Meanwhile...

Meanwhile...
I love all creatures. I consider them, all of them, to be sentient beings... I write thrillers, fantasy, mysteries, gothic horror, romantic adventure, occult, Noir, westerns and various types of short stories. I also re-tell traditional folk tales and make old fairy tales carefully cracked. I'm often awake very early in the morning. A cuppa, and fifteen minutes later I'm usually writing something. ;)

Sunday, March 31, 2024

PLEASE BE CAREFUL!!! WATCH FOR BABY BUNNIES!!!...

***PLEASE BEWARE!!!... It is baby bunny season... Mama rabbits have their bunnies in nests just below the grass in lawns. The mammas cover their babies with a mat of grass only a few inches below the lawn surface so they're in great danger from lawn mowers and even burning of old weeds!!! (Years ago my daughter saved some baby bunnies from being burned alive in a trash pile!!! 😮)

The Philosophy Of Charles Schultz...

· The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the 'Peanuts' comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just ponder on them. Just read it straight through, and you'll get the point. 1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world. 2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners. 3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant. 4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize. 5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress. 6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners. How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish ... Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners. Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one: 1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school. 2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time. 3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile. 4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special. 5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with. Easier? The lesson: The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money ... or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

Thursday, March 28, 2024

"Another You," sung by The Seekers...

A New Suburbia...

Awww... The way the dog sees it...

Here's a little snack for you...

March 18, 2024... Popcorn (shown above) is an opossum rescued two nights ago in rough shape and really struggling to survive in this weather. Did you know it’s not uncommon for rehabbers to be able to handle and even hold a wild opossum? They are so peaceful and docile in nature and are some of the most amazing creatures we have worked with. While we are not recommending you attempt to pick up any wild opossum you come across, we would love to spread the true facts about these awesome guys and put a stop to the common misconceptions about them that often result in unnecessary cruelty. Here are just ten amazing facts about opossums you all should know! 1. They're Not Aggressive Even when confronted with a predator, they will use the infamous "playing possum" technique to appear dead and avoid an actual brawl. They can stay zoned out for hours, emitting a foul odor in order to further keep any bad guys at bay, but they'll never outright attack, even if they're baring their teeth. 2. They Rarely Have Rabies Unlike most other wild animals, possums are nearly completely immune to contracting rabies or passing it along. This is due to their natural body temperature being too low to maintain hosting the virus. 3. They Kill Thousands Of Ticks According to stats reported by the National Wildlife Federation, a single possum can potentially eliminate 4,000 ticks in one week thanks to their extreme self-grooming methods (either crushing or consuming the ticks burrowing in their fur). They also aren't susceptible to Lyme disease and therefore can protect humans from contracting it, as they rid an area of the real pests. 4. They Won't Destroy Your Lawn Or Property Unlike other nocturnal animals creeping around neighborhoods, possums won't destroy your lawn or property. If you happen to see one wander into your garage (a popular spot to see them pop up), and don’t want to share your space, simply leave a door open and remove any food that might have drawn them in. They'll eventually mosey on out without making a fuss. 5. They're True Survivors They've been around longer than any other mammal. Possums are often called "living fossils" because they've been able to survive on our planet for millions of years — over 70 million, to be exact, which really shows their ability to overcome adversity. 6. They Help With Waste Management They are not picky eaters. If it's edible, they'll eat it. Including commonly dining on animals struck by vehicles on the road (bones and all), which scientists refer to as "carrion." This basically makes them nature's most efficient waste-management team and cleanup crew. 7. They're The Only Marsupials Indigenous To North America You have to admit, it would be a shame if Australia were the only home to marsupials! Plus, it makes possums even more of a unique part of our natural environment. 8. They Get Rid Of Garden Pests They aren’t picky eaters when it comes to troublesome garden pests like slugs, beetles, and cockroaches, but they will leave the flowers or veggies you’re growing undisturbed. 9. They May Be The Key To Battling Venomous Snake Bites The venom of rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, and other dangerous slithery snakes that might be hiding in your yard has no effect on possums. Researchers have been looking into whether they can find the toxin-neutralizing strain in their blood, which could potentially be used to treat humans who have been struck by poisonous snakes. 10. They're Actually Quite Smart Possums tested with a higher intelligence than more domestic animals like rabbits, dogs, and cats — particularly when it came to finding good food and remembering exactly where it was to go back for more. Credit>Becky Zielinski

The Goose & The Puppy...

A man finds a goose that was shaking with cold stuck to a pole in Montana. As he got closer he realized, wrapped up in her wings, was a tiny puppy she was shielding from the freezing temperatures. We have so much to learn from the animals. Beautiful. (Both the goose and the puppy have recovered, were adopted together, and are doing well.)

Saturday, March 23, 2024

"Elvira Madigan," ~ Mozart Piano Concerto #21...

