* "I WONDER" - AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE *

If you've read my blog for a long time, you might remember my "I Wonder" posts. I scrolled through my blog looking for one of these so I could go back and see if Rose Petals from Heaven was still blogging, because she made the beautiful background to my photo! Thanks again, Mo!

This particular post really made me laugh out loud because the conversations continue to be this annoying, aggravating, etc. 

BUT, I've learned to just agree and keep quiet. 😇

I Wonder

Oh, how annoying it is to suffer from lethologica, especially when you're a writer....

I wonder how many of you have heard of this word? I certainly hadn't until I accidentally came across it the other day. And oh, what a perfect word for so many of us.....   

Lethologica -  noun: the inability to remember a word or put your finger on the right word.

Ah yes, and sometimes it's worse being on the receiving end of a conversation......

~~~

The Ronald: "Look at the guy in this commercial."

Becky: "Which one?"

The Ronald: "That blonde guy. Wasn't he in that TV show that used to be on?"

Becky: "What TV show?"

The Ronald: "Oh you know. That one about cops and detectives. We used to watch it all the time."

Becky: "We've watched lots of shows that sound like that. Can you give me a little more information, like what decade it was??"

....and my exasperation goes on...

"I always have trouble remembering three things: faces, names, and -- I can't remember what the third thing is." -- Fred Allen

* I WONDER *

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER "I WONDER"

 

 

 

The Ronald had a medical test done yesterday morning (nothing serious) and he needed someone to drive him home, so I drove to and from. It was a crazy, rainy, windy day....but very scattered. We didn't see any rain until we were almost there. On the way home, it was dry for a few minutes, and then a deluge, and then dry again, etc. I love being in a location, looking across the horizon, and seeing exactly where the rain is pouring down from the clouds.

 

The clouds in the photos below are obviously NOT those kinds of clouds, though!

(You can click on each photo to see them larger.)

 

 

I am always in awe and wonder when I look at clouds. 

 

 

 

I found these clouds particularly interesting because of the dark and light "waves." And does anyone also see a couple of white, thin clouds, that slant down at the bottom of the "waves"? (I'm not even sure how to explain it!)

 

These aren't good photos, that's for sure, but I took them with my cell phone from inside my car!

 

 

"You must not blame me if I do talk to the clouds." - Henry David Thoreau

 





THE FIRST "GOOFY MONDAYS *

 

IT'S TIME FOR GOOFY MONDAYS!

 

 

Since I've been posting "Nostalgic Sundays" and "I Wonder" posts for quite a long time, although inconsistently, I decided I'd like to add a new recurring post: "Goofy Mondays."

For many of us, Mondays are BLAH, especially those "rainy days and Mondays," because they sure do get us down! (As it is doing here today.) I will attempt to be consistent with these posts J .

So, without further ado....

"The important thing in acting is to be able to laugh and cry. If I want to cry, I think of my sex life. If I want to laugh, I think of my sex life." - Glenda Jackson

* I WONDER *

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER I WONDER

(which I haven't written in a LONG time!)

 

 

 

 

I wonder how many people (adults and children alike) still look up at clouds and find joy in "seeing" various things: animals, objects, faces, etc.

 

I've enjoyed doing that for many years and I believe it's one of my favorite simple pleasures, but I had no idea there is an actual word for it: Pareidolia: (par-i-DOH-lee-a) Seeing Faces in Unusual Places.

 

Various websites can easily be found, explaining more about it, and it really is an interesting subject, to me, anyway!

 

So, why am I writing about Pareidolia in my "I WONDER" post?
 

WELL, this afternoon I washed out Vern's food and water bowls with an SOS pad, and then instead of throwing it immediately away, I put it aside on top of a paper towel. Then I finished rinsing and drying, and put the bowls back on the floor.

 

When I looked back at the used SOS pad, I laughed out loud, because this is what I saw:



From this angle, I see a cute, little animal face, like a baby seal.  

 

 

 

 

From this angle, I see a scary face: scary eyes,

 and a screaming mouth.

* I promise I did not touch the pad or change it in any way. I just took the top photo from an angle and this one I took straight on.
 

 

  I wonder.....what do YOU see??



* I WONDER *

It's time for another

I Wonder:

created by Rose Petals from Heaven

I wonder why all the other big winter storms have been given names, except for our Midwest storm. Did you see what our storm was called? We were given The Letter Q. Huh? Yes, not even an entire name; just the letter "Q"......Weird!

I took this photo when we were getting huge flakes and they were coming down so fast. It was beautiful, but I obviously don't have the right camera for it! Although "Q" lasted for HOURS, it varied between huge flakes, tiny flakes, sleet, and a little freezing rain.

Poor Vern! Wouldn't you hate to go outside in the cold and snow to use your bathroom facility? This was when it first started.

This is part of our front yard, taken at 4:00 pm today. The sun finally came out for a while, although it's still cold. I just love the long shadows showing on the snow. 

Here's another looking out our front door and up the street. Although the official snowfall for our town is 6", I think we had 4"-5". Because of the sleet and freezing rain, the top really glistens and sparkles, and holds weight for a while before feet crunch & sink in!

I wonder about all the different types of precipitation. It's one of those subjects I can just get lost in, thinking about this majestic world we live in. What about you? Do you ever "I Wonder"?




"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." -- John Ruskin

* I WONDER ABOUT WORDS AND MEMORY *

I Wonder

 I haven't posted an I Wonder in a long time.

I wonder why?

Oh, how annoying it is to suffer from lethologica, especially when you're a writer....

I wonder how many of you have heard of this word? I certainly hadn't until I accidentally came across it the other day. And oh, what a perfect word for so many of us.....   

lethologica ~ LĒTH ō LŎJ-ik ă  

noun: the inability to remember a word or put your finger on the right word.

Ah yes, and sometimes it's worse being on the receiving end of a conversation......

