Tell me something about you.....

1. When you were a child,  what age did you think was old ?

     When we were in the first grade, my friends dad passed away. Although he was in his
     30's, I thought it was ancient!

2. How often do you have dessert?

     One of the pharmaceutical reps brought lunch from Olive Garden today.
     I shared my piece of Tiramasu with my hubby!

3. What's your favorite kind of exercise?

     I like to walk around the water near the rec center close to our home.  We can
     see and hear all the birds and enjoy nature. Especially early in the morning. Sigh!

4. Do you watch movies on T.V., movies from a rental or the library, or movies on line?

   
     Sometime we watch movies on T.V. Occasionally the kids rent a movie but we watch
     old shows Like "I Love Lucy" and a few weekly favorites like "The Big Bang Theory"
     and Person of Interest.

5. Tell me something you remember from your grandmother's/grandfather's house. I'm thinking of    
     something you saw all the time, like a picture, a clock, statue, teapot, or something 
     that was always there.

     My maternal grandmother always had a bag of Kraft Butter Mints in her cupboard and because
     she was blind, she always trusted us to bring the bag to her without sneaking any. My grand-
     mother was my BFF and I am still saddened by her death nearly 46 years after losing her.

     My paternal grandmother had a picture of Christ and He was rising into the clouds, on
      Resurrection Day and the picture appeared to be moving upward. As a kid I was so
     fascinated with that picture!

     After my paternal grandmother passed away my grandfather had a little tiny tin can on his stove
     that had grease in it, and he cooked his eggs in that and recycled it! He lived well into old age
     and I adored him. He was an amazing man. He passed away in 1968 and I still miss all
     the wonderful stories he told me.

 This is a google image as close to the image in my mind of that little tin can with oil/lard in it.

Pre Lives

Steve Prefontaine was one of the greatest distance runners in  the USA. He died too young, in a car accident May 30, 1975. I often wonder what he would have accomplished had he lived. I love to watch old videos of his running and wanted to share my thoughts on the anniversary of his death.

To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.
Steve Prefontaine 

A favorite quote.

The Pre Classic has run each year since his death and I look forward to seeing it each year.

Since my own son is a runner I am dedicated to the sport. It is the one sport where people on the sidelines seems to share a common bond, a kind heart. So many other sports are so violent and aggressive that people become enraged when their "team" doesn't win it all! 

Another favorite sentiment on t shirts  regarding running:

"My sport is your sports punishment"

Steve Prefontaine was only five foot nine. As a child he said he had one leg shorter than the other . He participated in many other sports but had no success due to his small stature. Once he found running he fell in love with the sport.

Prefontaine won 120 of his 153 races (78%) and never lost a collegiate (NCAA) race at the University of Oregon.

At one time he held the American record in the seven distance track events  from the 2,000 meter to the 10,00 meter. An American classic gone too soon.

Pre Lives in the hearts of those that loved and cherished him and in all the runners who strive to be like him.

I wish we had more guys like Pre in this world today.

Avocados, Bananas and Baked Alaska

For whatever reason I am tardy because I missed the Letter "A" last week! So as I was thinking of a good post I decided to combine A and B together! You may laugh at me, but I found the best recipe for banana bread. It has avocados in it! So once I make a batch I will post some pictures. The author of the recipe
says the avocado is better for you than lots of added oil or butter and it tastes very moist! I do love an avocado so I am going to try this. We are having some rainy days and it is windy now so it may be a good evening to bake!If only my aching head pain would go away! Stressful work day!

This bread has chocolate chips in it too. I think it will make a tasty treat! So while you are visiting Ms. Jenny I hope you will think about making some of this bread once I give you my review!

I bet you wonder why I added Baked Alaska? My mother use to make it for us. As a kid I delighted in the fire, making such a beautiful finish to this extraordinary  dessert! But having a spoonful of that delectable treat was so heavenly!

So my Avocados and Alaska go hand in hand with my bananas and baking! I hope you have enjoyed this bit of  fun for a Thursday evening. Go visit lots of others who share their favorites too!

WORDLESS WESNESDAY

RANDOM THOUGHTS AND THINGS ABOUT ANIMALS, GOD'S THOUGHTS ON ANIMAL ABUSE WRITTEN IN SCRIPTURE

1.) I read that country singer Miranda Lambert was sending two mobile Veterinary vans to Moore, Oklahoma. They will be able to treat the injured animals and place all the animals that have not been returned to their rightful owners for whatever reason. I also heard lots of pets found wandering about are chipped!

