Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes...

What Are You Doing Here ?

2007-12-04T18:15:00.000-08:00

For the latest at Swampwitch's Asylum, CLINK THIS LINK

Must be a Full Moon Out

2006-10-21T00:42:00.000-07:00

Either that or the typepad bug bit everyone. Come check out my new digs. I have had it with globber and don't want to deal with it anymore.

Come see me! Don't forget to change your bookmarks and favorites.

Who knows, maybe I will join the Blogging Chicks next! Just hide and watch!

Mammogram: Peat and Repeat !

2006-10-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

I know you have seen this picture before but please keep reading. The text is different. In previous posts, I have urged you to make appointments for mammograms.

You may be afraid of having a mammogram. . . even if you've had one before. . . there is fear. There is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week, preceeding the exam and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test, and best of all, you can do these simple exercises right at home.

EXERCISE 1: Open your refrigerator door, and insert one breast between the door and the inside of the refrigerator. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible and lean on the door with lots of pressure for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat in case the first time wasn't effective. Insert the other breast and repeat these instructions.

EXERCISE 2: Visit your garage at 3:00 a.m. when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor sideways with one breast wedged comfortably under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Switch sides, and repeat for the other breast.

EXERCISE 3: Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Have the stranger press the bookends against either side of one of your breasts and smash the bookends together as hard as she can. Repeat for the other breast. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year to do it again.

They are now properly prepared !

Seriously, if it's time for a mammogram, run, don't walk, to your phone to schedule an appointment. It may be the most important phone call you have ever made. I am living proof.

Here are links to previous Breast Cancer Awareness Posts:

What Cancer Cannot Do (Poem)

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Be Informed)

The Day My World Changed (Black Darkness)

Mammogram (Photo)

Light at the End of My Tunnel (Life Goes On)

Inflammatory Breast Cancer (Video)

Bald is Beautiful (Swampwitch Revealed)

There are many links included in the above posts. If one person's life is saved because of the information read here, this has been worth every single minute of time dedicated to working on this blog (glob). Kathy :)

P.S. Men can be victims of breast cancer, too. Our daughter-in-law's father is a breast cancer survivor. It is important for everyone to do self-exams. If you notice a "bump," "lump," or any change in your breast, please see your doctor.

Rainbows by Brian*

2006-10-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

Rainbows. . .

Well, I had a rainbow picture that BloggerGlobber ate. It wasn't nearly as pretty as the one BarnGoddess posted. So, I decided to not let BloggerGoober get me down. Instead, here's another photo from one of our Babes' Fest get togethers. High school friends reunited after 35 years. Our hair reminds me of a rainbow.

And now, for the purpose of this post. Brian was kind enough to write a couple of poems in my honor of being a Breast Cancer survivor.

His comment came from "The Day My World Changed" post.

RAINBOWS - by Brian*

they stretch from side to side

a perfect arc of color

all shades are there

where ever you turn

young and old of all races

men and women dressed in pink

a rainbow of compassion

united in a common cause

Haiku - by Brian*

shaved skull mark of pride

fractured prism streaming waves

defiant pink stands.

This poem was written for the Bald Post.

Thank you, Brian, for always visiting and sharing your talent with us.

*Please visit Brian at Truth is Freedom to enjoy more of his writing.

For a spectacular photo of a double Rainbow, be sure to click on the link for BarnGoddess above.

Stay Tuned for Brian's Poetry

2006-10-19T17:15:00.000-07:00

Today's post was supposed to be Brian's poems and Rainbows from BarnGoddess.

But BloggerGlobber decided to have them for dinner. Chomp ! Chomp!

So, for now just enjoy the view from the Colorado National Monument and a bouquet of pink tulips.

Hopefully, the post will be up sometime later. Stay tuned for more chaos from Swampwitch's GlogAsylum.

Bald Is Beautiful / And The Winners Are !

2006-10-18T18:00:00.000-07:00

Be Prepared.
The photo below is a little bit scary !
Much worse than any 'moon' you have seen so far.
This is one of those random posts that appear here quite often.

SWAMPWITCH AT THE 'BARBER SHOP'

Top Ten Reasons for Having Chemotherapy and Losing Hair:

10. When driving to work, never have to wonder, worry, or obsess if curling iron was left on.

9. No gut-wrenching decisions about having a perm, getting a short cut, or wearing it long and wavy.

8. Gray hair? No problem. . . it no longer shows.

7. Can take on new personality according to wig and/or hat style and stay in character all day.

6. Fun and exciting to elicit startle responses by appearing in public with nothing on head except a bow taped on top.

5.Have a great belly laugh at being mistaken for Demi Moore (GIJane), Sigourney Weaver (Alien) or better yet, Andre Agassi.

4. Save money on shampoo and conditioners and spend it on hot oil head massages . . . body massages if there’s enough oil.

3. Can entertain people sitting behind you by drawing pictures or writing messages on back of bald head.

2. Get revenge at the hair-stylist who once over-charged for a bad hair cut by telling everyone she is responsible for this “new style.”

1. Have ample time to sit in front of mirror, watch hair, eyelashes, and eyebrows slowly grow back, and get priorities straight.

PART TWO of this Post:

What Is This Man Doing Contest # 3 Winners: DRUM ROLL Please

Here are the contestants:

I will post the real story about "What This Man is Doing" later this week but wanted to mail the prizes out tomorrow.

Because there were so many wonderful entries, I could not make a decision. I have decided to handle it this way:

The first 3 contestants named above to comment on today's post will receive a Barnes & Noble gift card or the glow-in-the dark commode lid. Name the prize you want to receive.

Please e-mail your snail mail address to:

swampwitch06atgmaildotcom

The other contestants may go here to claim your runner-up prize.

GlOB(e)AWARD

Congratulations and Thank You to all.

One More Day

2006-10-17T22:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's two-part post will stay up one more day until Ben has the opportunity to see it. Tomorrow's post will announce the winners of the "What Is This Man Doing" contest #3, and it will feature a bald Swampwitch---10 top reasons for having chemotherapy and losing your hair.

Hello to Our Son-in-Law in Iraq

2006-10-16T21:15:00.000-07:00

Please go to this link before reading any further.

Click HERE.

To those who are visiting here today, please excuse the personal post, but it is a promise I made to our son-in-law who is serving our great country and is stationed in Iraq. Please feel free to send him a message.

Dear Ben,

Here are a few pictures for you.

Here is the best picture I could get of the baby.

"It" is still a little shy.

Lucien Charles ?

Reese Elizabeth ?

Window Cleaner

Harrison has found a new way to clean the front window.

"Hi Daddy !"

Thanks to 21st Century technology, we are able to see you from the other side of the World.

The second part follows with a few more pictures because Blogger would not cooperate and upload all of them here.

Part Two: Hello to Ben in Iraq

2006-10-16T21:10:00.000-07:00

Please click on the link before reading any further.
Click HERE.
I urge all readers to spend some time at this site whenever you have a few minutes.
Thank You. Kathy :)

Dear Ben,
Here are a few more pictures we thought you might enjoy.

Your new couch.

There is a love seat to match.

Cookie Monster

Cousin Ava

New Paint

Who's Looking Out the Window?

Cousin Parker

Bathtime

Revealed: Julie and McDreamy/Swampwitch's Moon

2006-10-16T21:00:00.000-07:00

Several days ago, Julie requested fellow bloggers to post pictures of moons. I have located several of those who responded with their own versions.

Actually, I think Claudia started it. Then, Willowtree , joined in. Let me warn you if you link to WT, you will see a real moon. Put your sunglasses on.
Possibly, Jenny started the whole thing but I can't locate her moon.
I am totally surprised that Marnie doesn't have a moon posted because she's posts about everything else. Including self-portraits in the mirror in which she is quite HONEST.
She also tries to lead us to conclusions that some bloggers might be FRAUDS.
I am unable to locate any more of the moon posts because I think they have ended up in Archives and I have run out of time looking for them. PLEASE, if you posted a moonshot, let me know where it is.

Even though I am late posting my moon, I decided this particular picture was appropriate.

SWAMPWITCH'S MOON

Now, for the unveiling of the residents of Another Chance Ranch.

Drum Roll Please ! There really is a drum roll at this link.

Actually, I've turned this into somewhat of a guessing game. You really didn't think I would just post their picture, did you? That's just too easy. Below, you will find several pictures to choose from. Each column is labeled A-B-C-D and each row is labeled 1-2-3-4. Blogger messed around with me, and I never did figure out how to post these in order. After 4 tries, I gave up. Choose which couple you think is the "Another Chance Ranch Couple" and label it according to the photo's position with a number and a letter.

