Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Prisoner says...

 

Sigh.  Again!  Why is it when you know someone who lives in a town... or someone who works for a company... or someone who goes to a church... and something awful happens there (or near there), it's just ever so much worse?

Nashville.  Private Christian School.  Only a couple miles from the private Chirstian school my trainer's grandson, T, (age 5) attends.  We talked about the question his daughter in law asked his wife:  should we talk about it with T?

My own advice:  not unless he asks about it.  Otherwise, at age 5, if he's not aware, you don't need to turn his little world into a scarier place.

When I was six or seven, there was a killing spree going on in and near our state's capital city.  I was clueless.  We didn't have a TV.  My parents did not mention it.  I only found out years later about what happened back then.  The men in our little town, miles away, armed up and guarded.  As kids we might have noticed our dads behaving differently, but we were secure in our little worlds with our siblings, moms, and school days.  It did not last terribly long (a few days).  The guy was caught, tried, and executed.  For the longest time (decades) he was "the last prisoner executed" in our state.  The name Starkweather still has a black mark against it in these parts.

Life has changed considerably in the 60 plus years since then.  But the factor of local impact has not changed.  It's baked into our psyches... "it wouldn't happen here".  Until it does.

On a lighter note:  finding old TV shows I used to watch with my mom.  They are on Pluto, the free streaming service.  "Have Gun, Will Travel"... anybody remember that one?  Ancient "Avengers", the one with Steed before Emma Peele!  The ones with Honor Blackman!  Always something old.  And the memory is weak enough I have to watch them the way my dad used to re-watch old movies:  "to see if it turns out different this time"!

Wednesday morning I drove to the election commission office and turned in my ballot.  I don't know what kind of laws will be passed before the autumn elections, but we're still able to vote from home / by mail for the primary and city elections.  It's an interesting mayoral race, kind of a mix between referendum on how our current mayor handled the pandemic, and two other candidates one who is already spewing negative ads against the mayor, and the remaining one steering a more "middle" road, with a "not a politician, I'm a leader".  The top two, regardless of political affiliation will go on to the general.  So the trick is to pick the one most likely to result in the candidate you really want winning the general, right?  Narrow balance beam, there.

There have been some "reading list" issues, but seriously, I've been in the cave since last weekend... last posted on the gratitude list on Saturday.  

Hope all are hanging in there!

Despite whatever else is showing up, LIFE, itself, is good.  Spark on!


Saturday, March 25, 2023

Daily Gratitude week of March 19 - 25, 2023

 Happy New Week to all!  St. Patrick's day behind, a month and two days 'til the tiny Wedding.  


Sunday, March 19, 2023

Today I am thankful for family.  My daughter in law to be shared with me yesterday a form of privilege she and my son have talked about:  having supportive parents.  

It's not just parents, it is all the loving adults that might surround a child, in short, a family.  She was not aware of my family's disruption during my early years, but in my 4-year-old time frame (yes, over 60 years ago), I was bounced among 3 different households because my mother was hospitalized.  So were my older sister and infant brother.  4-year-old me?  Always felt loved, regardless of the living arrangement.  So today I am thankful for family, be it nuclear, extended, or self-selected... and the love and support they give to one another.

Monday, March 20, 2023

Welcome to Spring!  Today I am thankful for a smooth lab draw at the Dr's office, safe travel to and from, and sunshine!

Tuesday, March 21, 2023

Today I am thankful that the clothing I ordered online arrived in time to try it on... some styles look fine on the models but not on me.  I may end up in a different color than the bride's favorite, and that's OK.  I have a month to decide!

Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Today I am thankful for choices, and the time to weigh them!   

The bride's colors are orange and navy.

The orange wrap dress... doesn't fit so well.  The photo is on a model, from their website.  


The suit they chose for my son is navy.  

I am thankful I ordered two different styles (wisdom comes with age), and that I have a couple more weeks to contemplate.  Navy is good for the mother of the groom, and it fits better.


Me as an aging, barefoot hippie, trying it on.  

Oh, and I'm thankful that I can laugh at myself.

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Today I am thankful that I'm still in the loop of at least some of the old work-place.  A friend from there who just kept on working is finally deciding to retire, after a 53 year career!  They have a party planned for April Fool's day, which seems appropriate for a possible surprise "no I'm not" kind of announcement, doesn't it?  I've been notified by two different sources and I will try to go.

