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“R”ental car rousting
Highlighting a popular post from 2012, during the 2019 A to Z Challenge. The problem with rental cars is ...
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Living with cats: Is your cat on Instagram?
Tikey is one handsome cat! Who could he be connecting with on Instagram? Skype? I read this article, “Is Your Cat on Instagram,” and for a minute I thought, “I hope not!” If he or she is, I’m not aware of what they are posting. Then, this idea took me to Twitter, Facebook and of all things, Skyping. After all, my laptop does have a camera and mic. It would be quite easy for my cats to participate in any of these social media outlets. And, I would never know! How do I ensure that my cats and dogs are safe on the Internet? That they are not being phished…
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“X” chromosome
Is it a coincidence that the “X” chromosome looks like a Cheetos cheese puff? I think not! It’s official. I’ve entered perimenopause. And I must say, I’m disappointed to find out that it’s very much like puberty. I’ve always known that hormones were involved. But, do they have to wreak havoc on your life and all of those around you — again? I guess the only thing lacking is peer pressure, although having a zit on your chin at the age of 49 doesn’t make you the most attractive person to be around. Thank goodness for the Hallmark Channel. It’s much more acceptable to go through a box of tissue…
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“S”napper: mow, mow, it’s off to work we go!
When we moved to Indiana, my father-in-law kindly donated his “seasoned” Snapper riding mower to our almost-one-acre of land. (The fact that he wanted a new, zero-turn radius mower sweetened the deal). Husband Joe was up to the task of tackling the brambles, branches and bushes as well as neatly mowing and trimming the grass. The first mow of the season took two and a half days – not solid mowing time of course and only during daylight hours. Adjustments needed to be made to the seat, spark plugs, carburetor and blade. And, it quickly came to our attention that mowers need oil. Who knew? Joe’s dad knew. However, Joe…
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Maine or Rac-coon? – Blogging from A to Z
Shortly after moving to Terre Haute in 2005, we lost one of our two cats to bladder cancer. Two months later, a Maine Coon kitten showed up at my friends’ backdoor with a terrible respiratory infection and she took it to the vet for treatment. My husband Joe and I adopted it as a playmate for our remaining orange Manx cat, Oliver. Lil’ Tyke, as he became known, came to live with us in October. Tyke darted out of the house one Saturday evening in May 2006 while I was out of town and Joe didn’t notice his absence until the following morning. When I returned home, we looked in…
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All creatures, great and small
I’m a big fan of God’s creatures. The only things that make me uncomfortable are large, jumping spiders or roach gangs (you know they never travel alone). That said, when I woke up in the middle of the night to let my dog outside, and happened to wander into the living room to find our three cats strategically hunkered down around the swivel chair, I became apprehensive. Tails were swishing in wide strokes (except for Ollie, the Manx cat sans tail) indicating the hunt was on. With only my outdated eyeglasses and lack of courage to guide me, I returned to bed. One of three things would happen: 1) Whatever…
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Cookie monster!
I’ve gained three pounds since this year’s Girl Scout Cookie sales began. It’s probably not fair to blame my debauchery on sweet little girls whose only goal is to sell mouth-watering cookies to help fund troop activities, earn badges and defray costs. Forget dirty bombs and germ warfare. Our overseas enemies could learn a trick or two from the Little Brownie® Bakers. There is something so seductive about a Samoa cookie wrapped in a warm caramel blanket, hugged by chocolate and toasted coconut. My husband and I are convinced that there must be an addictive ingredient in the Thin Mints which intensifies if you freeze them before devouring. I first…
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Sunny disposition
It’s this time each year when winter is in full swing, the days close in darkness at 5 p.m. and the wind chill is 0 degrees. Originally from Colorado, where it can snow 12 inches one day and be 50 degrees and sunny the next, I need to actively remind myself what it is about this season that I love, now that I live in Indiana. It’s not uncommon for skies to be overcast for days on end and for freezing rain to accompany or precede beautiful snow. So, here goes: 10 things I like about winter, in no particular order: snowflakes, falling snow, crunchy hard-packed snow, all things snow-related…
