Have Fun Storming the Castle...

 

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Happy Memorial Day

       What did the Brick and yours truly do on this special holiday? We made a trip to Alamosa to get more parts for the deck steps, and use up what was left on the food debit card from Devoted. (City Market had a bunch of marked-down veg and meat, and were offering 10% discount to veterans. Which the Brick is.) 

      It rained, a little. We've been gulping down episodes of Netflix's The Night Agent. And now it's back to reports -- I really need to clean these out completely before May ends.

Meanwhile:

Secrets behind Steven Colbert's show -- including a dome, chandelier and stained glass hidden for decades until Colbert stepped in.

Weird things that happened at funerals.

Some very funny -- and ???? -- photos.

The girl who lived in an attic -- before she hit the big-time.

Do you really have to replace your underwear every six months?  The Frugal Girl's take on this. (Frankly, I rarely believe the self-titled 'wellness experts,' anyways.)

The "man in the red bandana" gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And this 9/11 hero deserves it. There's an interesting reason for the red bandanna -- don't miss this. And:

Other heroes of 9-11 -- many of them unsung.

Athletes who cheat.

Have a good week.

Memorial Day

Do You Think They're Listening?

 

Yumm...

 

It happens...

Breathless

 

I'd laugh harder at this, if I didn't know about one of  'composer' John Cage's performances.

 He sat down at the piano...and did absolutely nothing for the rest of the piece.

Then he stood up and bowed. And the audience clapped!!

Meow (said seductively)...and Updates

 

A touch of flu. Cold, blustery winds. A rush to cover up the plants at night from 30+ degree temperatures. 

(The tomatoes got glass jars, thanks to The Prudent Homemaker.)

The hummingbirds are going nuts, trying to slurp up enough nectar

 before the rain starts. (Or snow.) 

And the clouds are moving in. 

80-some temperatures last week? A wry memory.

As I said before... 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Hot, Then Cold, Then...

      We had deep summer temperatures all last week. This week, we're supposed to get freezing rain and icy temperatures. Since I planted a bunch of stuff, that means covering everything up at night -- every single night -- and hoping for the best..

     Welcome to Colorado.

Meanwhile:

She's 101; he's 100. They just celebrated their 80th anniversary. Congratulations!!,  (And that's what you get, Buddy, for marrying an Older Woman.)

'I think we've held it together pretty well and had a wonderful family, so I'm most proud of my children and also our lasting love,' Jennifer told ABC 7 News.

Dozens of piggybanks found washed ashore in Texas.  Weird, huh...

A vintage UFO report -- from our neck of the woods. 

Buffy Sainte Marie stripped of yet another honorary degree, after her loudly-proclaimed indigenous status comes into question. 

Odd celebrity wills.

A Norwegian hiker finds a 1500-year-old gold scabbard...under a tree!

More than 100 left-handed celebrities.   (Not a celebrity -- but I am left-handed.)

Showing off before you hit the finish line. What happens next?

Embarrassment for a lifetime.

Rachel Dolezal has skin cancer -- probably, she thinks, from over-tanning her fair skin. (Yes, the Caucasian woman who masqueraded as black for decades. Go figure, huh.) In other interesting news, she's announced that she's close to certifying as a sex coach. Wow.

Best-selling treats at the world's oldest candy shop.

All I can say is... awwwww.

Have a good week.

Bzzzzzz....

 

Husbands...

 ...Ya gotta love them.

After a phone call to his big brother, lasting at least 30 minutes:

I asked the Brick, "What did you talk about?"    "Nothing."

This happened to me on Mother's Day.

I couldn't gripe, because 1) I'm not his mother, and

2) I said not to buy me anything. (He didn't.)

Happens a LOT.

"Darn tootin', Daddd...where are MY kisses?"

The Brick has decades of experience as an engineer. He worked with the girlies on math, but also taught them shortcuts-- which made their teachers mad. 

(I suspect it was because they didn't understand them. I certainly didn't.)

I love you anyways, Sweet Baby.

White Nights

 I know I've mentioned this before, but it's worth repeating.

One of the most amazing duos -- by Gregory Hines, considered one of the world's best tap dancers, and Mikhail Baryshnikov, considered one of the world's great ballet masters.

They paired for this dance in the 1985 movie White Nights.  It almost looks impromptu...but it isn't. 

Enjoy.

So There You Go...

 

I'm sure the aliens had something to do with it, too.

Sounds Familiar...

 

We have an exercise circuit around the couch, then sprinting around the dining table. Rinse and repeat. We call this a circuit on the "Ruby Memorial Freeway," after our beloved curmudgeon. 