Friday, March 24, 2023

Today I am thankful for sunshine in the morning.  It just starts the day with cheer!

Saturday, March 25, 2023

Today I am thankful for kid sister who dropped over to deliver pantyhose!  And for drama on the TV as fiction, rather than news.  1883 is what I imagined Yellowstone would be!

Saturday, March 18, 2023

The Madness is on!

Basketball was on in the background on Thursday.  It was on when I got to the trainer's studio for my workout that morning, and I've put it on when I got home, too.  I do love me some March madness.  With the emphasis on some.  It gets tiresome above a certain limit.  It was a good game, W. Virginia versus Maryland, in the final minute with only 3 points difference on the scoreboard.  Maryland eked it out with a last minute shot.

As strange as this "spring forward" week has been, it's ending with entertainment.

We had snow outside, still falling, but not accumulating.  I'm glad I don't have to be going anywhere.

Midway through St. Patrick's Day, the young couple posted on Facebook, a selfie with the signage in the background.  Says the young woman, the mythical son asked, "If I buy this, will you make something with it?"  Have I mentioned she's a bit of a crafter?  Double entendre thrives in our family.

Her wedding bouquet, made by her mom.  All the decorations are made out of book pages, and I'm willing to bet a lot of the guests will be trying to match them to well-known literature.




I see Creighton got through round one of the tournament.  Woo-hoo.  I did not fill out a bracket, but I still root for the regional favorites around here.  I'm always pulling for Kansas and Creighton, for example.

I was happy to hear that Princeton pulled off a first round upset... I have friends out that way, too.

Some potentially "good games" ahead for Saturday, but I might or might not be watching.   

Meanwhile, daily life goes on.  Property taxes remembered and check written.  There have been years when time got away from me and I didn't notice the lapse until I had to pay interest on them.  Not this year!

I ordered the frames for Carl dog and puppy drawings, and I picked them up Saturday morning.  They are 11 x 14, matted to 8 x 10.  What a cutie, puppy and dog!  And what beautiful art to celebrate him as the matchmaker of this lovely couple!


I have boxed them up, but don't have any wedding wrapping paper... so ordered that as the next step.  

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!


Daily Gratitude for week of March 12 - 18, 2023

 Fresh post for a fresh week!  Happy Daylight Savings Spring forward weekend, and Happy Girl Scout Sunday!


Sunday, March 12, 2023

Today I am thankful for books.  I finished a romance novel today, one with a twinge of sadness to it.  I am thankful for fiction that can help us release emotions.  I am thankful for libraries, including the "little free libraries" one of which was the source of this most recent read.


Monday, March 13, 2023

Today I am thankful for my body, and all it does for me.  Do I even think about breathing?  Blood circulating, heart beating?  Well, at my age, sometimes I think about all these things:  bones holding me up, muscles helping me remain mobile, etc.  But I am so thankful that for the most part, it's been a good home for me, all these decades.  The things I might complain about (thinning hair, temperature variances, etc.) are so minor, and the vehicle keeps on keeping on.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

I'm laughing as it occurs to me that I'm thankful for what sleep I did get as the visiting dog not only hogged the bed, but licked my hand, poked his nose in my face, and mostly whined for his "regular" humans all  ...   night ...  long!  But I still got up, in the 4 a.m. hour and could not help but smile at this canine that I helped snuggle and socialize when he was tiny.

Not so tiny any more!  Still beloved.

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

Today I am thankful for the many ways humans have of saying "I love you."  "Drive safe", "feel better", "thank you", and the one my mom pointed out was my dad's special one, "You're silly."  The thing is, just about every little phrase can become "I love you" when said and received from a space of love.

May love fill all your hearts and lives, in many forms!

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Today I am thankful for artists, whether professional or amateur (or maybe even both, as professionals can be lovers of their art, too).  Art enriches us in so many ways... it's a reason to keep on living... be it music, graphic arts, sculpture, performance art, writing.  Creativity keeps us ticking.  Imagine what Grandma Moses' life would have been if she didn't take up painting!  

These (still wrapped) arrived from Sally yesterday.  I am thrilled and am imagining how to frame them to celebrate the young couple's wedding in a month.  The matchmaker, young, and adult.

Friday, March 17, 2023

A Happy St. Patrick's Day to all.  Today I am thankful for traditions.  The wearing of the green today is one, but there are oh, so many, to mark the passing of time, the phases of life.  

