props from the original Twilight Zone series can be spotted if you look hard enough. The Mystic Seer from the William Shatner episode "Nick of Time" is in on the shelf in the pre-queue area, and Willie from "The Dummy" episode is in the storage area before you disembark the ride vehicle.
2. Splash Mountain (Magic Kingdom): Have a "zip-a-dee-doo-dah" good time on this thrilling log flume attraction inspired by the movie Song of the South. Follow Br'er Rabbit as he searches for his "laughing place" and avoids Br'er Bear and Br'er Fox along the way. My favorite part of the ride? The 5-story drop at the end. Warning: you will get wet! As of today, it has been reported that Splash Mountain will be refurbished in the near future with a new theme- Princess and The Frog. I still don't know how I feel about that.
3. Pirates of the Caribbean (Magic Kingdom):  Yo ho, yo ho a pirate's life for me! Set sail in a weathered barge and travel back to the 17th century when rowdy rogues and ruthless rapscallions ransacked Caribbean seaport towns. Keep an eye out for Captain Jack Sparrow, who pops up in a couple of scenes. It sounds weird, but my favorite part of PotC is the smell of the water! And I adore the queue music as well.
4. Spaceship Earth (Epcot): Travel through time and explore the remarkable history of human communication from the Stone Age to the computer age. AKA "The Golf Ball".
5. Test Track (Epcot)- Design a virtual concept car and put it to the test on this thrilling, high octane attraction.  Rev through tough terrain and obstacles along the winding circuit. Accelerate through straightaways, maneuver switchbacks through inclement weather, hug curves banked at 50 degree angles and scale hills up to 3 stories high. Reach speeds of up to 65 mph as you put your car through its paces. Hold on to your hats and sunglasses-they will fly off once the ride goes outdoors.
6. The Haunted Mansion (Magic Kingdom)- Climb aboard a Doom Buggy for a grave journey through a labyrinth of haunted chambers. Beware of hitchhikers- phantom pranksters may follow you home! No matter how many times I've been through the Haunted Mansion, I'm still impressed by the ballroom scene. I know how the Imagineers achieved the effect, but it never ceases to amaze me. Oh, and be sure to say hi to Little Leota on your way out.
7. Soarin' (Epcot)- Take flight on a breezy, airborne adventure as you hang glide above breathtaking wonders of the world, such as the Taj Mahal and Iguazu Falls.
8. Dinosaur (Animal Kingdom): Travel back in time on a perilous prehistoric race to rescue a dinosaur- before a meteor strikes. You might want to skip this one if you're sensitive to loud noises and don't like being jerked around.
9. Kali River Rapids (Animal Kingdom): Set out on a thrilling whitewater adventure through a lush jungle in the heart of Asia. Just be prepared- you WILL get wet. Doesn't matter where you sit in the raft.
10. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad (Magic Kingdom): Race through a haunted gold mine aboard a speeding train on this coaster-like ride.
11. Expedition Everest (Animal Kingdom): Race through icy Himalayan peaks aboard a speeding train while avoiding the clutches of the mythic Yeti. I'm not a big coaster fan, but there's something about Everest that I love. I don't even mind the part where the train goes backward.
12. Carousel of Progress (Magic Kingdom): Not a ride per se, but a charming trip through the 20th century showcasing the marvels of progress and the evolution of technology.
13. Star Tours (Hollywood Studios): Make the jump to hyperspace on a thrilling 3D space flight to legendary destinations from the Star Wars saga. If you're prone to motion sickness, you might want to sit this one out.

I'm sure my list will change in the future once I have the opportunity to experience rides such as The Seven Dwarves Mine Train, The Rise of the Resistance, Toy Story Mania, Slinky Dog Dash, Flight of Passage, and the Navi River Journey. Four of those six rides were open during my last trip 2 years ago, but the queues were 2-3 hours long. That's called a no thanks.

*You may have noticed that Space Mountain and Rock N Roller Coaster featuring Aerosmith are no where to be found. I say nay nay to rollercoasters that are in the dark. I have to see what's coming track wise in order to tolerate the ride.