~~~

The Ronald: "Look at the guy in this commercial."

Becky: "Which one?"

The Ronald: "That blonde guy. Wasn't he in that TV show that used to be on?"

Becky: "What TV show?"

The Ronald: "Oh you know. That one about cops and detectives. We used to watch it all the time."

Becky: "We've watched lots of shows that sound like that. Can you give me a little more information, like what decade it was??"

....and my exasperation goes on...

"I always have trouble remembering three things: faces, names, and -- I can't remember what the third thing is." -- Fred Allen

* A Leap of Faith, Again *

I went through some of  my older blog posts yesterday, searching for just the right information to share...once again.  When I came upon this one, I decided to post it again. (It was an "I Wonder" post on March 9, 2012.) It was very meaningful to me then, as were all the wonderful comments I received, and it's very meaningful to me now as well, for very different and new reasons. (If anyone would like to read the comments on that original post, just click here)

Lately I've been thinking and wondering about Leaps of Faith. Don't you just love that phrase? Such thoughts and images come to my mind. But there is a group of images that is unsurpassed...

 

(all images courtesy Google)

I'll never forget the first time I watched Indiana Jones in The Lost Crusade take that "Leap of Faith." I held my breath, and then when I saw the "bridge" he walked across, my stomach got weak and I almost passed out because of my fear of heights! And no matter how many times I watch that scene, it effects me the same way -- -- emotionally and physically. My heart palpitates, I don't breath, my stomach does flips, and then BOOM...Indy accomplished the impossible. He believed. He HAD TO believe...and I cheer, usually out loud!

Anyone trying to achieve something of importance in their life has opportunities to take that "leap of faith," but how many of us actually do it?? Looking back, I know I've made a few of them, but they were more like "small steps of faith." (Every step in the right direction counts, though, right?) 

I'm working on the sequel to my memoir now, and will most likely need a few "leaps" along the way! 😀

 “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepherd

* I WONDER *

A funny thing happened on the way to this blog post today. I first stopped at Peggy Eddleman Will Write for Cookies and saw a similar theme to my planned post. In my comment, I said I'd wait a few more days for mine, because I didn't want to look like a "copy cat!" And Peggy, sweet thing that she is, wrote back and said, "Post it! It can be like the theme for the day. :) Seriously. I love when I find repeating themes as I read blogs!" So, there you have it. Thank you, Peggy! *Oh, please hop over to Peggy's fabulous blog, read her post, and drool over the cookies! I told her we need "Scratch 'n Sniff" blogs! ☺

Time for Another I Wonder !

Lately I've been thinking and wondering about Leaps of Faith. Don't you just love that phrase? Such thoughts and images come to my mind. But there is a group of images that is unsurpassed ~~~~

 

(all images courtesy Google)

I'll never forget the first time I watched Indiana Jones take that "Leap of Faith." I held my breath, and then when I saw the "bridge" he walked across, my stomach got weak and I almost passed out because of my fear of heights! And no matter how many times I watch that scene, it effects me the same way -- -- emotionally and physically. My heart palpitates, I don't breath, my stomach does flips, and then BOOM...Indy accomplished the impossible. He believed. He HAD TO believe....and I cheer, usually out loud!