If there are enough entries, I will tally the votes and reveal who you think is the real couple.

If I have enough bribes, I will post the real picture. I have it. I really do.

Babes' Fest

2006-10-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

Here's to you Babes:

We went to high school together.
We went our separate ways.
Some stayed in that small Oklahoma town.
Some never came back. . .
Until our 35th high school reunion.
In that small Oklahoma town
A weekend of laughing, crying, reuniting.
Trying to relive a lifetime in a few hours.
We made a vow to stay in touch.
We did.
We laughed (hysterically)
We giggled (for no reason)
We trusted (without reservation)
We accepted (without condition)
There was understanding.
There were hugs, giggles, tears...
We called it Babes' Fest.
We made new memories.
We made a vow to stay in touch.
We will.
Here's to you, Babes.

Do you have a friend story to share? a quote? a poem?
Today, pick up the phone and call a friend.

"In my mind, I've made a scrapbook. . . a collage of memories formed in the comfort of friendship."

"On the journey of friendship, what we discover in each other opens our eyes of understanding."

Posts Coming up this week:

Winners Announced for What Is This Man Doing Contest #3
McDreamy and McLadyBug Revealed
Swampwitch's Picture with No Hair
A Hello to Our Son-in-Law Stationed in Mosul
Brian's Poem: Rainbows

Photos from our Trip

2006-10-14T13:45:00.000-07:00

MRMules

MRnotMules

MRHorses

SMRHorses

MRClydesdales

MRSomeBigHorses

Some of you may remember Julie's STORY.

Hence, the "riddle."

Besides, Barngoddess always has pictures of horses, so I wanted to post a pictures of horses, too.

(even though they aren't my horses)

-Sunrise the morning we left on our marathon journey-

Mt. Garfield can be see to the far left.

Future Jack-o-Lanterns or Punkin' Pies

After being on the road for 11 days, we saw many beautiful sights. I just wanted to share three of my pictures today. I am certainly not a photographer, but I think you will be able to identify the subject matter of each.

Thanks to all my blogger friends who have visited even though I've not been able to consistently stay in touch. And, also to those of you who are reading my posts that concern Breast Cancer Awareness. I will continue to post more about this subject during October.

Here is a wonderful recipe for these cool autumn days I wanted to share 'again.'

Yucatan Lime Soup with Chicken RECIPE.

Stay tuned for a lovely photo of McDreamy and McLadybug. (Julie-Another Chance Ranch)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Inflammatory Breast Cancer

2006-10-12T20:00:00.000-07:00

Seattle KOMO 4 News Special Report: Information about Inflammatory Breast Cancer
To view the video, click at the Red Camera below the X-ray on the link.
The Silent Killer: Inflammatory Breast Cancer
The video takes about 6 minutes. The phone numbers given are no longer for IBC. I will be posting other places to find information about this subject as it becomes available to me.
If you have information, please feel free to share it in your comments.

What Is This Man Doing ? Contest #3

2006-10-11T22:00:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time for a little more fun! I had just a few minutes to post something new, and what's more exciting than another contest? Before this marathon cross-country trip, I cleaned out a closet and have many treasures my "globber" friends might just love to have and cherish forever. These include a glow-in-the dark commode seat, a boa that looks like it has a bad case of the mange, various items received at a 50th birthday party. . . and possibly some of those gift cards from Barnes and Noble.

Entries will be accepted until Saturday,

10-14-06, at noon MST.

Winners will be announced Sunday or Monday, depending on when I finally arrive home.

There will be three (3) categories:

1) best title

2) funniest description

3) best limerick

In case of a tie in any category, winners will have to share the prize.

You may enter once in each category.

A Bouquet of Flowers for You

2006-10-09T14:30:00.000-07:00

A Bouquet of Flowers for My Blogger Friends

Thank you for visiting everyday. I will be at your doorstep as soon as I have the time to visit.
Until then, just enjoy these flowers I chose for you.

Anniversary Waltz

2006-10-06T04:00:00.000-07:00

Since Miss Ladybug (Julie at Another Chance Ranch) was nice enough to post an Anniversary Wish for Swampwitch and Hans, I felt it only appropriate to post a picture of us, the party animals doing the Anniversary Waltz.
Photography by Kelley L.
We are currently away from home, so my daily posting will be temporarily interrupted.
Have a wonderful day.

Light at End of My Tunnel

2006-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

The light at the end of my tunnel . . . and I certainly hoped it wasn't a train.

It wasn't a train. It was a group of people who rallied around me and helped me through a scary time of my life. It was my light of SURVIVAL !

To any of you who have been diagnosed, who are going through treatment, or who have loved ones who are on this journey to survival, know that there is a light at the end of their tunnel, too. And, it's not a train. It is their light of survival !

For new readers, please scroll down to earlier posts for links that will take you to information about Breast Cancer Awareness and Mammograms.

Because of my schedule, I have to post early today. To my blogger friends, I may not be able to post back or visit you for awhile.

Think Pink !

Wear Pink !

Pink is Power !

To my Sisters of Survival: SOS !!

((HUGS))

Mammogram and Auction Results

2006-10-03T18:00:00.000-07:00

This wasn't the post I had planned to share today, but since so many comments yesterday concerned mammograms, I just couldn't help myself. Besides, I want to add some levity to my posts this month and since yesterday seemed so black, here is a smile. I hope you will schedule your mammograms. It doesn't flatten you quite as much as pictured here.For any new readers, no this isn't an R-rated Blog. Well, it is an R-rated blog. R= Random ! May I suggest you scroll down to the pink picture and start reading there to figure out what's going on here.

There are two links in the text above. (color word/mammogram) Here are more links that concern mammograms:

Breast Cancer Site

National Cancer Institute

Womens Health

Mammograms

FAQ's

Now for some more levity, last week I held an AUCTION for a fine-looking young man. It's time to report who was the top bidder. Drum Roll Please !

Anonymous #2, you need to contact me with your mailing address so I can box him up and ship him to you. Your comment read: "Sooo handsome and a Southern gentleman to boot? I know his call sign but for this pictures it will be given "Alabama cowboy with icing on top!" Something awfully romantic about those mountains, too.

Your bid was a home cooked meal and a soft blanket curled up to watch a movie with a Playmate attached to the remote control!

Your call sign for him: Beaves

Congratulations ! He's yours. Now please change his shirt, maybe to one that comes from this shop.

Laughter, which Sir William Osler called "the music of life," makes the unbearable bearable and a patient with a well-developed sense of humor has a better chance of recovery than a stolid individual who seldom laughs.

The Day My World Changed

2006-10-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

"There are cancer cells !"

Have you ever seen black just before you passed out?
Have you ever had the breath knocked out of you?
Has your throat ever closed and you couldn't breathe?
Have you ears ever rung so loudly you couldn't hear?
Has your mouth ever been so dry you couldn't swallow?
Have you ever not been able to feel your hands?
Has your heart ever beaten so fast you thought it would jump out of your chest?

If you combine all these sensations, it might give you an idea of what it felt like for me to hear my doctor speak these words, "There are cancer cells."

I distinctly remember my very first thought.

"How do I tell my two daughters that I have breast cancer?"

On the day I turned 39, I wondered what it would feel like to be 40.
I had always heard the expression "Forty and pregnant."
I surely didn't want to be 40 and pregnant. I was in the midst of a divorce.
I just didn't know I would be 40 and bald.

In the amount of time it took Dr. H to say those four words, my life changed.
At first, I thought everything changed. My world seemed to turn black.
I heard words like mastectomy, lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, double-blind studies, support group, and then I stopped listening. My ears refused to hear.

At first, I thought my whole world would change, but it didn't take long to realize, some things never change. The unconditional love for my two daughters and their unconditional love for me would always be there. . . an even deeper love and understanding like we had never known developed. My family was still my family and my friends were still my friends. There would still be sunshine and rain and rainbows. The moon and stars would still glitter the night sky. The flowers would still bloom, the birds would still sing, and the dogs would still bark. My classroom would still be on the third floor at Central Middle School. My students would still be mine, they would just have a substitute teacher for awhile. Yes, life would still go on . . . with or without me. I had to make a choice whether to throw a pity-party for myself, mope, and be miserable or squeeze every ounce of life out of every minute I had and make the most of a bad situation. I chose the latter. Being a teacher, I knew the importance of being a good role-model. My girls needed their mother and I planned to be that role-model. . . strong yet vulnerable.
And so my journey began.

