My Blogger Bud ~ Lin


Disclaimer: In a private e-mail I told Lin that I intended to write this review of her blog: Duck and Wheel with String. She responded, “Don’t go all sappy or anything.” Then she made me vow that I wouldn’t go at all sappy. I caved in, because you really have to [read that “must”] know about this blog
.


Lin is happily married to Joe. They have two children; Colin and Emma, who refused to be photographed for this blog posting. They were shouting something about never being able to go back to school and face their friends . . . Fair enough. This is really about the blogger that we know as Lin.

She describes herself as, “Almost always funny, some times opinionated, [I get a bit confused here] but never controversial, passionate or thoughtful. [?] I am a stew pot of adjectives and you’ll never know what you’ll get when you stop here. Good, bad, or indifferent–it is all spunky lil ole me.” At least that’s the way I seem to remember the way she said it. I seem to have lost my notes.


In their Chicago home, which is located next to a frog pond, live their two feline friends as well as the human staff. Grace Ann ran off with the human children. Hobbes had to show off for the crew from Secondary Roads. Turns out that Hobbes is a wannabe mountain lion. Okay, he’s still working on the roar, but he’s making good progress with the rest. The alternate theory is that he went out on a limb to get a bird on the suet feeder, but when the bird flew Hobbes had to treat it with disdain. I believe he wants to be a mountain lion.


All of this is overseen by Violet. Violet was the custom creation of a famous sculptor who must remain unnamed lest the Immigration Service should pay a visit.

A word of warning is in order here. Don’t ever call Violet an “ugly little statue.” Never do it. I did. Once. Later in the emergency room, the doctor said, “The good news is that we’ve stopped the bleeding. The bad news is that the scars are forever.” Now everybody say it with me, “Violet is beautiful and I LOVE her!”


In a recent posting, Lin wrote about the talent show put on by their Neighborhood Improvement Association.” She dressed in traditional Lithuanian peasant costume and performed the well-known Lithuanian rain dance. Lin was one of the early acts on the program. Unfortunately, the rest of the program was canceled because of heavy rains and thunderstorms that suddenly appeared out of what had been clear skies.


Meanwhile, back at the pond, the frogs laughed until they croaked.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! You can’t make me tell you the truth. Remember, I took a vow not to get all sappy. Boy was I dumb!

Bottom line: Visit Lin at Duck and Wheel with String and tell her that Chuck sent you. You’ll be glad you did. She’s really funny, witty, charming, creative and she writes a great blog. Don’t forget she’s from Chicago and knows some people who might come and pay you a visit. Better go there today.

I just hope I didn’t get all sappy. 🙂

What It Is & Misc.

On Tuesday, I asked you to identify the following:


Sharkbytes at My Quality Day nailed it first. Okay, it was on her second guess — but she had no feedback. It was strictly self-correction. I’ll host her badge on this blog as her reward. She said it was this:


You should identify the close up as being the mane of the lovely Belgian mare on the left. Her gelding harness mate helps her pull the sleigh at our church’s annual sleigh ride and chili dinner, which is held each January. It’s a lot of fun for everyone. And it’s good exercise for the horses.

Coming Attractions

Starting Monday, Sylvia will be our guest blogger as she shares a three-part story of her mission trip to Honduras. I’m looking forward to it, and I hope you come back, read and enjoy.

Sylvia’s new digital camera arrived today by UPS. We are learning how to use it. The UPS delivery guy also took my camera for delivery to the warranty repair service. We should soon have new photos for me to post.

World Builder

I found this on Kim Komando’s Website.

This computer-animated video features a man creating a world from scratch. But why would he do this? Who is he doing it for?

Bruce Branit created this award-winning short. The footage was shot in one day. But the visual effects took almost two years.

All that work really brought this world to life. Almost nothing in this video is really there.


World Builder from Bruce Branit on Vimeo.

Picture, Picture Tag

I saw this on In The Eyes Of The Beholder. Allena didn’t tag me, but it looked like so much fun I decided to pick it up and run with it. The idea is to search for images that answer the questions and then post them with the questions on your site and link back to me if you’d be so kind.

(1) Age at my next birthday


(2) Place to which I’d like to travel

It’s water polo season and my granddaughter swims for this team. Can’t miss that!


(3) Favorite food

It’s called pernil, or in English roast pork. Yum yum!


(4) Favorite place

Home! My office is behind those shutters.


(5) My nickname


(6) Favorite color


(7) College major


(8) Name of my love


(9) Hobby


(10) Bad habit


That was fun! Thanks for reading this far down the page.

I’ll tag:
Clara
Mikki
Lin
Jill
Justine
Ida
You — if you want to join the fun, please do.

If one of the questions bothers you, substitute another. Post images for answers and tag some friends. And most importantly, have fun doing it.

Thanks!

Supper’s On at Church

Kathy & Ken at their retirement party.


Wednesday evening services at our church used to be this way: The adults met in the church sanctuary for Prayer meeting. The young children met in the basement for their fun, crafts and lessons. The teens met at the parsonage. The three groups didn’t get together. That all changed when Kathy & Ken retired after careers in the US Postal Service. Ken had a rural route.

Kathy is a former Post Master, an organizer, leader of children’s ministries and very talented chalk artist. She’s also more than a little bit handy in the kitchen. Did I say she can organize?

Our church had just finished construction of our large fellowship hall. We held a retirement party for Kathy and Ken at the hall. Kathy wanted to start something new. Everyone agreed that it was a great idea. Many were willing to become a part of making it a reality.

Her idea has revolutionized Wednesday evenings for all of us. It works this way:
At 5 PM, Supper is ready. Kathy and her crew of volunteers have prepared it there in our commercial kitchen. It’s always tasty and nutritious. This week we had homemade pizza. Yum yum! Another time it could be meat loaf or scalloped potatoes and ham. There will be plenty of fresh fruit and veggies — even hot peppers for those of us who like such things. Garden salads are regular menu items. A variety of beverages are available. Don’t forget dessert. Leave a donation as you fill your plate. Thank you, that will cover the expenses.

You’ll probably see Carmen with her coat on and a large box in her hands. She heads for the door and her car. She’ll be back after she delivers some meals to our friends that aren’t able to get out to be with us.

Now find a seat at one of the many tables. If your friends aren’t already there, they soon will be.

For about an hour folk come in — some having just gotten out of work. We sit around the tables and the adults talk.

The children eat and are soon at play. In warm weather, they go out to the playground and enjoy the swings and slides and climb on the playscape under the watchful eye of an adult or two. This time of year they stay inside and soon the noise level increases.

One hears sounds of joy, squeals of delight, shouts of surprise, and once in a while, a yelp of pain. Someone has fallen. Mom, or another adult, comforts the fallen and makes sure they are okay. The play continues . . . Too soon it is time for the children to leave and go to the church basement for their special program. The teens head for the parsonage for their time together.

Already a crew of volunteers have been doing clean up of tables, chairs and floor. The kitchen crew is cleaning up their area. Other adults head to the conference room for Prayer Meeting and some stay behind for a Bible Study with our pastor.

We love to see visitors from the community come to visit us. They are welcome. So are you if you can make it.

Hungry? I am.

Enjoyment Where You Find It

Who says old folks don’t have fun? We do! If necessary, or when bored, we make our own fun. this came to me in an e-mail from a friend:

Joy (and enjoyment) is where you find it! Hope you enjoyed this laugh. Thanks Wendi.