Anyone trying to achieve something of importance in their life has opportunities to take that "leap of faith," but how many of us actually do it?? Looking back, I know I've made a few of them, but they were more like "small steps." (Every step in the right direction counts, though, right?)

I'm writing my memoir. Do I have faith in myself as a writer? Yes, I do. But something is holding me back somewhat, making it difficult to make much progress.Obviously if I knew what it was, I'd fix it. Okay...so maybe now it's time for MY "leap of faith," but where? In what direction? Where do I leap?

Please feel free to give me advice and directions, etc!



 “Sometimes your only available transportation is a leap of faith.” -Margaret Shepherd

* I WONDER *

Time for another I Wonder

There happens to be quite a few things I've been wondering about the past few days, but I'll only share two of them. My mind is usually like that Christmas song....I Wonder as I Wander.

                 

I Wonder:  Where the heck does the time go?? I get up early, and sometimes stay up late, too....and I'm busy, really busy doing things, yet nothing seems to get accomplished. On the contrary!

I Wonder: How many of you are familiar with the site Tiny Lights? I'm one of the writers who submits monthly answers to unique questions posed by Tiny Lights Guru -- Susan Bono. That area is called: Searchlights & Signal Flares.  Anyone can submit answers. Got that? Anyone! There is no payment, but it's certainly a great site for others to find your writing. Check out the guidelines and Go For It!

** Just added Saturday morning: Click here and be taken to my answer to Susan's latest question, What do you do when a story resists you?

(courtesy of: Tiny Lights - A Journal of Personal Narrative)

Welcome to my newest followers, Jean Tuthill & Glenn R. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"I am a conservative type of person, so sometimes when I'm chilling with myself, people always come ask me, 'What's wrong with you? What are you wondering about?'" -- Wayne Wonder

* I WONDER *

As usual, I've been mixed up about what day it is, but my laptop says it's Friday.

So, that means it's time for another I Wonder!

I wonder: If I'm becoming a real Miss Becky Homecky, because I baked four pies today! That is definitely a World Record for me! I've been making two pumpkin pies for Thanksgivng for many years, but I know that I've never made four, of any kind, in one day.

Now, before you get all impressed with my baking expertise....don't! Because I only use the easiest recipes and use every shortcut I can. Pillsbury rolled crusts, canned pumpkin, (does anybody use fresh pumpkin?) But, I am quite proud of myself for using apples, and not the canned kind!

My two pumpkin pies, ready to go into oven.

I'm not very fancy with the crust edges, either!

Baked, just right, and I only had to slide the knife in it twice.

Some years it looked like Zorro had his way with them!

This is my favorite kitchen gadget in the entire world!

If it wasn't for this, I wouldn't enjoy making apple pies so often.

I bought this at Bed, Bath & Beyond a few years ago and it still works great.

Layers of sliced/peeled apples, with sugar-cinnamon sprinkled on top.

I think y'all remember how much little things give me such joy?!

WELL, my Pampered Chef pastry blender is one of those!

I didn't have one for years and just used a fork, which worked fine,

but having a real one of these makes me feel like a REAL baker!

(this is the flour/sugar/butter mixture that gets sprinkled on top.)

Ready to pop into oven.

Baked, ready to cool, and serve tomorrow. Yummy!

It was 9:00pm when I took these from the oven. I still have things to do for tomorrow, but only simple things, like straightening up the family room, etc. So, all is good and I'm relaxed. Yay!

Welcome to my newest followers: "PJ @ Seens From The Backs Of My Eyelids" and "Cate Pearce." I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

 

“America has developed a pie tradition unequivocally and unapologetically at the sweet end of the scale, and at no time is this better demonstrated than at Thanksgiving.” -- Janet Clarkson. Pie: A Global History



* I WONDER *

Zowie! Time for another I Wonder.



I Wonder: Those of you who have DVRs (digital video recorders) on your TV...Do you ever catch yourself, while driving along listening to your car radio, reaching down to hit some kind of Go Back button?? You didn't hear what the person said, or didn't understand, and so you wanted to go back and listen again?? And in that split second you think to yourself, Duh! my radio does not have that!