In the length of time it has taken you to read this post, approximately 3 women have been diagnosed with breast cancer (and possibly a man). Every 2 minutes, breast cancer is diagnosed. Of the next 7 women you see, 1 will probably be diagnosed with breast cancer. If you take the time to read the post again, someone has died of breast cancer. The statistics are startling.
Each of my posts have links. Just put your cursor on the colored words and that will take you to more information. Be informed. Be educated. Education is Power.

Scroll down the page to my previous post for more links.

October: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2006-10-01T17:00:00.000-07:00

Hello,

My name is Swampwitch.
aka: Kathy, Kath, Kats. . . and especially Mom, Gammy, and GaGa
I am a breast cancer SURVIVOR !
Most of the readers who come here, I do not know.
To those of you who post, I have come to know you only through your words and pictures.
In my very first story about Globbing: How Do I Start? I mentioned several reasons for having my own blog.
I had never seen a blog until August.
By the end of September, my objective was to know enough about blogging to be able to share a story . . . . . . a story of fear, hope, love, pain, smiles, tears, and survival.
Many bloggers stopped in and helped me along the way. You have taught me how to post a picture, to add a link, to use Flickr and PhotoBucket . . . you have actually been on the phone with me to help. My blog has taken on a new look because of a blogger friend. She has helped me add my pictures across the top and to the side, organized my stories, and added that pretty pink clock. I THANK ALL OF YOU ! You know who you are. Here is a ((hug)) for all of you.
Some of my posts beginning now will deal with breast cancer.
This is not a ploy to see how many comments I can receive.
It is a sincere effort to reach out to those who lives have been affected or are affected by this disease. You are welcome to ask questions about my experience. Sharing my story is therapeutic.

The statements I make will relate only to my particular case.
My advice to readers who are traveling that journey to survival is to make all your decisions with your doctors and with the support of your family.

When I was conducting in-service workshops for teachers, I made it a point to end each session with statistics, facts and information on how to do self exams. Most of the time I didn’t know the people in my audiences. During that short period of time, two of those teachers contacted me to tell me they had followed my instructions and made appointments for mammograms. Both of these ladies were diagnosed with malignant tumors. Years later, I still hear from those beautiful, healthy ladies.

If you know of someone who would like to spend about five minutes each day to read stories of fear, hope, love, pain, tears, smiles, and survival, send them here. Not every post will be about breast cancer. Some days there may only be a bouquet of flowers waiting here. Some posts will just be random, as that's what this blog is . . . random.

Education is the key to action. Education is power. Early detection is the key to survival. Mammograms are important. Monthly self-exams are important. If only one person is encouraged, uplifted, supported, and instructed, then it has been worth all the time, energy, and effort that goes into maintaining a blog.

"I suppose if I had to choose just one quality to have, that would be it: vitality."

---John F. Kennedy

If you are new to reading blogs, you can click on the underlined/color words which will link you to more information.

Note to my fellow Bloggers: I may not be on your doorstep everyday with a comment as I do have some obligations this month that will pull me away from my computer. I will stay in touch as often as I can. :)

Always Be Prepared

2006-09-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

This story has been rattling around in my brain since my trip to the doctor this week. I debated whether to put in on paper, then possibly publishing it here at Globasylum. I could hear my daughters sceaming, “M-A-A-H-M-M ! ! N-O-O-O ! ! N-O-O-O-O ! !
Remember in my profile I said that sometimes I embarrass my children, well, this will be one of those times.
I considered writing it in Third Person about my friend.
"I have this friend who I took to the doctor the other day. She. . . "
But you people are too smart to fall for that one.
Then, I read Ree’s post about her peeing in her bed, the neighbor's bed, on their couches. . . and this post pales in comparison.
So, girls, you may want to stop reading here. Be thankful, at least I didn't post a picture with this story. It could be worse.

Going to the doctor is not on my top ten list of favorite things to do. Giving a urine sample is not on any of my lists. Calling the triage nurse and discussing my symptoms ranks up there in between the two aforementioned items.
"I know what is wrong. It happened about 4 years ago. It is on my chart. Can’t you just call in a prescription?"
O-h-h-h-h ! No-o-o-o-o!
My appointment is scheduled for F.I.V.E.H.O.U.R.S later.
I’m not in a lot of pain, but now I’m worried.
Worried that I won’t be able to produce that needed bit of liquid that’s always required. I never can. Not even if I avoided the bathroom for days, if I have to produce, I can’t.
Running water. Running water over my hand. Running water over my head. Running water over my body. Nothing for the little plastic cup.
Dipping my body into a vat of warm water. That might work.
So, since I have F.I.V.E.H.O.U.R.S. to wait I decide to be prepared. "Always be Prepared."I was never a Girl Scout or a Boy Scout, but I like that motto. And then there's Napoleon's motto, "If you're not prepared, at least look that way." Was that Napoleon who said that?
OK, back to the dilemma. What to put it in? Empty water bottle. Yes ! They are everywhere because I buy water by the case.
Done. No more worries. I am prepared.
I always keep water in my vehicle. Water bottles everywhere. Some empty. Some full. Some half-full. Some half-empty. (Yes, I’m both)
In the car, I carefully set my precious bottle in the little round hole provided for just such a thing, sitting just next to the bottle of water in the other little round hole.
NOTE TO SELF: Do NOT even think about drinking water on the way to the doctor’s office.
Entering the doctor's office I have my purse, my keys that I’m trying to get into my purse, my insurance information that I’m trying to get out of my purse, and my bottle.
The lady sitting behind the check-in counter smiles and asks for my name, doctor’s name, insurance, and I’m just trying to figure out where to set my bottle. Certainly, not on her counter. So, I carefully place it on the floor between my feet. Did I mention, I don’t buy small bottles of water? It’s one of those big a_ _ - honking ones.
Checked in and seated, I sit as far away from the elevator as possible. I certainly don’t want to have to carry on a conversation with someone with this rather large bottle of not-so-clear liquid in it cradled between my feet.
Magazine in hand but not reading, I’m watching for anyone who might recognize me and just hoping for the nurse to hurry and call my name. Elevator doors open and I recognize the gray-haired gentleman stepping out. I bury my face in the magazine but keep an eye on him. He checks in. This is a very large waiting room with about 65 chairs. I’m sitting inconspicuously in a far corner of this very large room. Then I hear “Kathryn”…that’s not my name, but that’s what he calls me.
It’s just a water bottle. Everyone carries them everywhere. He doesn’t have a clue what’s in my very large bottle.
Before he makes it across the room to where I am, the nurse calls my name. I am sprinting through the doors where I find her standing at the scales. Why do I have to be weighed in? My problem has nothing to do with my weight. OK?
I set my bottle down and much to my chagrin, learn I did gain 3 pounds last weekend.
The nurse notices my bottle and asked if I brought my sample with me.
“Yes ! I proclaim,” proudly.
“Has it been in the refrigerator?”
“What?”
“Has it been in the refrigerator?”
“What refrigerator?”
“This has to be kept cold.”
“You want it chilled?”
“This has to be kept cold in order for us to get the correct results.”
Someone better start filling a vat of warm water.

Globber Auction Today !

2006-09-29T20:00:00.000-07:00

"What is ME bid for this fine-lookin' young man?"
Bidding starts at whatever you want to buy him with.

Don't worry that he has on that awful shirt. You can change that if you win him.

Don't worry that he doesn't know it's cold outside and isn't wearing a coat. We will send him to you with a coat. He doesn't know to come in from the rain either. He's trainable.

Don't worry that he loses bets on Okahoma/Alabama football games. (He does pay his bets, by the way.)

Don't worry that he does knows how to fly T-45 Goshawks and F-18 Hornets. That could be a plus for you. . .free fast rides.

If you are the highest bidder, well, the bidder who offers the best deal, you can re-name him with a new call sign.

Does anyone know his current call sign?
If so, give CLUES to what it is.

So, here's the deal:
1) What is your bid for him?
2) What are clues for his current call sign?
3) What call sign will you give him if you win him?

Winners will be announced at another GlobberAward ceremony. Stay tuned to this channel for updates. There will be another GlobberAuction coming up soon, as we do have more of these where he came from. They are in uniform.

Globber Award in the Verbal Linguistic Category Goes To . . .

2006-09-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

. . . and the Globber Award for best sentences in the Verbal-Linguistic Category goes to. . .
Well, you have to read first to find out who the lucky person is.