2.)  "A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel." Proverbs 12: 10

3.)  Recently in Colorado, two separate owners have mistreated their animals. Several horses were being starved to death and were rescued and a property  housing donkeys were also mistreating these innocent creatures.

^{4.) 19} For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts ^[a]is the same. As one dies so dies the other; indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is ^[b]vanity. Ecclesiastes 3:19

Seriously, says Rose, who invited these dumb dogs to my party?!?


5.) Someone tossed a bag of  five puppies into a trash can. Four of the puppies survived and will be placed in the care of good homes. Bandit is chilling in his new bed. Thanks Andrew and Lyndsee and Sophie! Sophie outgrew this cool bed!

6.)  "The Lord is good to all, and His mercy is over all that He has made." Psalm 145:9

Stella Bella Boo! She is thinking, drat this basketball isn't as tasty as I originally thought it was!


7.)  We are having a nice cool breeze filter through our opened windows. Roxanne, stood in front of the window as the curtains moved and she growled a very fierce and ferocious growl! It was very frightening. She weighs in at a whooping four pounds!

8.) My friend Pat lost her buddy Bo recently. He was a pretty white cat like this google image I found. I bet Bo is walking over the Rainbow Bridge with my sweet boy Boots. Losing our pets are heartbreaking. R.I. P. sweet Bo!

9.)  Fourteen long months ago my best pal Boots moved over to the Rainbow Bridge. He was such a good companion. I will never forget his kind heart.

Once several years ago he walked over to my hubby and bit him soundly on the toe. I saw fur flying and curse words filling the air! When he passed away I asked him "Why in the world did you bite dad.?" He lifted his head one final time as if to tell me, "I just felt like it!" I know you are at peace my sweet friend. I will never forget you.

10.) "Cats are smarter than dogs. You can't get eight cats to pull a sled through the snow." Jeff Valdez

11.) "If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you; but if a cat does the same thing, it is because your lap is warmer." Alfred Whitehead

12.)  "There is no psychiatrist like a puppy licking your face."  Bernard Williams  A friend of mine lost her ex husband. It was quite a difficult  and harrowing situation he put her in. She said after he passed away she found a box of his clothing. Her dog walked over to the box, sniffed it, walked over to her, and covered her face in kisses. My friends, that is the definition of a true friend.

13.) Are you a fan of Garfield? Oh how I love that lasagne eating feline!

14.)  How about Marmaduke? This cartoon caption would be referring to our Stella. She is a shoe thief! No she does not eat them. She prefers to bury them under the covers!

15.) Tom and Jerry are my Saturday and Sunday morning habit! That darn Jerry is so wicked to poor ole Tom! That tom cat can never catch a break!

16.) My middle daughter, the recent college graduate had a passion for Scooby Doo! How about you?

17.) Do you have a pet? What is your favorite furry critter?

18.) Do you like birds? I love watching them. They seem so carefree and fancy free.

19.)  "Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.  Luke 12:6

  20.) "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” John 21:15

I had to share this for Tuesday Show and Tails with my friend Sandie! She is the keeper of this fun Tuesday meme since sweet  Angela took a break.

Love is...

Ah....time it races away from us! Just when you think you might have figured it out, you are way older than you were when you started this! Laugh Out Loud! Marydon shares her Love is...each week and you should come share with us too!

Today we drove to Pueblo and visited with phamily at the graduation party for my nephew Ryan. He is wearing blue in his poster and also has his blue jeans on! I thought I would share some blues for Blue Monday! So please visit Sally and share your blues.

Our graduate Rebekah was there with her dad. He has a navy blue USS Enterprise hat on and a blue striped shirt!

Nick and his dad also wearing blue!

My sister Mary (pretty in pink) and my son Jeremy always looks nice in blue!

Time to get some rest. Have a terrific week and a safe and beautiful Memorial Day!

Memorial Day Tribute: In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

(Dr). Major John McCrae 

May 1915 World War I

This beautiful and touching poem was written nearly 100 years ago!