Saturday, March 18, 2023

Today I am thankful for collective efforts to take care of what holds a society together:  roads, parks, schools, athletic spaces, water and electric grids, food distribution for those in need and in emergencies.  All these things are needed, and nobody is so far off the grid that they don't have some need.  As an aging person, I am particularly grateful.

Tomorrow it will be time to start a fresh new week of gratitude post!

Wednesday, March 15, 2023

The puppy growth photos, from 2019

Carl's growing up photos, from May 2019 to October, 2019.

He liked that one stairstep, I called it his "den".  I took a picture of him on it each day he came to my house for puppy day care.

He came on Mondays to visit Grandma, as his Daddy had to show up at the physical office on Mondays. 

You can see him growing out of his den, week by week.


May, June, the beginning of July... then there is a bit of a break, of a few weeks when we laid my brother to rest.  Grandma wasn't home to provide puppy day care.


You can see the growth spurt.

All of a sudden, he didn't fit!





 Grandma stopped taking pictures on the step about that time.


Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Weddings and Funerals

 

The universe has its own odd sense of timing.  Just as I'd been echoing the loss of my nephew all those years ago, this week I got a message from my son about the loss of his fiancée's cousin.  You see, the nephew I had lost was his first cousin, this new loss is hers.

Grandma will be called upon Monday and Tuesday as the funeral requires an overnight stay for the soon to be wed couple.  It makes sense that I take Carl on as a visitor, since I'm on the periphery of this one.  

In any case, heart attacks in younger adults shake things up considerably.  This particular cousin was only 44, and this was totally unexpected.  That's barely 5 years older than my son and his intended.  A young (to me) mom, she leaves a husband and a middle school aged child behind, which adds to the disruption in their family.

I lost a first cousin myself when we as a were in our 30's.  Since cousins tend to be our initial play group as children this can be huge.  My heart aches for the younger generation that is learning this pain now.


Sunday morning:  Spring forward

Time goes on, like a river, flowing.  There's this rock at the pit of my stomach thinking of losses and their cycle.  But that river, it keeps on flowing, even if you think your world has stopped.  The wider world has not.

I woke this morning with all my clocks automatically change, except two.  The microwave and the car clocks are still manual changes.  I was pleased to discover that I didn't have to look up how to change the car clock this time!

I finished reading Debbie MacComber's A Walk Along the Beach.  Tissue box required.  It was dedicated to the memory of a friend of hers who had passed from cancer.  The content's mixture of sad and of course happy romantic ending was sure to bring on the leaky eyes.

Back to the non-fiction for the week ahead!

Monday:  Carl arrival day

My son dropped Carl off at 2 p.m., as promised.  Carl was a good boy.  Until bedtime.  He did not like having to stay overnight and whined for his "regular" humans.  It doesn't help that Grandma is a morning person, and his daddy is a night owl.  But we're doing well.  Grandma got up in the 1 a.m. hour, put on her shoes, coat, hat and gloves, and clipped a leash on his collar to take him out in the backyard to sniff and tinkle.  Then got up for good (gave up and got up) in the 4 a.m. hour to do it again. 

Which reminds me:  he's doing GREAT with the collar training!  He slows to grandma pace when I say to do so.  He's not pulling.  His "paw-rents" are doing a fine job of preparing him for his role to come. 

He's guarding the house against the cats who actually live here.  I scolded him about it Monday afternoon/evening.  "Prisoner lives here.  YOU are a guest!"  Nonetheless, The Prisoner bolted from his normal post on the deck rail.  Rubia is in the house, hiding in the basement.  She has a litter box down there, at least.

Some might ask why I put Carl on a leash when I have a fenced yard?  Well, he's mostly black.  It's night time.  And I have cataracts, to boot.  Better safe than sorry.  "OK, Google".  "Lumos".  I don't even have to touch the screen to turn on my phone's flashlight, thank goodness. 

Anyway, I asked my son for an update on the family and how they're holding up.  Predictably, the departed's young son is having a hard time.  That too-young man had said:  "I don't know how to deal with this."  That's a very mature statement for someone his age.  I said to my son that nobody does.  "When I go, you will have a hard time, even if I'm 97 by the time I do."  He just wrapped me up in a huge hug.

I'm trusting him to take care of his lady-love.  He's being there.  That's 90% of it.