These are only suggested answers to Wednesday's assigment.
There are many more in last Wednesday's comment section.

fiddle (conj. & v.) regarding speculation on the result of an action about to be undertaken I wonder fiddle work when I try to post my pictures today with Globber.

griyuts (n.) coarsely ground corn or wheat
My recipe for garlic cheese griyuts was popular.

hominy (adv. & adj.) an aid to arithmetic
By adding two and two, yew find out hominy yew got.

idnit (v. & adv. & pro.) contraction for id not it
Idnit a pirate flag flyin' up thar?

For more Red Neck words, check them out on our previous assignments.

I apologize for all the words being discombobulated (is that a word?), around the picture, but I've not figured out how to make them appear the way they look when I save my draft. Globber always makes the final decision.

And now, the Globber Award for best sentence in the Verbal-Linguistic category goes to (drum roll)
. . . well, there are three (3) winners. They are:

Pam who incorporated all the vocabulary words into a story:
I used your first word in a recent post and title, 'cause I do like to fiddle fart around some. And I don't eat griyts no matter hominy times you tell me it's made outa corn ! Idnit amazin' how some folks get so dang pickey 'bout food?

SillyHily didn't look at anyone's paper before tunning in her assignment. Besides, she thought this was fun. (Going for a Teacher's Pet Award ?)Her sentences were:
1) Honey, my car is making a funny noise. Why don't you go fiddle with it and see if you can fix it?
2) I would rather not eat griyuts because by the time I fix them up with butter and sugar, they really aren't that healthy anymore.
3) Hominy licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
4) Idnit going to be fun to go to the Memphis/UT game on Saturday?

Brian decided to deviate from the obvious answers with his interpretation:
"Nero played his fiddle, while all the idnits ran around looking for water. The local temple gave a hominy while gruiyts from the burning wood floated in the air."
(Clue: Think while Rome burned, the idiots ran for water. The temple gave "prayers" and "embers" from the burning wood.)

All three of you may go here to receive your Glob(e)Award.

The pirate flag was posted in honor of KayrmnR and her celebration of Talk Like a Pirate Day.

What does this Suthern' expression mean?
"Even a blind hog will find an acorn (akurn) once in a while."

Do you have any Suthern' expressions to share?

Question: Has anyone seen the post that on October 1 bloggers' early school year pics are to be posted? I am unable to locate the post where I read that. HELP!

Happy Birthday

2006-09-28T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Wetsy !

The GlobberAward* announcement for yesterday's assignment will be postponed until tomorrow along with some other sentences for the vocabulary words. *(not to be confused with Globe Award-but for fun, if you win, just go to this site and choose your favorite award and give yourself a pat on the back.)

Today I want to wish Wetsy a Happy Birthday: (music here)

The two round yellow circles singing and dancing during the second verse are law and myself.

In case you don't recognize any of the locations of the pictures below, here are some clues in no particular order. That's because I couldn't get them in a particular order.

It seems like only yesterday we were fourth-graders at Limestone. I vaguely remember your story about Antlers. Here, you and your friend were Twinkies. Hello to the other three friends in the same picture. Then, there was a birthday party at Hillcrest. What does your friend have on her head for Nutcracker? You girls grew up before our very eyes and were roommates. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Mrs. Dubyah :)

To other readers, please excuse a personal post today, but it was just too important not to celebrate with a friend. You are welcome to send your best Happy Birthday wish with a greeting, quote, poetry (that does include limericks) . . . to Wetsy, who by the way is related to Ree at Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. May I suggest listening to the Juice Bag audio portion of her glob in case this is your first time at her very eclectic asylum. Ree's was the very first "glob" I ever read in my life. That was last month. And for a very graceful photo of Wetsy, click HERE.

Disclaimer: If today is not your birthday, I know it's sometime soon. So just read this on your special day.

National Rental Car's New Logo

2006-09-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

This is not Hansman. (nothans)

This young man gave me permission to take his picture. I do not know his name, and I'm sure he had no idea he would end up on my glob. I didn't either, because at the time, I didn't have a glob. So, if you recognize him, please tell him Swampwitch says thanks for giving her a picture to post. The agent at the counter had already rented him his car by the time she read the back of his shirt. By the look on her face, I think she wished he had gone to the Hertz Rental Car counter.

The previous post had a sunrise picture on it. I asked if anyone could give clues as to where it was. In order to know exactly where it was, you would have to have been there when the picture was taken. It could be any lake, anywhere. I just liked the way the sun reflected in the water and how the clouds appeared. It is Lake Washington in Seattle. Thanks for your guesses. As usual, today's picture has nothing to do with today's text.

Today's post is another Verbal-Linguistic assignment. Please don't let the word "assignment" scare you away. Everyone ends up with an A+ in this class.

Directions:
Define and/or use the following "words" in a sentence. Parts of speech may be included. For examples, see a previous post.

1) fiddle:

2) griyuts:

3) hominy:

4) idnit

Example:

mewuhls: n. (the animals that were NOT posted at Julie's place yesterday)
You people, those are Percheron horses. They are not mewuhls.

Answer to What Happened to This Man's Pickup Truck

2006-09-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

What Happened to This Man’s Chevrolet Pickup Truck?

Scroll down the page to see the pictures of This Man's Truck.

Short story . . .
made . . .
long . . .

He purchases a Garmin Street Finder.
It is his third GPS gadget.
He lost the other two.
I wonder if there is a gadget that would help him locate the other two? I hope not.

This is the first one he has learned to use.

There are several options on this piece of equipment:
Language: English, Spanish, German, etc.
Accent: Standard English, British, Italian, etc.
Type of directions: Map display, Written directions, etc.
Voice: Male, Female, etc. :)

There is a warning, and I quote, “Do not attempt to enter route information or adjust this device while driving. Failure to pay full attention to the operations of your vehicle could result in death, serious injury, or property damage. (Possibly a Chevrolet Pickup Truck?) You assume full responsibility.

After several weeks of practicing with his new toy, (did I mention it’s his third one?), we take a business trip to Scottsdale.

Garmin has been programmed for English-speaking female. They (whoever they are) say men will respond better to a female voice when given directions. That’s why in a fighter-jet the cockpit commands are given by a female, named Bitchin’ Betty.
Would someone please tell my husband he is supposed to respond to my female voice?

“Why don’t you program the address in b.e.f.o.r.e. you start driving?”
“I can do this. You always say I need to multi-task.”
“Not while you’re driving. Let me program the information in.”
Lost Satellite Reception
“You don’t know where we’re going.”
Recalculating
“Obviously, she doesn’t either.”
“Well, she will when I get A-R-I-Z-O-N-A programmed in.”
Continue 1 mile, then turn left and you will reach your destination.
“Wow, I didn’t know Arizona was so close. Did they move it?”
“No, she’s telling me how to get to my office.”
“How many years have you been driving to the same office . . . 20?”
Continue 300 feet, then turn left.
“I can’t remember the name of the company I’m supposed to meet with.”
She’s giving you directions to your office. Just stop there and call for directions.”
“You have to be kidding. Ask for directions??? I have HER to help me.”
Lost Satellite Reception
“Either slow down or stop driving on the shoulder.” “Stop!” The light is red.”
He continues to program in the information. S-C-O-T-T-S-D-A
“The pole isn’t going to turn green.”
Honking from behind us gets louder.
Recalculating
“Finally, I have Arizona and Scottsdale programmed in.”
“Great, by the time you figure out what the company’s name is and get it programmed in, we’ll be in New Mexico.”
“I have their business card with the exact address on it.”
“Where IS the card?”
“In the trunk. When we get to Scottsdale, I’ll stop and get it out.”
Hours later . . . stopped on side of road . . . looking for card AND his wallet.
“Would you please program that address in BEFORE you start driving in this traffic?”
“Why?”
“Give me that thing.”
Travel 15 miles south, then exit right.
Thirty minutes later (traffic is heavy) . . .
In 2 miles, turn right, then turn left.
“I don’t think she knows what she’s talking about.” “What did you program in?”
“The address on the card that you gave me.”
In 1 mile, turn right, then turn left.
“Where’s the volume on her? Can you turn her down?”
In 300 feet, turn right, then turn left.
“She doesn’t have a clue what she’s talking about.”
Turn right, then turn left.
Recalculating.
“I’m going to stop and get the map out.”
“What map?”
“The map the company faxed me with the directions.”
"You have a map of where we are going?"
Turn right, then turn right.
“Where IS the map?”
“In the trunk.”
Recalculating.
“OK, I’m going to take the next exit, then stop, and get the map out of the trunk.”
Breathe – Count – Breathe – Count
Lost satellite reception.
“This is a one-way going back the way we just came.”
Breathe – Count – Breath – Count- My left eyelid is twitching.
“There’s no place to stop.”
I think I’m hyperventilating.
“OK, this looks like a good place to stop. I’ll just hop out and get the map out of the trunk.”
You have reached your destination.
"What did she say?”
“She said you’re an idiot. To pay attention to her female voice next time because she does know where she's going."
“What is the name of the company on that business card?”
“The same name that’s on the marquee that we’re parked under.”
You idiot.

