Saturday 9 - Walk The Moon

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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Shut Up + Dance (2014)

1) This is about a man who meets the woman who is his destiny on the dance floor. Do you think we each have One Great Love preordained by fate? Or do you think life offers each of us many opportunities for romance?

I don't believe in fate because I believe that things are destined by God and planned by Him. However, I do believe that as humans we get off that track and can still find love in many instances in our lives. I just believe that it may not have been the one true love we were to experience. 

 2) Lead singer Nick Petricca says this song is inspired by a true story. He was all keyed up and his girlfriend dragged him onto the dance floor, insisting that dancing would cheer him up. Therefore he considers this song an "anthem to letting go and having fun." Think of the last time you really had fun. Who were you with? What were you doing?

In April when I went on vacation with my friends to Williamsburg, VA. We really had fun while we were there.

3) The dance floor incident that inspired this song took place in Echo Park, an LA neighborhood located near Elysian Park and Chinatown. Tell us about your village or city. Do the neighborhoods have interesting names?
Well, somewhat interesting names. Peoga, Gnaw Bone. I live in an area known as Spearsville and it is very small.  

4) Walk the Moon promoted this record by a performance on Good Morning America. Are you enthusiastic and energetic at 7:00 AM? Or do you hit your stride later in the day?I'm a farm lady so getting up early and being energetic is a usual day here. I remember that even as a teen, I liked to be up early. 

5) "Shut Up + Dance" is the biggest hit by Walk the Moon. The bandmembers met as at Kenyon, Ohio's oldest private college. Tell us about something that's old and revered where you live. 

Locally, there is a store near us that has been here since the early 50's and the locals seem to enjoy telling stores about it. The elderly lady that ran it just turned it over a couple of years ago and I sure miss her. She was 94 the last day she was there. 

 6) Walk the Moon took their name from the Police song, "Walking on the Moon." What's your favorite song by Sting and/or The Police?

I love the song "Private Eyes".  

7) In 2014, the year this song was popular, Robin Williams took his own life. What's your favorite Robin Williams performance?

Robin Williams was a true soul to all that he did. I believe that he gave whole heartily to all that he did in the years that he performed or acted. I believe that RV was probably by favorite, but Mrs. Doubtfire, Mork and Mindy, and Good Morning Vietnam were all excellent as well.

 8) Also in 2014, the Apple Watch was introduced. Are you wearing a watch as you answer these 9 questions?

No. I have never wore a watch much because I have always had small wrists and never could find a good fitting one. 


9) Random question -- You must create a coat of arms for yourself, representing your life and spirit. Which of these items would you place at the center: a heart, a sword, or a pen?

 I would place a heart and a pen intertwined at the center because I love to write.

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

I have enjoyed this week's theme and look forward to next week. I hope that these continue for awhile and I hope to make some new friends from here. 

A Zoo Trip- Indianapolis Zoo

This past Monday, my youngest daughter and I were able to take a trip to the Indianapolis Zoo with the grand doll and we had such a fun day! It was HOT and very humid. I believe at 11 a.m., the heat index was nearing 100 degrees, but we stayed hydrated and worked our way around to be in the cooler areas as the hot noon sun set in.

I was a bit disappointed as the zebras were not out for viewing and they are my favorite animal of all. However, getting to feed a giraffe with the grand doll was a special treat! One carrot slice, but well worth the line and her small tantrum to get to go out on the platform to feed.

 We talked so much about these guy. She is amazed at how tall they are and that they eat from the trees!

 This one was staring at the camera, so I made sure to zoom in and what a great picture of it's face! Aren't they beautiful creatures?

While my daughter and grand doll rode the carousel, I made my way over to the flamingo feeding just in time to catch them enjoying a nice meal of shrimp. They were walking near people just to get them.

 She certainly enjoyed her tiger ride and that seemed to be her theme for the day as you will see later on.

 Look at those long legs! It was amazing to us how deep the water that they were in was in their actual pen. I guess it needs to be deep to accommodate their height.