The Ronald and I have gotten so spoiled by having that on our TV. Eldest son, Scott, kept telling us we should get it, but we always seem to drag our feet on anything new-fangled and that costs more.

I Wonder: Do the radio systems you can buy for your cars, like Sirius, have a Go Back button on them??

"There is no harm in repeating a good thing." -- Plato

* I WONDER *

I Wonder: What is it about women's friendships that make them so special? And what is it that attracts one person to another in the first place?

I've never studied psychology or human behavior but I do know one thing. I know about myself and my reasons for connecting with someone as a friend, a woman friend. It only takes moments for me to know if someone has a sense of humor. Bing! And if we find out we have similar ideas about what's funny and what isn't. Bing! Instant Friend!

A very thoughtful, funny and sweet friend sent me this card a few days ago. She knew I'd been going through some tough times and thought I'd get a kick receiving a funny card in the mail. She was right!

This is the front of the card and it really does have huge fake eyelashes on it! I laughed the minute I opened the envelope and saw those.

And this is the inside of the card. Another belly laugh!
Underneath, she wrote her usual, caring and funny words.
It made my entire day....uh...week!

 

 

Welcome to my newest follower, off kilter. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

"How rare and wonderful is that flash in the moment when we realize we have discovered a friend."
- William Rotsler

* I WONDER... ABOUT ROBERT BRAULT *

It's Friday....time for another I Wonder!

 

I am extremely grateful and happy to know Robert Brault. Some of my blog friends also know Robert and his writing genius. If you think you don't know him, you've probably read one of his hundred (or thousand?) quotes, and just didn't realize who the author was. If you Google Mr. Brault, you'll see what I mean.

Not too long ago, he let us in on some BIG news. Northern Sun is publishing a 2012 wall calendar and a set of note cards, with Robert's amazing thoughts and quotes, plus some beautiful photos. Oh my goodness. Can you say, "Christmas Gifts?!"

I've already placed my online order for one calendar and one set of note cards....for now. I'll buy more, as soon as I figure out how many I need!

I Wonder: How many of his 2012 calendars, and note card sets will be purchased online  just today?

Please click on the Northern Sun link and take a look, and maybe place an order!

What would be more fitting than to close with a Robert Brault quote today??

 "I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar." -- Robert Brault

* I WONDER *

It's time for another I Wonder.  Really? Already??

I feel "kind of old" when I keep talking about how fast time is flying by, but uh...I AM kind of old!☺

So, on to another subject. I just realized a couple of days ago, after a gentle reminder from fabulous friend, Lynn, at Lynn, What's for Dinner?, that it was my turn to be her featured "chef"...and I say that with a fallacious smile. Since I'm not much of a cook (at all!), my recipe is a simple one. Please stop by and see what else Lynn posted about me.

I'm so fortunate that Lynn is one of my home town blog friends. In fact, I knew her before either of us began blogging. She's sweet, kind, funny, and a great writer. She's keeping three blogs at the moment, too. Please check out her two Food Blogs: Lynn, What's for Dinner?, Lynn, What's for Dessert? and her Writer Blog, Present Letters, which is always letters written to a very special person.

My I Wonder for today is: How many of you consider yourselves "chefs"? What are your favorite recipes, both dinners and desserts? (or can you say, "Take Out"?)

Mother's words of wisdom: "Answer me! Don't talk with food in your mouth!"
-- Erma Bombeck

* I WONDER *

It's been three weeks since my last I Wonder post. I don't remember why I missed the one on August 19th, but I really remember why I missed last week's.

One reason: I was busy getting things ready for the Saturday Writers meeting which was the next day. My scheduled speaker had to cancel and I scrambled for someone to take her place. Many thanks to Debbie Marshall, president of Missouri Writers Guild (MWG), who came to our rescue.

Second reason: I was dealing with what I thought was a very painful toothache. After a visit to my dentist on the 25th, and then an oral surgeon on the 26th.....neither could figure out what was wrong. I told both of them, "What can I say? I'm weird!" So, on Monday, the 29th, I saw my primary doctor and was diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia. I won't go into details because I don't want to come across as whiny, but I had some really awful pain, for quite a few days. (I knew it wasn't a sinus infection, either, because I had none of the usual symptoms. I get them often enough to know!)

My I Wonder for this Friday is: I wonder how many of you have any special plans for this 3-Day Weekend?

Me? I have no special plans.

 I just want to relax and write, and write and relax, etc.