Question: What happened to this man’s Chevrolet pickup?

Answer: On his next trip (that he took by himself) he was programming HER, and hit one of those green, metal, reflector poles doing about 60 mph. No one was hurt, and he is now searching for his third GPS gadget.

Photo Above: Please give clues as to what you think is pictured here. Please don't give the location away.

Colorado Color Sunday

2006-09-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

Colorado Color Sunday. . . A picture is worth a thousand words. ENJOY !

Where's Waldohans? Somewhere in the aspens.

What Cancer Cannot Do

2006-09-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

What Cancer Cannot Do
Cancer is so limited . . .
It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot steal eternal Life
It cannot conquer the Spirit.
Author Unknown

What Happened to This Man's Chevrolet Pickup Truck?

2006-09-22T14:00:00.000-07:00

In 1,000 words or less, please explain what you think happened to this man's Chevrolet pickup truck.

Happy Birthday and Verbal - Linguistic cont'd

2006-09-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

We interrupt this Verbal-Linguisitic Post to wish someone a Happy Birthday !

Captions for this picture:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

A-H-H-H to be sixteen again . . .

What Is This Man Doing?

Forty Years Ago

Where in the World Is Waldohans?

Look Mom, it followed me home.
Can we keep it?

More???

Now, back to the assignment:

There are no wrong answers in this classroom. Everyone who participated, receives an A+. The following are more definitions and sentences to add to yours.

Ammo: (song)
Ammo 'ole cowhand, from the Rio Grande.

Bidness: (enterprise)
There's no bidness lak show bidness . . .

Bidness: (concern)
It's none 'o yore bidness.

Cainchew: (question)
Cainchew tawuk lak a good Suthner?

Dogue: (domesticated animal) other pronunciation: dawg
To keep yore dogue (dawg) happy, thow him a bisgit.
Better yet, thow him a cayut. (Just kidding you cayut lubbers)

Etchicashun: (knowledge developed by formal skoolin')
Etchicashun is a grate thang. After yew gradjuate yew can go out and git a job.

Melzie , I like the way you incorporated all the vocabulary words into one sentence. And yes, we really do tawuk lak this . . . anyway, aye do.

I'm impressed that Minka is always in class considering the long commute she has everyday from Iceland. Your wires may be crossed but at least they haven't shorted out like mine.

It is very important BarnGoddess that you use a Suthern' dictionary on your compooter.

There is never any need for test anxiety in this classroom, Gawilli . Just keep reading.

Please let everyone know that there is no need for test anxiety, Julie . Beer helps with anything, especially if given to the proctor . . .that would be me. You have earned your A+ whether you turn in any more assignments or not. Just look at my new pictures at the top of the page. Not to mention, all my new categories along the right side. This classroom is under construction and Julie has her hard hat on. Oh, and I may change my user name to Turkey Turd. Thank you very much.

My new knowledge for linking is attributed to Pam who has stuck with me along the way with directions as detailed as, ". . . check your CPU (the big thing you put your CD's in) to make sure your speakers are plugged in . Yes, the photo was taken in the Land of Rain and Coffee. Thanks for giving clues and not the exact answer. And, you did find Waldo aka: Waldodavid. Your link to gat makes me gag. But, Knowledge is Power.

And, Willi also located Waldo (Waldodavid). It's very obvious you are a teacher.

You know what they say Tiggerlane . On a test, it's usually your first though that's correct.

And a new vocab word for No . Checking in from Pioneer Woman and her trip to the museum.

It's never too late to turn in an assignment Ree . Even though you do have a good excuse since it's your 10th Wedding Anniversary. Don't drink too much Starbucks Coffee.
Happy Anniversary.

All excuses are accepted for tardiness Pamela , especially when you step in dogue (dawg) doo.

Glad you were in class today C . Thanks for sharing your Scottish phrases.

That would be Waldodavid behind the sculpture, G.

And last of all, Nothans, thanks for visiting the classroom today. Check closely for the
Space Needle in the pic.

If you don't have a clue what we are talking about here, read the comments from yesterday's post. That might help or maybe not !

I apologize to anyone else who posts today that I've not responded to you, but I must go make a birthday cake for The Man in the Picture.

I do hope that all the links work. If yours didn't please let me know. Swampwitch :)

Verbal-Linguistic Assignment - Think Suthern'

2006-09-20T16:00:00.000-07:00

This picture really doesn't have anything to do with today's post, but when has this "glob" ever been anything but random ? Why change now?
Without giving the exact location of this photo, please gives clues to where the photo was taken.
And, can you find Waldo in the picture?

Here is today's Verbal-Linguistic assignment. (Word Smart) It is a chance for those of you who need extra credit to improve your grade.

Please define each of the following "words" and use each in a sentence.

1. ammo:

2. bidness:

3. cainchew:

4. dogue:

5. etchicashun:

Quote for the day:
Don't mind criticism.
If it's untrue, disregard it.
If it's unfair, keep from irritation.
It it's ignorant, smile
If it's justified, learn from it.

Verbal-Linguistic Intelligence: (Word Smart) is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply mental linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, public speakers, and bloggers.

Linking 103 Continued !

2006-09-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Instead of a cloud with a silver lining, here's one for you with a gold lining. Fuzzy, but I liked the "halo" and also that Mt. Garfield shows up.

Actually, my current post is located below Yucatan Lime Soup recipe.

Just when I think I have learned something new, like linking to a previous story,

I forget how to do something else. I thought I changed the date/time on the

saved draft below so that it would show up at the top, but no-o-o-o-o !

By the time I learn how to do basic blogging techniques, if anyone is

still visiting this glob, I will have made you dyslexic, too.

Then, it will be officially known as The Asylum.

So, today, please scroll down past the Yucatan Lime Soup recipe and read

today's post.

I spent a lot of time trying to get those links in my text,

and I certainly want someone to click on them. Most of them work, but I think

instead of seeing the OU Sooners-West, you'll find a hummingbird. Oh, well.

I hope I have given everyone the proper thanks and that the link I put with your

name actually takes the reader to your glob - blog.

Just for fun you have to click on TNChick , find the post about her computer

problems, click on comments, and find what Swampwitch said. Notice

that when I used the words "my husband," just like magic, a picture

appears. So, if that's "my husband," who's the gal in the picture with

him. Pam spent so much time giving me step-by-step instructions

on how to add a link to my comments, and all I have to do is just

type "my husband" and links just magically appear.

Yucatan Lime Soup with Chicken

2006-09-19T18:42:00.000-07:00

No, this isn't a joke. I'm actually sharing another recipe that several have requested.

For those who know me, yes, I do cook on occasion.

I have included some photos that were taken on the Yucatan Peninsula just for effect.

I've never been able to make the soup the way it is prepared here, but then I don't have the sand, surf, salt spray, and that hot, hot sun.

I hope you enjoy it and will let me know if you actually did prepare the soup and what you thought. Experiment with the ingredients to make it to your liking.

Yucatan Lime Soup

1 chicken breast, cut into 1 inch cubes or shredded

1 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 c. vegetable oil or more (for stronger taste I use sesame oil)

8 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips

3/4 c. finely chopped white or yellow onion

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 c. seeded, chopped tomatoes

1 Tbsp. minced Serrano chiles (don't touch your nose or eyes after chopping)

4 c. chicken stock

3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (or more)

1/4 cup cilantro (more for garnish)

1 lime, cut into thin slices (for garnish)

avocado, diced (for garnish)

Season the chicken with the cumin and 1/4 tsp. salt and set aside. (Sometimes I use a rotisserie chicken) Heat 1/2 c. of oil over high heat. Fry tortilla strips until golden brown. Drain. Salt.

Add onion to remaining oil (no more that 2 tsp. of oil) Add a dash of each:

paprika

salt

garlic powder

black pepper

onion powder

cayenne pepper

dried oregano

dried thyme

Saute until soft.

Add chicken, garlic, tomatoes, and chilies.

Saute about 3-4 minutes.

Add stock and lime juice.

Simmer 10 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 c. cilantro.

Place 1 lime slice in each soup bowl and ladle soup on top.

Top with avocado, tortilla stips, and more cilantro.

Yummy soup for a chilly autumn day.