So far, the record is 13 laps, but 2 or 3 are common. 

Ruby -- our gem of a dog. Charley's in the background.

Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Mother's Day

      After a whirlwind few weeks -- a funeral in Kansas City, a cousin and a birthday, working on the deck, dogsitting and trying to get work done in between -- Daughter #2 and Son #1 took the Brick and myself out for lunch at Calvillo's, our favorite spot. It was great! True to form, we included a visit to Walmart afterwards. (Hey, they needed stuff.) 

      I have several perennials, a few tomato plants and some dianthus to put in the ground. Other than those exciting duties, it's going to be a quiet week of working and planting. Plus, based on the forecast, maybe some rain. 

     We're looking forward to it. 

I don't do this...or do I? At any rate, it's still funny.

Happy Mother's Day to The Mama -- I love you. See you soon.

Meanwhile:

A network of underground tunnels -- underneath Bloxham, an English village! These had been rumored to exist for years, until a builder had a collapse that revealed a 130 ft. tunnel. Others have been found. Age?  Could be at least two hundred years old -- or even from the Medieval period.

A FIVE POUND Ruby -- discovered in Myanmar.   That translates out to 11,000 carats!

A Bigfoot classic Gentle Readers have been resurrecting.

Pieces of America's past that have survived...nicely.

A snazzy hotdog trick -- I need to try this!

A retiree explains how he and wife keep their expenses covered...while heavily relying on Social Security.  (Don't let the scary headline fool you -- they're doing much better than the title suggests.)

Uncle Moe died...my beloved Auntie Moe's husband. He (and she) are greatly missed.

Ted Turner died last week.  What a guy.

Why Kim Kardashian is 'temporarily' giving up her plans to take the California bar exam. 'Just for now,' she explains. Maybe failing it three times has something to do with her decision, too?

Have a good week. If your mom is still around... give her a call.

And I'm probably one of them...

 

Snow... And Sun!

     In typical Colorado fashion, we had freezing temps and snow yesterday...

     And warm sunshine today. 

     Welcome to Colorado.

Cousin Phil is here for a visit. He, the Brick and Son #1 are working on an extension to the back deck. They're also adding steps to the ground, about 15 feet down. It will be a lot easier to work on the garden beds down there. Eventually we'll put in a dog door, so the pups can let themselves out, instead of us doing it at 4 in the morning. 

 (Those of you with young dogs know exactly what I mean.)

The guys worked in snow yesterday. Today, they're sweating. Go figure.

And thank you so much, God, for the extra moisture. We really needed it.

News From the Met Gala...

 

And plenty more where that came from...

Ummm...

 

Monday Stuff on the Way to Other Stuff: Driving, Driving and More Driving

    That's basically what I did for two days (11 hours each way), plus my aunt's funeral in between. Got back very late Sunday night. The Brick had to stay home to keep a dogsitting commitment, but I had the pleasure of Cousin Phil's company all the way home. 

     It turns out he enjoys pioneer history, too. We stopped a few times at landmarks of the Santa Fe Trail: ruts left by the thousands of wagons that journeyed up and down, including Charlie's Ruts. Fascinating. 

     It felt a little strange to see lines that had been there for hundreds of years, and know that other eyes had seen these plains and hills -- and wonder how they were going to make it.

I get to stay home this week -- it's my turn to cover dogsitting chores while the Brick and Cousin work on our back deck. Reports to work on, too.

Meanwhile:

This celebrity had to sell everything just to get out of debt, after his company was defrauded. But he and his wife did it, and now they're thriving. He says: 

"I am where I am BECAUSE of this woman. Brothers Bond Bourbon is actually here today because of this woman. I was able to start my life over because of this woman. Needless to say it’s been the most eye opening and truly humbling experience."

A Chick-Fil-A employee almost gets away with stealing $80,000...by charging, then refunding mac & cheese orders! 

Do you REALLY think the side effects from a Covid vaccine that was hurry-up tested were nonexistent -- or just minimal?

Recycled art. In some very cool ways. Including this piece:

Easy kitchen hacks.

Cruise senior boo-boos.

Crazy finds from Goodwill bins.

King Charles' speech to Congress. English major types, take notice: he referenced two writers in his comments -- including my buddy!  His Royal Highness made some funny remarks during his visit to the States, including a cheeky admission that Brits had done some 'redecorating' of their own to the White House. (He meant the War of 1814, and soldiers setting the White House on fire. I guess you could call it that...)

Have a good week.

'Nuff Said.

 

Famished

 

Tell that to Bo and Tiger...