I'm also wondering if this visit is going to make the honeymoon visit better or worse, as they're coming to get him Tuesday evening, and the honeymoon will be considerably longer.  

Life is good.  Keep Sparkin'!





Thursday, March 9, 2023

A new week begins, middles, and is almost to the end already!

 

Carl is a laid-back character at the dog park, and more than happy to accept attention from new friends.  Except of course when he's running wild with a pack of other dogs.  He loves playing chase me!

He has always avoided going through the tube in the photo.  We're thinking it's because he would have to stoop/crawl; it's not big enough for him.  The little dogs that scoot through it are considerably shorter than Carl.

I am glad he's not into crawling.  I hope it means he won't try to go under the fence at my house!

Sunday was a beautiful day.  The temperature got all the way up to 63℉ in the afternoon.  It really is a week early for Carl's birthday "party" but the kids had checked the weather forecast next weekend and it was a 30-degree difference (colder next weekend).

Monday morning, I woke early, well rested, and broke my fast with rolled oats simmered in 1% milk and a cup of fresh blueberries.  I walked a mile inside with Leslie Sansone, something I started doing during 2023.  If I don't feel like going outside, and I don't have a trainer session, it's a good way to make sure I have some sustained activity.  I remember seeing lots of other Sparkers using her program "back in the day" when I was doing triathlons and training more vigorously, but at this stage in my life, the walking tapes fit my needs.

I had fuel saver points expiring Monday, too, so I took Dexter over to the Hy-Vee gas station and used them.  He was not yet down to half a tank, but you know, if a 25-cent discount is going to be lost by waiting longer, better to use it on half a tank than lose it for a whole tank.  

I've been clothes shopping online, with the wedding and reception in mind.  Here's one that I found that has a good bit of orange (bride's favorite color).

I got the e-mail confirmation that it has shipped, so we'll see if it passes the fit test, and the fabric test.  Since I'll have dog handling duties and weather in late April is unpredictable, I also ordered a top that I could pair with jeans.  You just never know.  Seven weeks to go, and an outdoor wedding. 

On the viewing front, I'm finally jumping on the Yellowstone bandwagon.  Watching episode 1 of season 1 on Monday.  Looked as though this is going to be this generation's Dallas or Dynasty.  I had this notion in my mind that the series was going to be set in history, as in when Yellowstone was first being discovered and settled.  Oops.  Not!  And after a few more episodes I decided it was darker and more violent than the Dallas version that aired in the 1970's and 1980's.

I have also been enjoying the re-boot of Quantum Leap, and something called Poker Face.  All three of these on Peacock.  

Tuesday:  workout with the trainer day.  Lather, rinse, repeat.  A very necessary part of my week!  

Tuesday evening, I got an invite to the old Spark maintenance group's new io group, and I trotted over, and got to see several old Spark friends are quite active on that venue.  They had some technical problems with the Google groups site they had been on but are finding an alternate solution.  I hadn't been very active over there, finding the interface "clunky" for me.  Probably just the way my brain works (or doesn't).  But I'm glad the group is there.

Spark really has splintered, but small "islands" of people are all over.  There are a bunch over on My Fitness Pal, a few Facebook groups, that new io group (formerly Google group), and a loose collection of bloggers.  Slowly, we're "losing" one another, like school graduates who scatter.

Ace and I opted out of our Wednesday afternoon walk as it was chilly and damp out and she hadn't worn a coat and we decided to sip Earl Grey tea and have sister talk instead.  A lovely break in a week, it was.  

Brrrr!  Thursday morning, we had big wet flakes falling.  The cats looked at me with accusing eyes from the deck, but they are the ones who insisted on going out there!

Snow-in-the-dark photos.  Prisoner goes into his "guard" mode, Rubia huddles in the corner.


It was trainer work-out day, being Thursday, and that felt good.


Looking forward to several deliveries... the wedding wardrobe pieces, some flavored coffee that's been delayed in shipping, and soon, the Carl portraits!

That's about it from here, I had best wrap up and post this!

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!






Grateful every day, week of March 5 - 11, 2023

 

A fresh new week to nourish gratitude in our hearts!

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Today I am thankful to be included in the family outings, like taking the dog to the run today.  It's not an every day obligation, it's a treat!  

I am further thankful for the mobility to be able to engage in this kind of outing, where the terrain is not always smooth.