ENJOY !

Learning to Link Stories

2006-09-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Sweet Robin at Pensieve,

You are my new best friend. Thank you for the step-by-step instructions on how to link to a previous story. I won't know if if works for sure until I publish, but that's the only way I'll learn.

To anyone who accidentally or on purpose (I can't imagine why on purpose !) ends up here, I'm sure they are shaking their heads in disbelief at what they find posted at this random place. I hesitate to call it an asylum . . . yet.

My daughters who call me a control freak (and I did consider using that as my user name, but Controlling Freaky Swampwitch was a little much), have questioned me about how I decide on what to post. I can't answer that yet. It just comes naturally, I guess.

I have readers, Pam ,who are now trying to help me turn my speakers back on with instructions like:

check the cord connections from your speakers to your CPU-that big thing you put your CD's into. Oh, she knows me. It was forever that I thought my computer was the screen and keyboard. I kid you not.

It is so much fun learning this. And doing it in front of people is no problem for me. I taught for over 25 years, mostly middle school, and I learned in front of them everyday. They taught me so much.

I started with a story about Globbing, How Do I Begin? And, Robin, unfortunately, Willowtree won't help because I think I offended him with my misuse of the word Blog. All that can be located in my Globtionary.

Then I decided to share stories about life with my husband Hanstory #1 and our experiences at restaurants. At that time, I still didn't know how to post a picture. For that matter, I'm still not sure because Globber is such a pain in the "arse" at times. So, I have been instructed to use Picasa. My only question there concerns the ability to SAVE the information. Do you have to publish it immediately, or can you save it for a later date?

At some point along the way, a nice young pilot helped me with posting pictures so I wrote Hanstory #2. Unfortunately, I did not know how to get all the pictures to post with the story itself.
Nevertheless, I was able to prove my story.

Then, I wrote Hanstory #3 about the need for communication in a relationship and was feeling quite smug with myself, only to learn that Globber wasn't cooperating again. I had already written the story so I didn't want to have to go to Picasa and re-write it. (I know, I know, write it in Word, click copy all, and paste it.) Please understand, I have just recently learned how to work with two pages on my screen at the same time. Then, by some stroke of magic, I tried one more time to publish my text with picture of the orange crocks, and Wa-Lah, there is was. It just wasn't posted with the text.

We spent Labor Day with one of our daughters, so I just had to share that experience. Anyone who knows us, understands that this was no exaggeration. Because, I have pictures to prove it.

I wanted to share the fact that our neighbor (coach) and his son (player) had two successful seasons as the OU Sooners-West so here is that picture. We won't mention the OU game against the Oregon Ducks last Saturday. Was something "fowl" or what?

Then, I wanted to announce the Winners of the first What is This Man Doing contest, so here they are.

I'm sure no one is still reading, but I'm having a wonderful time rambling on and on.

I've tried to post a picture with this, but once again, Globber is not cooperating. I notice they will have an outage later. I certainly hope they can "fix" whatever is wrong. I'm sure it's not me and my compooter skills.

Contest

2006-09-18T22:12:00.000-07:00

Fall into a free fall blog makeover.

Bluebird Blogs is holding a contest. Win a fall makeover for your blog.
Send an e-mail to bluebirdblogs@gmail.com
with your name and blog address.

Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Friday 09-22/06

http://bluebirdblogs.blogspot.com/

Contest

And The Winners Are . . .

2006-09-18T15:33:00.000-07:00

And The Winners Are...

Man with Stick After Fetching It Off Garage Roof

June Bug with a different stick while man fetches the other one off the garage roof.

Links are listed below.

#1 Closest to what he is actually doing:

Pamela guessed it first with Pam coming in second.

". . . looking for something that got thrown up there . . . "

The something was June Bug's stick they were playing fetch with.

#2 Best title for all four pictures:

KatieT: " S H _ _ on a Shingle"

One of many duties of a pteradactyl owner, roof pooper scooping.

#3 Funniest caption:

Pamela's limerick:

There once was a man heard to utter

As he balanced himself o'r the shutter

This job is so dirty

My thoughts sure ain't purty

Can't keep my mind outta the gutter.

. . . AND her captions from TV and movies:

1) Beam me up Scotty. (Star Trek)

2) Able to leap tall building in a single bound. (Superman)

3) I'll be back. (The Teminator)

4) Made it, Ma. Top of the World (Who Killed Roger Rabbit)

Pam - Ramblings and Other Things

KatieT - Now Hear This

Pamela - The Dust Will Wait

Please e-mail me with your Pony Express address so I can mail a surprise to you.

Pam, the bear is dead. One of those three strikes and you're out bears. I'm headed to your archives to see what you have to say about bears.

Honorable mention goes to everyone who participated:

Brian

Michelle

Melzie (and thanks for noticing the dogs were Boxers)

Debs

KarmynR

Robin

and Library Goddess (Garlic Grits and Bloody Mary Girl)

P.S. I hope all the links work. This is just my second time to try this.

Robin Tagged Me

2006-09-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

Well here goes with This-That-and-The Other:

Robin tagged me and gave me this "assignment."

Jobs I've had:
1) making Christmas bows for C&D Variety Store ($.50 hour)
2) sacking groceries and stocking shelves at College Grocery Store ($1.25 hour)
3) bookkeeper for Thompson Book Store ($1.35 hour)
4) teacher in Oklahoma and Colorado ($$ varied but sometimes could have qualified for
Federal Assistance)

Movies I could watch again and again:
1) E.T. *
2) Holes * (Louis Sachar)
3) The Land Down Under*
4) Rabbit Proof Fence
* there is a discrepancy between my chronological age and developmental age

Places I have lived:
1) Antlers, Oklahoma
2) Hugo, Oklahoma
3) Durant, Oklahoma (pronounced DOO-rant if you're a local)
4) Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Quick story about Oklahoma told with a love for that state:
Without the panhandle, Oklahoma looks something like a rectangle.
Divide it into fourths.
Person in one quadrant calls his neighbor, "You alls cow is in my garden."
Person in next quadrant calls his neighbor, "Ya'lls cow is in my garden."
Person in third quadrant calls his neighbor, "You-en-zess (ya'll + 3) cow is in my garden."
Person where I'm from calls his neighbor, "I just shot your cow. . . come on over for B-B-Q)

Things I like to do:
1) spend time with my husband (What is this man doing? Hanstories), my family and friends
2) play tennis, play with Junior and Bubba, my Boxers
3) work outside
4) work with middle school children - learn new things - they teach me a lot

Favorite foods:
1) garlic cheese grits
2) black-eyed peas, turnip greens, cornbread (especially on January 1)
3) soups: Yucatan lime, posole, split-green pea, onion
4) peanut butter and banana sandwiches with cold milk

Places I would like to be right now:
1) anywhere with my husband, children, and grandchildren
2) at home with my husband, family, Junior, and Bubba, with friends
3) flying a jet*
4) singing at Carnegie Hall*
*I can't do either !

Websites I visit often:
1) anything that pertains to: evaporative (swamp) coolers, Indoor Air Quality, asthma, allergies
2) weather - at this time, it is snowing in the Rockies
3) breast cancer support groups
4) blogs (globs as I see it in my lysdexic world)

Places I've been:
1) New York City - Twin Towers - Windows on the World Restaurant
2) Washington, D.C.
3) Australia and New Zealand
4) Alaska: Aleutian Islands and Wiseman and points in between

Favorite quotes:
1) Whatever you're willing to put up with is exactly what you will have.
2) "There are times in life when you just don't want to pass up a good opportunity to Shut Up."
---Joe McGraw
3) My greatest fear is that there is no such thing as PMS and this is my real personality.
4) "So, how's that workin' for you?" ---Dr. Phil McGraw

Wildflowers

2006-09-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

I have used the advice of Melzie and am using Picasa to try to post my pictures. This is another test. Don't mind me. I'm just trying to learn.
And while I'm here, this is for KarmynR and her husband:
How do you spell crow? C-R-O-W
How do you pronounce crow? kro (long o)
How do you eat crow? I like mine well done.

MRDUCKS
MRNOTDUCKS
MR2DUCKS
CMWANGS

This from an OU Sooner fan, an OSU Cowboy fan, a Denver Bronco fan, a Dallas Cowboy fan...
and today, an Oregon Duck fan !

Preparing for Breast Cancer Awareness

2006-09-16T14:46:00.000-07:00

Preparing for Breast Cancer Awareness, originally uploaded by swampwitch.

This is just a test to see if I can learn to use Flickr instead of depending on Blogger to post my pictures. Please be patient.