"I'm starving, Mom... I tell ya! See my ribs sticking out?"

Frugal Hits & Misses: April Report

      If April showers bring May flowers, we're not doing too good.

      It has been a very dry month, with occasional rain/hail -- but 'not enough to spit at,' the Mama would have said. The mountains got more than us...but this is the country's largest 'alpine desert.'  We always need more. I did keep the rosebush and some baby greens from freezing -- we've had temps down into the 20s at night. Luckily, the daffodils by the front porch have been blooming their heads off.

      We are definitely better, healthwise -- but need a lot more sleep. Does this mean our bodies are still healing? I still notice 'crackly' noises while breathing, and run out of steam easily. Give it a bit more time, and I think we'll be stronger in coming weeks. 

FRUGAL HITS

(Some of these were from late March. This is a few days earlier than I normally submit -- but I have some commitments to finish up.)

*The Brick paid $3.52/gal for gas, using the Love's app.   (Normal price around here:  $3.76-4.00/gal. It would have been even worse for diesel.) Another visit, I got $3.50 a gallon.

*Went without a second vehicle -- or no vehicle -- for a few weeks. The Brick took the Highlander off to play music with friend Bert for a few days...and the kids borrowed the truck to return the skidsteer and bring some items back, We also kept granddog Freya for most of the month, while they worked. Considering we only had one vehicle - the truck - for years, this was a terrible burden. (Limp hand to forehead.)

Freya and Tiger Bear

*Found money:  one dime in the City Market Coinstar machine, and $1.75 in quarters and dimes, left in the truck's ashtray by the kids. (Keep the change, they said - it was "truck rent.")

*Two sessions at our friends' house, on dogcare and giving shots. (They threw in dinner and supper -- thank you!) We're taking care of the dogs now -- see the May report for more.

*Played and sang at church.  Refreshing to be there, after being sick or gone for so long. While I was there, I checked and restocked the Little Free Library. 

*Five meals out -- in one week?!? Took friends out for Sunday dinner (Mountain View - meal #1). Monday, had lunch with a new friend at Lu's Cafe (meal out #2). Then a few days later, other friends for supper at our favorite Chinese place, Wonderful House in Trinidad: great food, good conversation, and three (count 'em) meals from leftovers. (meal #3) Then we went to a concert at Lu's (meal #4 out), and saw the Michigan/Arizona game at Chili's (meal #5) on Saturday night.  Ridiculous, but tasty.

*Finished a big batch of appraisals, including a huge job I've been working on for months.

*Royalties from Arcadia, for Ghosts & Legends and Colorado Curiosities...always welcome! 

*Gave away a few books. Of my own, that is. No books were purchased online, except a housewarming present for a nephew.  (This is incredible for me -- but hey.)

*Amazon sales:  Dewart cordless drill kit for $147, queen sheet sets for $17 and change each -- plus free shipping. They sent 2 two-packs of flashlights, by mistake. (I only ordered one.) Keep or donate the other one, they said. Thank you, I'll keep it! Gave one to Daughter #2, and kept one. I also ordered some clothes, including a Spanx for nearly 50% off. (If you don't know what that is, male Gentle Readers, you don't need to know.)

*Spent our Devoted allowances for OTC products.  Our Medicare supplement plan gives us $60 each every three months to spend on Tylenol, cold medicine, etc. It's the same as the  $58 grocery card, though -- if you don't spend it, the money disappears. (We ordered one day before the deadline.)

*A $50 giftcard for doing a Zoom wellness meeting with Devoted. This is our Medicare supplement people. Maybe got my $10 gift card too, after all. The Brick did a Zoom meeting, as well, and also got a $50 giftcard. This will cover gas for the next month.

*Saw Michigan (barely) beat UConn for the basketball championship. Well done, Blue!  (Had the $10.99 Three for Me combo at Chili's while we were watching.) The Brick found an app special that let us watch one hour daily during March Madness games...so we saw part of nearly all the Michigan games, at least. 

*Two separate trips to Colorado Springs, Golden and Castle Rock.  The Brick had a daylong commitment for COS (Convention of the States) during the Republican primaries; I had three appraisal sessions. One person stayed home with the dogs, while the other had a very long day...but it worked. 

*Bought a few more shares of Red Robin stock.  After the doldrums, it's gone up in value. And down. And up. Go figure.

*Discovered a new discount outlet!  Our friend Bert has been raving about My Bargain Mart in Colorado Springs for months. Both the Brick and I stopped there recently, and it was fun, albeit a little scruffy. Essentially it's a big warehouse, with dusty corners and shelves full of who-knows-what. "The Amish grocery store on steroids," the Brick says. We'll be back.