Little legs need to run off some energy so there are two nice play areas for the kids. One is for ages 5-12 and the other is known as the Tot Treehouse and it is for ages 2-5. I was excited that she was the only one on it and had time to run off some energy. She loved the tree house!!!

While waiting for the train ride located in the plains area, she wanted to take some pictures. She received a camera for Christmas last year, but Mammaw did not take it so I had to share mine. I must say she is not a bad photographer. 

Of course, you can't go to the Plains without seeing the elephants. They were fairly quiet, but we did see one eating hay out of the water. She enjoyed watching him use his trunk. 

Another favorite spot was the new monkey exhibit. Now, my oldest daughter wants a pet monkey so we have to be fully aware of all the monkeys. These were the newest addition and I must say that they are quite cute! These are Long Tailed Macaques. They were not active while we were there but it was hot. 

The lion truly interested her as well. While we were walking away, there was a talk about them and the gentleman working with this particular lion made him roar and so we said he was telling her bye. That was certainly a highlight to the day as she made sure everyone at home knew that it happened. 

Penguin's are another favorite for us. These guys look so adorable all the time. We talked about the movie Happy Feet while we were watching them. It was so cool in this building and a nice break from the heat and humidity. 

For my last photo on this post, I will share why I felt that she had a tiger theme for the day. Face painting was a MUST and she chose --  A TIGER

Isn't she the cutest? I kept telling her that we had to keep our dress down but she said her bottom was hot. How cute!! 

I hope you have enjoyed some of the trip as well. I would suggest that if you haven't been to the zoo where you live in awhile, take a trip. It can be such a great experience!!!

Farm Week in Review

Well, another week has come and gone on the hobby farm I call home and it has been quite an uneventful one, but lots of fun and now it's hot! Record shattering HOT because the humidity is becoming oppressive, which makes being outside almost impossible!

First of all, I want to say Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! My dad died several years ago and we were not close at all. I still think of him often and I am hoping to visit his grave soon. He was not a fun dad and life was at times horrid with him. In his later years, he mellowed some and he had a great relationship with my youngest daughter, which I am thankful for. It was too late for us to have a great bond though because some wounds never heal! I am thankful that my daughters have a dad that they can depend on.

Yesterday, I was able to go to a garage sale, which I love to do but rarely find time. I hit the jackpot too!! I purchased a set of three Paula Deen pans with lids for $5.They are red with gold trim and absolutely beautiful. I bought a few other things too, but those are the deal of the day as they will be going in my new camper, which I hope is home this week.

Yesterday was hay day. Why is it always the hottest day of the year? I just assume that someone doesn't think that out well. Luckily, my husband always gets help and I never have to be the one to do it. I have thrown some hay in my day and it is not a fun job. It is work!! It is hot work even when the weather cooperates!

Thursday, we spent time clearing weeds from the garden. It's a small garden but I swear the weeds take over so quickly. I hate to see the time my daughter's boyfriend will spend weed eating this week. He does it usually and my husband mows. It works out great but with three houses and yards and over 30 acres to take care of, it can be a chore.

These are three sweet ducks that now are kept in a large dog kennel to keep them from being prey to what has now killed our beautiful turkey and an entire nest of eggs that we were waiting to hatch.  Most likely a coon that done that and a coyote that killed the turkey, but you never know here. 

In the grand doll's world this week, we have learned the letters A and H. We have also learned Hickory, Dickory, Doc. She seen the doctor this week and we were advised to give her children' Ibuprofen for her legs as she complains that they hurt after she has played awhile. She had grandma in her pool this week and that was fun, but we were both a little sunburnt. 

Saturday 9

Cat's In the Cradle (1974)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song began as a poem, written by Harry's wife Sandy before the couple even met. Have you ever tried your hand at writing poetry? 
I remember having to learn poetry for school and I never truly liked it. I am starting to teach the grand doll rhyming words now. It's a beautiful thing to read, poetry, but you must be special to write it. 

2) The lyrics include a reference to "The Man in the Moon." The original Mother Goose rhyme ends: "It's time for the children on earth to think about getting to bed." Do you remember what time your childhood bedtime was?

I am not sure we had one, but I am sure most times it was by 10 p.m.

3)  When did you go to bed last night?