The Picture That Goes With Hanstory #3

2006-09-16T07:56:00.000-07:00

Thank you Blogger for posting the picture, finally. I take back all the bad things I said earlier about you and calling you Globber. (Until you do it again.) This picture goes with Hanstory #3.

Hanstory #3

2006-09-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

YOUR IMAGES ARE BEING UPLOADED TO BLOGGER (GLOBBER)
DONE
YEAH, RIGHT !
Use your Visusal/Spatial Intelligence and imagine a picture here.
A picture of a man's feet in orange crocks.
The caption says:
"Where are my shoes and socks
I do not want to wear David's orange crocks."

They (whoever they are) say that communication is an important part of developing, having, keeping, etc. a good relationship.

One aspect in communicating is the process of questioning and answering. I ask a question, he gives an answer. He asks a question, I give an answer. In most cases, the answer should be somewhat relevant to the question, I think. But, who am I to question or answer ?

Background info: Sometimes he will wear a nicely laundered and ironed shirt to the office. If he’s going to work outside the next day, he will wear that same shirt. Fine by me. So, that evening, he’ll hang / drape the shirt on anything but a hanger. He has done this for years. It’s a pattern. I know not to put the shirt in the dirty clothes hamper.

Yesterday I noticed a pair of socks draped over the vacumn cleaner handle. I wasn’t sure if the socks had been worn or not. And even if they had, this is one of the places where he “saves” his shirts to wear again, so I'm thinking maybe he wants to wear the socks again. Fine by me.

Later that day:

I asked, “Do you want me to wash (warsh) these socks or are you going to wear them again?”

He said, “No.”

I asked, “No what ?”

He said, “Just no.”

I asked, “Do you want me to put these in the wash (warsh) now, or do you want to wear them ?”

He said, “Those are my white socks.”

The last time I checked, I wasn’t color blind and am still able to distinguish socks from other articles of clothing.
My ears start to ring and my left eyelid is twitching again. I suppress the desire to raise my voice. Breathe. Count. Breathe. Count. (He's not hard of hearing. He's just not listening.)

(Classroom Control 203 kicks in…questioning techniques. Do not ask a two-part question to students who cannot solve “If this . . . Then what ?" )

I ask, “Do you want me to wash (warsh) these socks ?”

He asks, “Why wouldn’t I ?”

Now he’s answering my question with a question of his own.

I say, “Because they were hanging on the vacumn cleaner handle and when you hang your shirts there, it means you want to wear it them again.”

He says, “But those are my SOCKS.”

Note to self :
Learn to decipher the code. Determine what article of clothing that’s draped over the vacumn cleaner handle is to be worn again or to be washed (warshed) ?

Moral of the story: There isn't one.
Just two questions:
I ask, “Where are your shoes and socks ?”
He answers, “Whose on first ?”

At this point, had Gobber published my picture, the moral and the picture would have tied this all together. So, this post makes about as much sense as the above 'conversation.'

Logical / Mathematical Intelligence

2006-09-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

This picture represents one aspect of the Logical/Mathematical Intelligence.

It is the continuing saga of an earlier post. (See August Archives: Hanstory #2)

Today's Lesson Plan:

Logical/Mathematical Intelligence

(Number Smart)

Objective:

--to learn that too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.

The logical/mathematical person:

--recognizes and understand patterns

--follows multi-step instructions

--reasons well and abstractly

--thinks systematically

--classifies and categorizes data

--thinks without images

--organizes "things" in an effective manner

Activity:

THINK TANK TIME* (from my fourth grade curriculum) (directions follow)

1. ABC, BCD, CDE, ____ , _____, ______

2. a+a = 6 a+b= 14 b=____

3. math add subtract multiply

4. up: down :: hot: ________

5. 7 * D in a W _____________

6. If all elephants have trunks, and Dumbo is an elephant, then

__________________________________________.

7. Mary is taller than Jane. Jane is taller than Sue. Rita is taller than Jane

but shorter than Mary. List the names from shortest to tallest:

8. COF FEE

roo_

_oat

so_e

fro_

Directions:

1. sequence / pattern (what comes next)

2. a and b values (3rd grade algebra)

3. what word doesn't belong and why not

4. analogy

5. how does the number relate to the letters (Pun)

6. syllogism

7. list in order

8. wuzzle

9. same missing letter in all four words

Logical - Mathematical "Kid" Quote:

"If it wiggles, it's biology...if it smells, it's chemistry...if it doesn't work, it's physics.

Logical - Mathmatical "Adult" Quote:

"A short cut is the longest distance between two points."

*THINK TANK TIME was a daily activity posted on a bulletin board. Each student had a notebook specifically for TTT. On Friday, all 5 TTT were discussed with all possible answers.

Many students created their own TTT to be posted on the bulletin board.

It was always amazing how creative these students were. We were having fun and learning at the same time.

Crazy Links

2006-09-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

These are links to the bloggers who entered the "What Is This Man Doing" contest yesterday. I am practicing "linking." I hope they all work and that I listed everyone.

Brian

Michelle

Melzie

Pamela

Katie T

Debs

G

KarmynR

I Think I Did It !

2006-09-14T15:15:00.000-07:00

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system.

I think I have posted a link to the person who tagged me today and one more just a a mystery whose "glob" is it who was also tagged.

I am going to post this in front of the whole blogging world just to see if it works.

If not, I'll try again. If it does, I'm going LinkCrazy tomorrow.

ROBIN

Test

What Is This Man Doing ? #2

2006-09-13T23:11:00.000-07:00

The pictures are not necessarily in order, but you can figure that out for yourself. At least I was successful in getting all four posted. Thank you Blogger !

The question is . . . What is this man doing?

If you notice, my previous post declares three (3), winners of the question,
"What Is This Man Doing?" It had something to do with a glass of wine and a vacumn cleaner.

There will also be three winners for this contest:

#1) closest to guessing what he ACTUALLY is doing

#2) best title that captures ALL four pictures

#3) funniest description/caption for all four pictures

Contest will be open until Saturday, 09-16-06, 5:00 p.m. MDT

Winners will be which entries This Man laughs the most about.

Previous contest winners were awarded Barnes & Noble gift certificates.

Prizes for this contest have not yet been decided upon but they could range
anywhere from 3 new cars to something in our garage sale. (And no, we aren't selling our garage.)

Decision of the judges is never final. We can be coercized, influenced, or bought.

Get your creative thinking caps on.

In the meantime, I will be posting a new assignment concerning the Logical/Mathematical Intelligence. For all of you who are home-schooling, need lesson plans for next week, or just want to have some fun . . . stay tuned.

And The Winners Are . . .What Is This Man Doing ?

2006-09-13T21:58:00.000-07:00

Decison of the judges is NEVER final. It can be negotiated, coercized, influenced or bought.

What Is This Man Doing?

Three prizes will be awarded:

#1 What he is ACTUALLY doing (first to post).

#2 Best title

#3 Best description/caption

This was a difficult decison, but the ones that made this man laugh the most were:

#1)What he's actually doing: KarmynR guessed correctly. He is sucking up fruit flies as they circle his glass of red wine

#2 Best Title: Katie T with her title of Industrial Presidential Model: The Lewinski

#3 Funniest Description/Caption: BBIdaho: This man is adding $3.15 gallon gasoline to raise the value of cheap wine.

If the winners will send your addresses ( I will not publish them) you will be mailed a $15.00 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble, not to be shared, but each of you win.

In response to:

Songbird: yes, this is a bear in our house but he is dead...one of those three strikes and your out situations...we did NOT kill this bear ourselves. Please, no letters from animal rights activists.

Tiggerlane: wine bog/ wine sniffer ...either or is a wonderful idea.

KamrynR: Forgive me for I have Zinned with my vac was an honorable mention for a caption. But you've already won one prize... you creative blogger you.

Julie: maybe next time...next contest is coming up soon

Pamela: yes, he does have a reflection that causes some distortion

Lizze901: with this hose, no stains occur

C: siphon, yes, great idea

Old Dominion: wine bog...we are creating one as you speak

Gayle: KarmynR beat you to the punch... post faster next time

MJ, MSUgal86, Pam, Debs, Melzie Beth, Susan, No !!! The next "What Is This Man Doing?" Contest will be up in a few days. Stay tuned. This man is a plethora of wonderful posts and the prizes just get better with each contest.

