Soon!

I will hit a milestone this week 

    As I sat down tonight this blog had 499,803 views!!!!

    Those are page views.

    Sure, some are people  landed on the page accidentally, but they count.

    I say that because people from Singapore seem to visit the site often, followed by UK and then US.

    I think the stats may not be quite accurate.

    But hey!!! I am not proud, I will accept them as valid and not demand a recount.

    Funny, I mentioned the ABC islands in a post and 2 friends are there now and another friend has that as a destination for a future  cruise.

    Am I the only one in the world who has never heard of them until now?

    Sure, I heard of Aruba, and Curacao, but not Bonaire.  Did not know they were the ABC Islands.

    I also watched The Way the other night.

    That has popped up in my life a few times recently.  A FB post from France noted that in Paris there are shells in the sidewalks pointing the way. Then I heard 2 of my relatives are planning on walking part of the pilgrimage this fall.  And I think someone in Rochelle just walked some of it, but I can't remember who.  If you know, please let me know so I can put them in contact with my family members that are going.

    I believe people should travel more.

    I know it costs mucho dinero, but the experiences you take away from a trip will last a life time.

    I was lucky.  When Julia moved to Switzerland  it opened a whole new world of culture, food, sights, history, and friends.  A n because she was living there, Jackie and I did not have the expense of lodging because we stayed with her.

    Honestly, I don't know if we  would have traveled overseas if she wasn't there.

    Sadly, I would not have known the wonderful world that is  out there. 

    Happily, I found it.

Peace and Love

6 more weeks?

The ground hog did or did not see its shadow today 

    That means we could have 6 more weeks of winter, or we could not.

    The whole concept took me down a rabbit hole!

    According to one article I read, ground hogs are also called wood chucks.

    So...

        How much ground could a ground hog  hog  if a ground hog could hog ground.

    Kind of loses its beat, right?

    Plus it is a tongue twister.

    Anyway, Ground Hog Day is also Candlemas. I had no idea what that meant, so I had to Google that.

    Seems it is an ancient religious holiday that falls about in the middle of the period between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.  (  In religious circles, Candlemas is the day Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem.  It's also the day you should take down the rest of your Christmas decorations if you have not yet done so.)  I counted the days, and it is about in the middle, about 6 weeks from each. About...not exact.

    Speaking of not exact, about 4 months ago I ordered a toilet seat.  I like to have one in reserve, because we hare hard on toilet seats.  Please don't ask why.

     Well, time came to put it on and I discovered we have a round seat. I bought an elongated seat. 

    Today I ordered 2 round seats.  I wonder if I can take back the elongated one since I have no receipt.  I will ask the  nice people at Lowe's if they will give a store credit or something.

    And there is a possibility I ordered 4 seats by mistake.  

    My problem is the bolts holding the seat to the toilet get wonky and the seat gets loose.  The replacement bolts don't fit the holes in the toilet seat, so there.

    Jackie has a doctor appointment in DeKalb/Sycamore tomorrow and we have several stops to make.  I like to bundle our shopping trips as much as possible.  I can pick up the new seat, or seats, then.

    My basement is looking  a little better.  I have a huge pile of "stuff I don't want but won't throw away because someone might want it or need it."

    Hopefully this year I will have the garage sale to end all garage sales.

    And win $1 billion in the lottery.  And go to a World Series game at Wrigley. And be at the Super Bowl when the Bears pummel New England,  Again.

    As far as I am concerned, all those things are possible if I have a garage sale.

    Because miracles do happen.

    Pitchers and catchers report next week!

Peace and Love

noted

 I wen through a lot of notes  today

    I have a tendency to make notes on the nearest sheet of paper.  Or any piece of paper.

    Sometimes it is a napkin, sometimes a scrap, but usually on my scratch paper pile.  I don't toss out misprinted or unwanted stuff.  Instead, I cut the sheets in half and use them as note paper.

    I admit, I have quite a stack of notepaper.

    I found one note that was "Jeremy Lin, retired from pro ball in 2012, playing in Japan."

    I did not Google that info to see if my note was accurate, but I remember the basketball player well.  What I don't remember is why I wrote that down.

    I also have a phone number:  497 123.

    I know!  That's not even a complete number!  On the note I wrote "phone. 497 123." No other reference.

    On the other side of that scrap is "Bonaire".

    I wrote that down after reading an article about the Dutch government being ordered to protect Bonaire from the ravages of climate change.

    Turns out, Bonaire is under the Dutch government and is part of the ABC islands...Aruba, Curacao and Bonaire.

    From the pictures it looks beautiful.

    And now I can toss that note.

    Also tossed:  a recipe for roast beef, how to make great bacon, and an address for Calhan Colorado.  No, I don't know why.  

    And it might not even by Calhan......I can't read the writing!

    At least the desk is a little neater.

    We still have not had a measurable snow since Thanksgiving.

    Our temperature tonight is 21 degrees, and a wind chill of 8.  Cold, but at least on the positive side of zero.

    Bob and Anita live in North Port FL and it is 34 there tonight.  That may not be the low this week.

    I saw pictures from a former student living in Georgia and her kids were sledding down a hill.

    And I'm thinking, maybe it is time to explore Bonaire.  Warm, dry, beaches, sand, water...everything you need to escape the winter doldrums.

    Alas, it's only in my thoughts.

    White Sox pitchers and catchers report Feb. 10 and the Cubs pitches and catchers report Feb. 11.

    That also helps warm me.

    I just get tired of cold, gray days.

    I need sun!

Peace and Love

    

swisher roo

 I don't follow high school sports

    We used to go to games when former students were playing, but that ship has long sailed.

    Friday night had 2 exciting finishes to local basketball games.