Around 11:30 p.m.  about normal here

4) In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed the proclamation that made Father's Day a holiday on the third Sunday in June. Can you name all 45 Presidents? (No, you don't have to list them here.)

No.  I am sure that I could come up with most if I study on it long enough but not in order for sure. 

 

5) Since Sam's father is particular about his Cole Haan loafers, her Father's Day present to him is always a DSW gift card. Who on your gift list is especially easy to buy for?

 

The easiest would be my husband because he will want something fish related. 

 

6) Sam's father is a voracious reader. So much so that the local librarian knows him on sight and by name. When did you last visit your neighborhood library? 

  I was there last Saturday and I will be there today.

 

7) Back when Sam was in high school, her father gave her driving lessons. Do you consider yourself a good driver?

 I do consider myself a good driver other than other drivers make me angry. I have never wrecked a car and the accident be my fault. 

8) He is a stickler about car maintenance and reminds Sam to check her car's air filter regularly, because a dirty air filter can reduce mileage. Share your own car maintenance tip.

The hubby is a mechanic so all of that is up to him. I do check oil and other fluids regularly. 

9) Whenever he fills up the car, Sam's father also stocks up on his favorite candy: LifeSavers. So Sam is celebrating Father's Day by giving everyone a roll. Would you prefer Wild Cherry, Butter Rum, Winter Green or Peppermint? 

 

Ohhhh....   Such an easy answer       BUTTER RUM!!!!!!!!

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Branson, Missouri Hidden Gem For Kids

A few months ago, our family went to Branson, Missouri for a few days. Since the grand doll went along we had to find some things for her to do. Being two, at the time, it might have been a challenge, but it was not. She did go play putt-putt with mom and dad and we toured the Top Of The Rock Museum, which had a few exhibits that look like dinosaurs or that we could say was a dinosaur and she enjoyed it. As we were searching for things to do with her, we heard of the Branson Dinosaur Museum a small, tucked away museum that was the gem of all of the trip for her. A dinosaur museum and admission was only $10 for adults. Win, Win for us!

Now, she loves dinosaurs! She was so excited that she wanted to run to the door. The museum is tucked away behind a toy museum, but there is still traffic so no running to the door. The museum was not something I was looking forward too, but I must say that it was a nice, relaxing moment and I am glad that we went.

The museum simply has life size statues of dinosaurs and some signs to tell a bit about them. I believe that there around 50 replicas of dinosaurs at the Branson Dinosaur Museum and it is the right amount for what we needed. There is a small film that I believe you can see at the end of the self-guided tour and a small table where kids can " dig" for dinosaur bones.

 Here she is checking out some dinosaurs on her own. She was so excited!

 She was thrilled to see the "baby dinosaurs". They were " so cute".

 Her mom and some more dinos!

 Telling mom all about the dinosaurs. ( above) and digging for bones(below).

I highly recommend if you have a small one that loves dinosaurs that you must stop here while in Branson. It was a favorite and she asks daily to go back! Planning a trip soon I hope!!

Thirsty Thursday

WELCOME ! It's almost the end of the work week and I decided that I would share a recipe that a friend of mine shared with me last week. It's going to be hot here today and tomorrow and we all know it is important to stay hydrated, so this Strawberry-Pineapple Cooler is the perfect late afternoon thirst quencher. 

I am usually an iced tea drinker and I rarely stray from that other than my coffee, but this was a treat. I could not find strawberry sherbet so I used the rainbow sherbet that I had on hand, but it was still tasty!

Yield: 6 tall glasses

Ingredients

• 10 ounces frozen strawberries
• 20 ounces crushed pineapple
• strawberry sherbet (1 pint)
• vanilla ice cream (1 pint)
• Club soda

Instructions

1. Place half of the strawberries, pineapple, sherbet, and ice cream in a blender and blend for 1 minute or until smooth.
2. Repeat with the remaining half. Stir the two batches together in a large bowl.
3. Serve by filling a glass 2/3 full with the mixture, and then slowly add club soda to the top. Give it a small stir with the straw before sipping.
4. Optional: garnish with a pineapple chunk.