I have noticed over time that I'm a bit more self-restricting of certain kinds of obstacles, that require too long a stride, or balancing on slippery footing, etc.  The stepping stones, that aren't necessarily level, but have slanted surfaces is one at this dog park.  Then I remember I'm 70, and to be grateful to have as many options as I do!

Monday, March 6, 2023

Today I am thankful for recreational reading.  Diving into a Debbie Macomber light romance is like having dessert after several non-fiction reads.

Tuesday, March 7, 2023

Today I am thankful for oatmeal.  May seem odd, but this go-to breakfast cereal that's been with me from childhood up, qualifies as a healthy comfort food for me.

Wednesday, March 8, 2023

It's international day of the woman.  Today I am thankful for all the women who blazed the trails to make it possible to live the professional life I did.  I missed some of the social changes (grew up in the era when girls were only allowed to wear slacks to school on "gym day" or if the weather was brutal (snow pants).  But I was among the first of the girls allowed to take classes like "electronics" and "drafting".  For this, I am thankful.

Thursday, March 9, 2023


Taking time today to be thankful for the life of my nephew, Dubart, who left us all too soon.  I will never forget the phone call from his mother letting me know of his passing in 2011 (she's gone now, too).  Funny how sometimes God speaks through us because I had no idea what I was going to say, but it ended up as "a life does not need to be long to be meaningful".  Thank you, Father, for putting those words there at the right time.  Today would have been his 48th birthday.  He was a gentle giant of a man who had to bend at the waist to hug short little me.

Friday, March 10, 2023

Today I am thankful that my siblings are so much still a part of my life.  We aren't a "call every day" or "dinner every week" kind of family, never were, but the easy acceptance of one another's differences and similarities and the ability to laugh at ourselves is such an automatic connection.  Happy Birthday to my sister Alicia, today!

Saturday, March 11, 2023

Today I'm thankful I don't have to go anywhere!  Sleet / frozen bits on my deck this morning have my feet choosing to stay indoors, and I am thankful I can make that choice.

Tomorrow it will be time to start a fresh gratitude post, too!

Sunday, March 5, 2023

Do you have a favorite?

 I know, that's kind of like asking a mom if she has a favorite child, when she has several.  My mom's standard answer (she had five) was "whichever one needs me the most, for however long they need me".

Obviously, every pet is different, but just as obviously, some will bond more closely with their human cohabitants, or in different ways.

I got to thinking about this the other day, as I kept dumping Rubia off the computer table. 

Why?  Because she's a licker.  And it annoys me when she licks my hand as I navigate with the computer mouse.




When the Prisoner approaches me, he gets very, very close.  He head-bumps me.  But he is not a licker.  Also, most of the time, when he comes to me, it's because he wants something... a door to be opened, a lap to be provided, a dish to be filled, the litter box to be cleaned.

I prefer his form of interaction to hers.  I do love both of my critters, but they are different, and I do find one suits me more, so I guess that makes him my favorite?

How about y'all?  Do you have multiple pets (I know many of you do)?  How are they different from one another?

Life is good.  Spark on!


Saturday, March 4, 2023

Marching forth into National Son's Day

 

The photo is from four years ago, when my son adopted Carl.  Apparently, there is a debate about just when National Son's Day is.  I choose the one that gives me an easy way to remember:  "march forth".

Saturday morning, bright and early, Andy's Appliance of Lincoln, Nebraska showed up at my house, both the same experienced guy who came out in 2020 (remember when my water softener blew up and I needed to have the washing machine and dishwasher checked out for residual damage?), and a new guy who was assessing whether he wanted to go into this line of work.

It took them less than ten minutes to assess the issue.  I showed them where I'd found the ice (see prior blog) and water, let them know there were no temperature issues, I'd not had any food spoil, and showed them the drip tray that was bone dry, then left them to assess.  Short time later, they called me down and showed me where the ice was forming, and blocking the drainage of the defrost tube.  They gave me an estimate, including the service call, the parts and repair, and it was considerably less than a new 'fridge would have been, so I OK'd it.  20 minutes later, they were on their way and I have my working 23 year old machine.  

As Jeremy (repair guy) said, "The old machines are so much better than what they are building today, that even if the estimate to repair was $900 I would recommend repair rather than replace."  That's the same message he gave me about my washing machine back in 2020.  These machines could keep running for another 20 years.  