Also, Welcome to my newest follower, Maryann Miller. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

 

"If all the cars in the United States were placed end to end, it would probably be Labor Day Weekend." ~Doug Larson

* I WONDER *

It's Friday and time for another "I Wonder."

Usually, I can't read more than one book at a time, although I know many of you can. Right now, though, I'm reading two :

1) The Wildwater Walking Club, by Claire Cook (love her books)

2) Reading & Writing from Literature (textbook)

1) I'm only on Chapter 8 (which are called Days, not Chapters....three women walk together every day...so it's Day 1, etc.) but I know I'll zip right through it.

2) I LOVE the textbook! I have no idea where it came from and it looks brand new. I discovered it last week when I was in the midst of my on-going-loft de-cluttering. There are three book shelves in a room not big enough for them, plus the other furniture. Anyway, why do I love this book? Many reasons:

The Paper. It is almost tissue paper thin. It is so delicate that I touch and turn the pages as if they were made of ...what ?...something so precious I'd never want them to break.

The Scent: Have you ever stuck your nose inside a book? Come on, admit it. It's not too weird. It smells as lovely as the paper is delicate.

The Multitude of Remarkable Writers and Knowledge: Ray Bradbury, Walt Whitman, James Joyce, Eugene O'Neill, Maya Angelou, etc.etc.etc! Short stories, poems, essays, and plays. Point of View, Characters, Dialogue.

I feel the way I did when I was a young girl in September, and it was time for school to start again.

So, my I Wonder for today is: How many books can you read at the same time? What are you reading now? AND, do you like the scent of a book?

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."-- Charles W. Eliot





* I WONDER *

I Wonder: I wonder if I can get all the things accomplished that's on my "List of Things to Do", between right now and Sunday night. At the top of the "List" is writing! Writing my memoir, writing for Chicken Soup for the Soul, writing for another anthology, etc. etc.

And because I'm in such a Mojo-Mode of Muse...I'm wackier than ever!


http://boscafelife.wordpress.com/bos-cafe-life-contests/

http://www.penwrights.com/Home

http://www.writing-world.com/index.shtml

http://www.tennesseewilliams.net/article.php?story=2012-1actplaycontest

http://www.bookcatcher.com/

I found these various Writerly Links in the past few days, and I apologize for not explaining what they are, but you'll find out as you click on one after another and arrive in a new place!

Happy Friday, everyone! 

 

" The question isn't who is going to let me; it's who is going to stop me." -- Ayn Rand

* I WONDER *

Today's "I Wonder" is all about writerly things!

First of all, the hugely talented Mr. Robert Brault has a special request. If you don't already know who he is or what he writes, then do not hesitate....run, hop & jump right over to his blog by clicking on the link below. 

 I Wonder: How many hundreds/thousands of letters can we generate?

http://www.robertbrault.com/2011/07/appeal.html?showComment=1311909485319#c5676262546187323761


On July 8th, I posted about trying to write two stories for Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and have them submitted by the 31st. I am very pleased to report that I have indeed sent two stories and have a third one that will probably be ready to submit before August 7th, which is the deadline.

 I Wonder:  How many of you will submit a story or more? If you're afraid....don't be! You can't be published, if you don't submit something!

Addendum: I just checked the website (7:20 am CDT) and quite a few new books have been added! I don't think they were listed yesterday, so the site has been updated with a few deadlines having passed.  Click HERE to go straight to the page of new books, new deadlines! Good Luck!

2nd Addendum: It's now 1:30 pm CDT and I recently received a new Call Out for Submissions e-mail from Chicken Soup concerning the deadline for the Caregiver book. It's been extended until August 31st. That is a good sign for those of you wanting to send something, because it means they haven't rec'd enough quality stories. So sharpen up those pencils, crack those knuckles and get going!! ☺
I also noticed that Thin Threads  has Calls for Submissions on their anthologies. I highly recommend them, too. Look at the two books below with the nearest deadlines! Oh my gosh, I just have to write something for the Pets & Companions book! I'll be burning the midnight oil Saturday night, I think!

Thin Threads of Pets & Companions - July 30th, 2011
Thin Threads of Babies & New Parents - September 30th, 2011
 If you go to their website, you'll find other upcoming books that don't have deadlines yet.

I Wonder: How many stories can be written in a few days? It depends on the author! It takes me many drafts just to write a short 900 word essay! Others can think, type, and submit within mere hours!

"Failure? I never encountered it. All I ever met were temporary setbacks."-- Dottie Walters