    Rochelle hit a game winning shot from half court as the clock expired.  And DeKalb did the same in their game!  Both bombs got net all the way.  The home fans went wild and the opponents were dejected and in disbelief.

    Ah, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat.

    Or as I say after walking bit, the agony of de feet.

    Jackie and I got haircuts today.  I no longer look like a bum.  At least my hair does not look like a bum's. It is neat and trimmed.

    Jackie's hair also looks cute, but she did not start out looking like a bum.

    Stopped at the museum for some hot chocolate as a fund raiser.  We did a Facebook live shot once they figured out how to do that.  I need to learn more about stuff I under use.

    For example,  my digital camera takes videos.  I have had it several years and never done. that.

    I can take videos with the phone, but I just feel like I am not using the full potential of either device.

    And I need to learn how to edit videos.  I know, it is easy.  Easy for you maybe, but way hard for me.

    I need someone extremely patient to show me how to do it.

    I also went to Julia's to help her by moving some boxes.  She is still being careful following her surgery, and I am thankful for that.

    I also took a FB quiz on the Beatles.  I answered 40 questions and had 93% right.  2 pf the questions I missed dealt with individual albums after the Beatles broke up.  I am weak on what individuals did.

    I read the Tampa Bay Area may get snow!  Holy crap, Mother Nature sure is messed up.  And the Csrolinas could be whomped by a storm.  Hopefully everyone is safe down there.

    Mean while, no snow here and the temps made it into the mid 20s

    I miss the snow but not the bitter cold.

    And I really don't miss the snow that much either.

Peace and Love

I drive the back roads home from Julia's.  Just some pictures from my drive today.

Moonrise over the cemetery

not me

I had a letter returned to me. today 

    Yes, I admit my tendency to reverse numbers can be a problem.

    And sometimes my handwriting is not the best.

    But, and I emphasize this, the return was not my fault!

    I wrote Nexstar Corporation.  They have many TV stations across the country.  For example, they have 2 stations in Rockford and 1 in Chicago.....WGN.

    I wrote asking that they allow WGN to be added to the Comcast line up.

    My letter to the corporate office in New York City came back today, marked unable to deliver as addressed.

    So I went back to  the corporate website and checked.  

    I have the address listed on the website.

    Either the postal service is wrong or a giant communications corporation has the wrong mailing address.  I could not find an e-mail except to the public relations department.  Maybe I will e mail them Monday.

    I play Wordle  most every day.  This week I had 2 days when I could not get the word.  2.  And I think it took all my tries on one or two of the other days.

    And on FB there was a quiz on 60s pop music.  I quit after about 15 questions and I only missed 2.  Both of them related to the Beatles!  How did I do that??  I love the Beatles!!  I listen to their music a lot.

    But I missed 2 questions.

    I am blaming it on the cold.

    And that is relative.   Talked to Bob and Anita down in Florida an and they were cold.  Temperatures were in the 50s.  They were expecting 27 degree windchills over the weekend.

    Iguanas will be falling out of trees like crazy, so watch where you sit you Florida people.

    Right now it is 10 on Rochelle, with a windchill of 0.

    After the past week, that is damn balmy.

Peace and Love

well, w'll, well

I should listen to Jackie more 

    She is always telling me to tie my shoes.  Mainly because my shoes are untied a lot.

    Tonight I went to move her into her chair.

    The move went fine until I plopped her down in the chair and then tripped on my untied shoelace, bouncing off the arm of the chair and hitting the floor with a loud thud.

    After checking my shoulder, arm, knee, hand and brain to make sure all were working, I rested a minute then got up.  By the way, getting up was a lot harder than going down.

    I  am not sure about the brain working.   But that is not due to the fall, just me.

    My one wrist hurts a little, but I have complete movement in all my appendages.  

    I did double knot my shoes, but after the fact.

    It could have been worse.  I could have fallen down the stairs or on the driveway.  In one case I would starve to death in the other I would be a frozen nugget.

    Since you have made it this far, I will update you on numbers.

    Going into tonight,  this blog has had 497,123 views, according to the stat site.

    I am astounded.  

    My goal with this little nightly message was originally to finish something I started.  Now,109 years later, it has become a part of my daily routine.

    And the purpose has changed.  I want to bring a little laughter into the world.  Yes, usually at my expense, but a laugh is a laugh.

    Thank you again for reading this, commenting, liking, or shaking your head at my muse.

    I am truly blessed by you allowing me into your lives.

Peace and Love

routines

 I have a semi regular routine

    I get up and get Jackie ready for the day.  When help is here, I have a little extra spare time.

    Usually I read the Tribune on line, play Wordle, check e-mail, and then get lost in the Facebook rabbit hole.

    Today, in the middle of reading the Trib, my eyes got real heavy, so I sat in my chair.

    The next thing I knew is I was being awakened because our morning help was going.

    I do not know how long I slept, but it was more than an hour.

    I went to bed at 11:15 last night, one of the earliest times I have hit ht hay.  

    I slept well....but the nap felt great.

    I am really tired tonight, so I hope I can get to bed earlier than 11:15.   Actually, I hope I make it that long!

    We had a little drama in the back yard this morning.

    A small hawk went after a little bird.  The bird went into the lilac bush, going in as far as it could.   The hawk, I assume it was a kestrel, perched on the bush but could not get at the little bird.  The hunter sat there for a few minutes, waiting, then flew off empty beaked.

    I wish it had gotten one of the thousands of ground squirrels that seem to be living in the yard.

    Birds are pretty smart to figure out that feeder is there, and that a feeder attracts prey.  

    "It's a dog eat dog world, and I'm wearing Milk Bone underwear"...........at least I think  that was one of the Normisms  I remember from Cheeers.  Might not be remembered correctly.

    Peace and Love