Elvira Madigan: Born Hedvig Antoinette Isabella Eleonore Jensen December 4, 1867 Flensburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Kingdom of Prussia. Died July 19, 1889 (aged 21), T̴singe, Denmark. Occupation Circus performer Parents Frederik Peter Jensen (father) Eleonora Cecilie Christine Marie Olsen (mother). Hedvig Antoinette Isabella Eleonore Jensen (December 4, 1867 РJuly 19, 1889), better known by her stage name Elvira Madigan, was a circus performer who performed as a slack rope dancer, artistic rider, juggler and dancer. She is best known today for her romantic relationship with the Swedish nobleman and cavalry officer Sixten Sparre. Their joint death caused great sensation and the event was described in song by, among others, the author Johan Lindstr̦m Saxon in a song beginning "Sad things happen", which gained great popularity...

Fall in love with being alive... ;)

Thursday, March 21, 2024

I'm so annoyed!!!...

How To Make "Heaven On Earth Cake"...

Here's how to make Heaven On Earth Cake: **Ingredients:** - 1 angel food cake, prepared - 1 package (3.4 oz) instant cheesecake pudding mix - 1 1/2 cups milk - 1 cup sour cream (or plain Greek yogurt) - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - 1 can (30 ounces) cherry pie filling - 1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip (or any other whipped topping) - 1 tablespoon roasted almond slices (optional) **Instructions:** 1. **Prepare the Angel Food Cake:** - Cut the angel food cake into cubes and set aside. 2. **Prepare the Cheesecake Pudding Mixture:** - In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant cheesecake pudding mix, milk, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), and vanilla extract until well combined. Set aside. 3. **Assemble the Cake:** - In a 13x9 inch baking dish, layer half of the angel food cake cubes on the bottom of the pan. - Spoon half of the cherry pie filling over the cake layer. - Repeat the cake layer with the remaining cubes and top with the remaining cherry pie filling. - Pour the prepared cheesecake pudding mixture over the cake and cherry layers, spreading it evenly. 4. **Add the Whipped Topping:** - Spoon the Cool Whip (or other whipped topping) over the pudding layer, spreading it evenly to cover the entire surface of the cake. 5. **Chill the Cake:** - Place the assembled cake in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours, or until set. 6. **Serve:** - Before serving, sprinkle the roasted almond slices (if using) over the top of the cake. - Slice and serve the Heaven On Earth Cake chilled. Enjoy! This delightful dessert is sure to be a hit with family and friends!

Monday, March 18, 2024

Yeah, ~ ;) ...

Sauerkraut, ~ the best!!!...

I've heard many people say they don't like sauerkraut. I ask them how they make it. "Oh, I just take it out of the can and heat it." Akkk. No wonder you don't like it!!!... 😖Here's how my German heritage family always made it: Rinse and soak sauerkraut till all the briny taste is gone. Fry kielbasa. Set aside. Boil potatoes. Set aside. Sauté sauerkraut in the kielbasa grease. Cut up the kielbasa, add to the sauerkraut. Serve with the potatoes. No matter how much I made there was never any leftover!!!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

"Billy & The Leprechaun"...

Re-told Traditional Celtic Tale: Billy & The Leprechaun... Now, the leprechaun is a very clever little faerie, a faerie shoemaker, actually. But, he only works on one shoe, never two. And, he likes to sit under the big leaves of the burdocks, humming or giggling to himself... Which is exactly what he was doing when a young man from Limerick came upon him. He grabbed the leprechaun by the back of his coat and lifted him up while the little shoemaker struggled and tried to slug him. "Lemme go!," the leprechaun screamed. "No!," the young man, whose named was Billy, replied. "I know you have a pot of gold hidden somewhere that you'll give to me to get your freedom!" "No! Ye can't have me gold, ye greedy fool!" "I know if I take my eyes off you you'll disappear, so I'll keep looking at you and I'll hold onto you till you tell me where your gold is!," Billy said. "Never! LEMME GO!" Yet, although he wiggled and wiggled the leprechaun couldn't get free of Billy's strong grip. Finally, he sighed. "Okay. Okay... If ye let me go I'll tell ye where I keep me gold." "No, you show me first, THEN I'll let you go." "Yer a smart lad, Billy. Alright, I'll take ye there." And, the leprechaun told Billy where to carry him, to a field of daisies. In the middle of the field the leprechaun told Billy to stop. He pointed to the ground at Billy's feet. "If ye dig down six feet you'll find me pot o' gold. Now, lemme go! And see, I'll tie me red garter around the stem of this daisy right over the spot so you'll know where to dig when ye come back with yer shovel. Okay?" Billy scratched his chin. "Alright, I guess. I'll let you go." And, he did. Quick as the blink of an eye, the leprechaun disappeared. But, Billy looked down at the red garter and grinned. He'd be rich. He ran back to his shed to get a shovel. When he returned to the field of daisies he threw down the shovel and started to swear mightily as he looked out over the vista of thousands and thousands of beautiful flowers. Every one had a red garter around it's stem. Billy thought he could hear the leprechaun laughing and laughing nearby. "Uh-uh-UH!!... Ye can't have me gold!"