*Grocery deals:  Marked-down salad kits; roma tomatoes, 82 cents/lb (Walmart). Two free pounds of butter, with more butter at $2.49 each (I got 7 total); 99-cent pineapples; red mesh bag of several limes, $1.50; 3-pound bags of mandarin oranges, $2.49-2.99 (City Market/King Soopers). Large Snickers bars for 72 cents each (Amazon). Canadian cookies (99 cents each) and presliced ham, approx. $1.25/lb; big cans of mixed almonds/cashews/pistachios for $3.99; 99-cent loaves of Pepperidge Farm bread, including cinnamon raisin, Jewish rye and sourdough, as well as BOGO bags of hotdog buns (My Bargain Mart, Colorado Springs) Cans of Pellagrina and apricot nectar, 20 cents each; Oscar Mayer chili-stuffed hotdogs, $1.79  (SLV Groceries). Two dozen duck eggs, from a friend at church: $10. These are richer than chicken eggs, and especially good for baking. 

Went through a TON of meat, thanks in part to the kids' new diet. (See below.) Finished off a barely-hanging-on ham, but couldn't find a replacement until the Bargain Mart. (City Market, bless their li'l hearts, were totally out of ham when I stopped by. They rarely keep weekly specials in stock.) Got a big batch of meat sticks from the Amish grocery store, as well as Amazon, for all four kids.

     (Have you noticed how much rice prices have gone up? In Colorado, at least, they're roughly 75-100% higher per pound than a few years ago.)

*Booked a hotel room for Aunt Ruth's service.  (Saved a lot because the hotel didn't have a pool.) I plan to drive, and will meet Daughter #1 and Adopted Son #2 there. Eleven hours each way -- anyone need a ride?

*Thrift Shop Buys:  Pale blue suede shirt ($3), Easter teapot, $2.49 -- I couldn't help myself (PALS Pet Assistance Shop, Trinidad).  We met two friends in Trinidad, who were heading north to their summer home....with just enough time to stop at the thrift shop.

*Easter celebrated -- including the rabbit teapot, plus a dollar rabbit candleholder and plenty of cut daffodils. Instead of their usual chocolates, Daughter #2 and Son #1 got a wooden box of Alaskan smoked salmon. (No chocolates for Daughter #1 and Adopted Son #1, either -- they're also on a largely meat diet.)

Not the chocolate version -- but the bunny should be a bit wary right now.

*Freebies and cheapies: .a handful of Easter cards and a few oranges, handed out free at church. Plus two beautiful yellow roses. Two tubes of cinnamon rolls, from friends who came to visit. We found bags of Lindt chocolate truffles ($1.59 ea) to give to the ladies at church for Mother's Day. 

*Helped a friend move.  

*An incredible Excel bill: $6.69!  Plus a $40.42 bill from the Solar Garden people. Not bad for a month's worth of power during cold weather.

A Fort Garland postcard -- from 1910! $7, including shipping

FRUGAL MISSES

*My truck key is not working properly.  It often refuses to start the truck. Is it the battery? Is the key defective? Or is the truck pouting because we haven't been using it much, now we have the Highlander?  I'm not sure I want to know. (Update:  the Brick ordered a new truck key -- approx. $70.) The Brick tells me that both vehicles need an oil change -- which in the truck's case, means $300 or so IF he does it himself.

*Property taxes are paid. I figured out a way to use our regular deposits, plus the money from royalties and a few unexpected checks, to cover the bill. That way, our savings account could continue to earn the extra interest. (Our regular account earns just pennies.) The sting hurt just a bit less that way. 

     Nonetheless. And of course, there are:

*Income taxes.  These are paid, too.  A tiny $50 refund, thanks to Tabor, but that's better than owing anything.

                  More than that, actually.

*Tiger's (and probably Bo's) latest snacks:  A container of driveway salt chewed on. (Fortunately, they didn't get sick.) Plus the handle of a dustpan, Blue Moon cardboard box, discarded outdoor plastic  hood (aeration), one of the Brick's socks, empty plant containers, etc. And for dessert:  a sponge mop. (sigh)  No pee or poop accidents, though Freya contributed some minor throwing up.  Shit happens -- literally.

*I got a mammogram. It was necessary...or so I was told. And yes, in spite of all the hospital staff denials, it did hurt. But now it's done.  'Nuff said.

Last month's report is here.   Last year's April report is here, plus the year before. Spring is coming -- just taking its time. If that means rain, bring it on!