Because of the Memorial Day weekend and the honoring of those who have and who are serving us I felt compelled to write this post. Our current government, both Democrat and Republic are living high on the hog and lying, cheating and stealing from the American taxpayer. They have no regard for any of us and arrogantly sit back and smugly do whatever they please. 

Meanwhile all over the world our troops are losing their lives, risking their lives and struggling to make a better America. My heart is filled with prayer and peaceful calm for these military and their families all over the world.

I would like to extend my most sincere sympathy for the loss of Lee Rigby, the 25 year old soldier from the United Kingdom who was brutally murdered yesterday. My heartfelt condolences to his family in their time of grief and absolute horrific loss.

Did you know that the poppy flowers grows only in the absence of other flowers? It also only grows in soil that has been turned!  When Dr. John McCrae noticed the poppies growing between the grave markers in Flanders Fields, he wrote this timeless poem.

The poppy is known as the "Flower of Remembrance" and is worn in memory  of our Veterans. I  know that this is a custom practiced in Canada also. They wear the poppy flower on November 11th in honor of their countrys "Remembrance Day".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!

Happy fifth birthday to Beverly and all the lovely pinkies that have spent the past five years sharing all their favorite pinks.

Whether you toast this fun birthday with a sparkling cranberry fizz or a glass of perfectly pink champagne raise your glass to Ms. Beverly and all the wonderful friendships made at Pink Saturday.

A Youthful reminiscing

I was going to write about yogurt. But I forgot to snap a photo! Hee Hee! We have a Yogurt Brothers shop not too far away from our home. So that was my dinner! But I was visiting Susan and she had a post up about carousels. It was so lovely that I decided to write a post  and talk about a favorite from my youth, carousels! Sigh!

 This is a photo from the Pueblo City Park Carousel. It was a favorite of mine growing up. It probaly cost a quarter to ride and standing there anxiously awaiting my turn, I prayed that one of my favorite horses would be available.

This beautifully armored horse is a regal ride!

This is Carousel #72 which currently resides at the City Park in Pueblo, Colorado. Originally it was set up at Lake Minnequa Park on May 24, 1914. When the park closed in 1939-40 it was moved to its present location. This particular carousel was made in Abilene, Kansas in 1911 by the C.W. Parker Co.  The number of carousels built in the USA can not be confirmed but it is estimated that between 4,000 to 6,000 machines and 80,000 hand carved animals/horses were produced in the dozen or so factories/shops that produced carousels and amusement related devices. with the Great Depression of 1929 ended the golden age of carousel construction.

In 1994 the National Carousel Association 's census states only about 165 of the all wood, hand carved machines were operating or were undergoing restoration. The state of Colorado claimed five of them. This lovely swan seat is at the Carousel of Happiness in Nederland, Colorado. It was made in 1910 . It is a Looff Carousel and was restored and costs one dollar to ride in Nederland, Colorado. It turns to the music of a 1913  Wurlitzer  band organ.

This lovely horse turns around at the Six Flags Elitch's in Denver. I have enjoyed taking a spin on this pretty carousel many times.

You can take a spin on this carousel at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo which is surrounded by the lovely sights of Colorado Springs including Pikes Pikes. The best way to enjoy the Zoo here is to take the shuttle up to the top and walk down. It is an amazing zoo and boasts a beautiful carousel.

 The Kit Carson County carousel can take you for a ride for a mere twenty five cents! That's right, one whole quarter and you can ride on this lovely restored carousel from the golden age of fine hand crafted amusement! The pretty carousel is located in Burlington, Colorado. This city is located on the high plains of Eastern Colorado.

This 1908 carousel settled in at the Lakeside Amusement Park and gracefully turns to delight many but sadly has no music. It costs about $2.50 to ride this grand carousel.

A real treat awaits you t the Denver Zoo. This unique carousel features the endangered species. It also features two chariots for those lovebirds who wish to cuddle together! This is  reminiscent of the golden days of carousels.

I will share a photo of the carousel at the Thornton Rec Center open spaces where we walk. It just opened on Saturday and I am trying to find its history for you here.  Most carousels that are restored from the early days of the 1800s to the 1920s are inside a covered area. I will check out the cost of riding that carousel and I will snap some photos when we go up there.

Now if you have thought of your youthful days and reminisced  about riding a carousel, you should find one near you and go for a spin! If you travel to Colorado we could ride them together! It would be a joyful time!