** THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF THE SUN! **

 

I've been waiting to see a total eclipse of the sun my entire life & finally, here it was today, right where I live!

 

I had planned on attending an event a few miles away, where I would've received the special viewing glasses, and would've been able to feel the excitement and awe along with hundreds of others...but I decided it was just too hot and humid and that I better stay home. Ron and I DID see a total eclipse, though, similar to the one in the photo!! We just couldn't watch as totality approached, because of not having the glasses. And I believe it would've been fabulous to experience it with other people, but I'm not disappointed at all.

 

When it reached totality, as in the photo, that's when we could stand and stare at it without harming our eyes. It was quite a sight, but ended way too soon...only lasting about ONE minute! The areas it lasted the longest was approximately TWO minutes and 40 seconds.

 

 

I'm already thinking about the next nearby total eclipse. In only seven years - 2024!

 

 

Here's what's being said about IT!

 

On April 8, 2024, the shadow of the moon will once again completely block out the sun across the United States, this time from Texas to Maine. Portions of Mexico and eastern Canada will also experience a total solar eclipse. This will provide a second opportunity for people in the U.S. to experience one of nature’s most beautiful displays.
 

 

 

Blog friends, if you want to experience the 2024 eclipse with me, just give me about a year's notice, so we can make sure hotels are available....We'll be in nearby Illinois!

* NOSTALGIC SUNDAY *

IT'S TIME FOR ANOTHER "NOSTALGIC SUNDAY!"

I'm happy to say that I'm at home and I'm still able to work on my blog! I always used to use Internet Explorer, but I'm using a different one, and it seems to be the one I need to stick with. 

I haven't had "fun" blogging in a long time, but I hope to discover that joy again, and soon, like as in...Now! 

So, my nostalgic thoughts this evening are of past years when so many of us were blogging consistently...as many of you still do.

I always enjoyed the:

• Writerly blogs
• Tea cup blogs
• Photography blogs
• Food & Recipe blogs
• Humorous blogs
• Serious blogs
• Motivational blogs
• Etcetera!

I plan to be back soon, posting on my blog, and reading as many of yours as I possibly can. Have a beautiful, blissful week everyone!

All my crazy friends mean the world to me!

You know who you are! 💗

* I'M AT WORK, AND THERE DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PROBLEM *

     It must be my laptop at home....but it "works" for everything else online!!  &*$%#@

* BLOG UNDER CONSTRUCTION *

I'm changing the look of my blog and not quite sure if I like what I've done so far....

   Thus, the sign about my remodeling!

(I also deleted the photo of a room needing a complete remodel. I didn't explain myself very well when I first posted this at 3:27am!)

* NEW FOLLOWERS & BLOGS *

I'd like to say Thank You and Welcome my newest follower - Nick!

I clicked on your picture, Nick, and it listed the names of blogs you follow, but didn't list a blog of yours. Do you have one?

Has anyone else noticed that Blogger has changed in that way? We used to be able to click on a follower's photo, and it would take us to their blog. Voila'

And what if we don't remember the blog names of "older" followers?

I'm confused and confounded! I know....it doesn't take much, but still...this is something I'd like to know about. How can we find certain bloggers? How do we find the way?

                                     

* THE UPS & THE DOWNS...THE ZIGS & THE ZAGS *

As some of you know, the past few months/years have been a bit stressful in many ways, and yet every now and then, there always seems to be something to be completely ecstatic about.

My favorite online dictionary, http://www.dictionary.com/ always has a Word of the Day and yesterday's, June 7th, was one of my all time favorites: Serendipity.

Such an appropriate word! A couple of really great things happened to me this week...in fact, both on the same day: Tuesday, June 6th. My spirit would've been lifted by just one, but the two of them together were simply serendipitous! 😊

1) Tuesday I was interviewed for a part-time job, was hired, and I start next week.

2) And also on Tuesday, I was notified that a story I submitted will be published in the upcoming book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dog Really Did That?

I'm extremely excited about both, and especially the way they both happened....You know, those "meant to be" things?

The job came about because of a friend, in a zig-zaggy kind of way.

And, I haven't had anything published anywhere since 2013, and my most recent Chicken Soup acceptance was 2008!

Now, if I can just lose about 20 lbs. really fast so I can fit into my business casual clothes!

* MEMORIAL DAY *

In America, today is Memorial Day, 2017. 

Every Memorial Day I take time to remember why we celebrate. Many years ago, it was known as Decoration Day. That's because it was the day families and friends laid wreaths and other patriotic decorations on the graves of loved ones....those who died in wars.

Some men came home from wars, but many others did not. I am alive today because of one man that did not make it home....my mother's first husband. He was killed during WWII, and although that was heartbreaking for her and her two young daughters, my brother, Mike, and I wouldn't be here if that hadn't happened. A few years later, she met and married our father. When Mike and I were born, we already had an instant family....one that consisted of two teenage sisters for us!

courtesy: Becky Sept 2011
 at our friends' lake house

During our barbecues, picnics, and parties celebrating the beginning of summer, let's remember why it's possible that all of us are here today. 

I don't write a political blog, but I will say this, if you've never been to Washington, DC and seen Arlington Cemetery and/or the Vietnam Wall, you've missed out on a couple of extremely powerful sights that you will never forget...and you will surely have chills...




"I dream of giving birth to a child who will ask, 'Mother, what was war?' " ~ Eve Merriam

*this was a repost from 2014*

* HAVE YOU EVER? *

Have you ever posted pictures of your feet on your blog or Facebook? I've seen quite a few pictures of women's feet, nicely polished toenails, lying on a sandy, white beach, or on a boat, or deck....and they are so pretty!

And I immediately wonder....     

Have you ever seen such funny looking feet
 and toes in your entire life?! (yes, these are yours truly!)

Somehow I guess I inherited these crooked little toes (remember reading about my Aunt Grace in my memoir's chapter "Piggyback Toes & Coffee Can Spittoons" ?)

BUT, I don't think anyone else in my family can do such tricks as I can! Someone may possibly refer to my right foot in this picture as doing my version of the Vulcan Salute!

And because of these strange looking dactyls, I never wear open-toe sandals or flip-flops. Never! Because I would hate to scare little children. And I certainly don't want anyone pointing at my feet and laughing and/or shuddering!

It's a good thing my husband is not a "foot/toe" kind of guy...otherwise where would I be at this point in my life?? I shudder to even think about it!