I've been invited to the dog park tomorrow, with Lacey and Jon and Lacey's folks to celebrate Carl's birthday.  I'm not sure of the exact date of his "birthday" but tomorrow looks like the best weather day for romping at the dog run.  This is the one with the obstacle course.  We'll see how he does this time.

Life is good.  Keep on Sparking!


Friday, March 3, 2023

Everyday "emergencies" and education

 

The 'fridge had been having water in the wrong places issues.  Today I noticed water in the crispers again, and when I took them out to dry them, there was ICE underneath.

So, I rolled up my sleeves and called the appliance repair people.  They will be coming out on Monday.  Meanwhile, I dried it all out again.

The admin lady talked me through finding the model and serial number, and date of manufacture (April, 1999).  Why does 1999 sound "new" to me, but not to the majority of worker-bees?

This is where the ice was molded, but with the crisper drawers removed.

I'm dragging my feet about grocery shopping and trying to use up what's in the 'fridge before Monday, just in case the verdict is that it can't be fixed and I might have to wait for a new appliance to be delivered and installed.


The water is supposed to drain down into this tray that sits under the 'fridge.  Obviously the draining hasn't been happening for a while.

Thursday morning I got a text message from the trainer, he wasn't going to make it to our session... see you next week.  Believe it or not, I was a little relieved.  I have been dipping my toe back into the intermittent fasting thing, trying to relax the hours a bit, trying to let go of the perfectionism that goes along with IF.  But at first, there are these little adjustments.  Already, with just two fasts under my belt, the digestion has settled down, but the headache adjustment cropped back up.  Onward!

As though to make up for the missed session, I got a pacing phone call from my son on his long drive home.  I told him of my woes with the 'fridge.  He shared his decisions pending related to work.  He has to furnish his office, having received his provisional licenses for both Social Work and therapy.  He told me all the research about effectiveness related to office furnishings, as far as successful patient outcomes is concerned.  As usualAl, he's put in his homework.

Then of course there is the wedding planning.  He checked on it being OK with me to be a part-time handler for Carl at the reception, as well as the ceremony.  Carl will be the ring-bearer.  They have been taking him to the venue and doing "collar training" and wardrobe training will begin soon.  

He normally won't wear a costume for very long, thus the wardrobe training.  Good boy, Carl!  

As of Thursday evening, the plan is for them to drop Carl at Grandma's house (me) while they set up the reception venue, and I'll take him over to meet the crowd.  The bride to be thinks her friends who read about him on her social media will want to meet him.

How is Carl with crowds?  He does OK... they take him to the Community Free Market which is outdoors and dog-friendly.

Friday morning I could feel the weather front coming through, in my sinus passages.  I swear it's not always allergies, it's the air pressure changes.  Get upright, take a hot shower, get dressed and start moving, gently, and the day will be fine.

It's laundry day here.  Also trash day.  I brought the garbage bin back from the curb, and tossed the first load of laundry in.

Oh, fun thingy:  I took a little quiz (on Facebook, one of my kid sister's kids posted their results) that purports to line you up with a country, based on your responses to questions about cultural dimensions (whatever that means).  I came out Luxembourg.  My walking partner sis came out Namibia.  But we are the outliers in the family.  Most of them landed in some Scandanavian nation:  Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Iceland are all represented.

In any case, I knew almost nothing about Luxembourg, other than "tiny, somewhere in Europe", so, being me, I went and looked it up... on Google Maps, where I saw it to be nestled betwixt Belgium, France, and Germany.  OK so far, so fair.  Speaking of tiny, it is geographically and population wise, smaller than the state of Rhode Island.

Then on to Wikipedia where I learned that after several occupations and wars, it coalesced into a nation in 1890.  I got lazy and searched on YouTube, where I found its national motto loosely translates to "We want to remain as we are", which of course was saying, "don't occupy us", and "we are NOT part of any of these other countries"!

Anyway when I got to the translation of the motto, I started to giggle, as it's so me!  I do want to remain as I am, I'm happy with me, with my ongoing desires to grow and change, but on my own terms.  I don't want to be pushed around, even if I've let myself be in the past.

And there you have the educational segment of the day!  Hope you're having a fine Friday, and that it leads into a healthy and wonderful weekend!

Life is good.  Spark on!

Saturday morning naughty puppy

  Don't know if it's visible to anyone else, but this is my outdoor unit of the central air... can you see where the puppy tore at t...