The Voice Still Trembles

2006-09-11T10:22:00.000-07:00

09-04-01

the end of a memorable week in NYC we are on a plane back to Colorado our daughter on a plane back to Oklahoma little did I know the photo still in my camera of her sitting on the hotel bed with the stately towers providing the backdrop would become a most cherished one the very last one of the two giants providing the outline for that famous skyline gone forever but forever an image in my mind

09-11-01

the beginning of a usual day sunrise wrestling with the dogs coffee then the news standing in the exact place in my kitchen when the news of the Oklahoma City bombing flashed across the screen

a pendulum of emotions and thoughts fear hope disbelief hope confusion hope pain hope panic hope horror hope hope hope

a snapshot in time...Kennedy, Space Shuttle, first imgaes of Desert Storm, Oklahoma City and now such vivid detail all my senses engage first plane maybe an accident second plane who is Osama bin Laden Pentagon attacked on our own soil Flight 93 how many more planes

find the phone fingers shake uncontrollably dialing a Staten Island number all circuits busy fingers dial every Staten Island number in planner finally a trembling voice Hello where are they they being four of our New York City firefighter/policemen friends we don't know we can see the smoke from here not wanting to hang up for fear of losing contact with the voice at the other end of the connection clinging to every word please call back this is a nightmare please wake up each minute is an eternity waiting for the call about our friends hours pass then the call comes the ring of the phone fills the air with sheer panic my hand is frozen then moves in slow motion the news comes all four friends are safe but so many of their brothers, sisters, friends are unaccounted for now they are our friends, too days pass stories range from sheer horror to miracles out nation rallies together why does it take a tragedy five years later, where are we

09-11-06 5:30 a.m.

Staten Island called this morning five years later the voice still trembles

Dedicated to the Heroes of September 11, 2001

2006-09-09T14:11:00.000-07:00

The following was given as an invocation at today's Tailhook Awards Luncheon in Reno, Nevada. 09-10-06. 12:00 noon. It expresses the spirit of those who love and serve their country, military and civilian alike.

words of Commander John J. "Bug" Roach United States Navy 1944-1991:

We are a Nation.

We celebrate our birthday on July 4, 1776 with the Declaration of Independence as our birth certificate. The bloodlines of the world run in our veins because we offer freedom and liberty to all who are oppressed. We are many things to many people.

We are a Nation.

We sprawl from the Atlantic to the Pacific, to Alaska and Hawaii. Three million square miles throbbing with industry and with life. We are the forest, field, mountain and desert. We are the wheat fields of Kansas, the granite hills of Vermont and the snow-capped peaks of the Sierra Nevada. We are the Brooklyn Bridge, grain elevators in Nebraska and the Golden Gate.

We are a Nation.

We are 213 million living souls and yet we are the ghosts of millions who have lived and died for us. We are Nathan Hale and Paul Revere. We are Washington, Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. We are Lee, Grant, Abe Lincoln and George Bush. We are the famous and the unknown. We are presidents. We are paupers.

We are a Nation.

We stood at Lexington and fired the shot heard round the world. We remember the Alamo, the Maine, Pearl Harbor, Inchan and the Persian Gulf. When freedom calls, we answer. We left our heroic dead at Belleau Wood, on the rock of Corregidor, on the bleak slopes of Korea, the steaming jungles of Viet Nam and under the rubble of Beirut.

We are a Nation.

We are schools and colleges, churches and synagogues. We are a ballot dropped in a box, the harmonious voice of a choir in a cathedral, the crack of a bat and the roar of a crowd in a stadium. We are craftsmen, teachers, businessmen, and judges. We are laborers and nurses.
We are parents and we are children. We are soldiers, sailors and airmen. We are peaceful villages, small towns, and cities that never sleep.

Yes, we are the Nation and those are the things we are.

We were conceived in freedom, and dear God, if you are willing, in freedom we will spend the rest of our days. May we always be thankful for the blessings you have bestowed upon us. May we be humble to the less forutnate and assist those in need. May we never forget the continuing cost of freedom. May we always remember that if we are to remain the land of the free, we must continue to always be the home of the brave. May our wishbone never be found where our backbone should be. May we possess always the integrity,the courage and the strength to keep ourselves unshackled, to remain always a citadel of freedom and a beacon of hope to the world.

We are the Nation.

And this is our wish. . .this is our hope and this is our prayer. Amen

Dedicated to those heroes who died on September 11, 2001 and their families.

"WE WILL NEVER FORGET."

What Is This Man Doing ? - UPDATE

2006-09-08T11:08:00.000-07:00

Since I have intermittent (sp?) wireless service that lasts for only about 30 minutes at a time, I wanted to quickly give an update.

One prize* will be mailed to each of the following:

#1) The first entry to correctly describe what he's doing

#2) The entry with the "title" that made him laugh the most

#3) The entry with the "description/caption" that made him laugh the most

The contest will remain open until Wednesday 09-13-06 - 3:00 p.m. MDT

You may post as many entries as you wish.

Prizes will either be books from my library OR gift certificates from Borders or Barnes & Noble.

GLOB: A Dyslexic's Acronym for Blogging

2006-09-08T08:15:00.000-07:00

G- enuine
L- ove
O -f
B- logging

Objective #1: to change the negative connonation for the poor little word (acronym)
GLOB

Objective #2: to compile all the GLOB words that were were either posted, e-mailed
to me, or left on my answering machine (I loved hearing the smile in
your voices.)

Objective #3: to motivate readers to continue to post ACTUAL blog terms/definitions/
instructions/links/etc. to be compiled into a USEFUL Blog Dictionary
that will be published at a later date.

Concerning my use of the acronym GLOB, thanks for your sense of humor and your
ability to think outside the box from all of you. . . well, almost all of you. :)

A later post will be dedicated to those of us with a learning "difference" (I refused
to call them learning "disabilities" when I was teaching) and to share what it
requires to function in the verbal-linguistic world of blogging.

It has come to my attention that when someone hears/sees the word (acronym)
GLOB, it conjures up something negative. Two readers brought that to my
attention, but one joined in and contributed anyway. The other was quite
verbal about my misue of the word (acronym) GLOB.

To all of you, I send:
globs of good health
globs of sunshine + a little rain= rainbow
globs of happiness
globs of hugs
globs of everything that is good and nice

Here are a few of the contributions to the:

GLOBTIONARY

glibber - carefree globber

globber - one who globs

globbersphere - out there somewhere

globbospace - see globbersphere

glopionion - whatever you think

globneophyte - one who is new to globbing

globtitude- outlook on globs

gloptitude - aptitude of globs

You are welcome to add more GLOB terms, but especially to contribute
more real Blog terms that will be compiled in a Blog Dictionary for
those new to the Blog World.

Thanks for sharing and making us smile. Remember, it takes more
muscles to frown than it does to smile. Until next time,
I'll keep in Globbing through this Swamp.

CONTEST: What Is This Man Doing?

2006-09-05T18:20:00.000-07:00

Please give one title to these pictures and brief description of what you think
he is doing in all three. I apologize for them being "blurry" but I was
laughing so hard when I took the pictures, it was difficult to hold the camera
steady.

I'm not sure what the prize will be . . . maybe just some words of praise.

If you can help me with how to mail a prize to you, I'll do it.

Be creative and have fun !

It will be after September 14 before I can announce the winner. Please
note that I will not have access to a computer for a week.

Proof: Sunday Morning Cacophony

2006-09-05T17:36:00.000-07:00

Harrison and Junior
Harrison, Pacifier, and Bubba
Harrison and June Bug...notice: she didn't eat her bed !
Proof: There were three (3) count them THREE Boxers - all in the same photo.

June Bug and what's left of the foam rubber dog's bed Remnants of the dog's bed

Today I am "posting proof" of yesterday's conversation.

Sunday Morning Cacophony

2006-09-04T17:45:00.000-07:00

Setting: son-in-law and daughter's house
(neat as a pin and clean as a whistle)

Characters: Catherine-our daughter-baby due in November
Harrison - 22 month old grandson
(their Daddy / husband - is serving in Iraq)
Junior and Bubba (our Boxers)
June Bug (Harrison's Boxer - Junior's daughter)
Gammy (Swampwitch)
Pops (Swampwitch's husband)

I'll not specify who said what...that's irrelevant, but you'll have
it figured out if you keep reading. No quotation marks have
been used - it's ALL "conversation."

Where's Harrison?

Eating dog food.

Junior's drinking out of the toilet.

Flush him a fresh 'bowl' of water, please.

Who let the dogs in?

I think it's 'Who let the dogs OUT?'

I'm serious, let those dogs out NOW !

Is there any more coffee?

There's dog slobber on the couch.

Don't worry, it'll dry.

EE - Y-E-W - Y-U-C-K-Y

Where's Harrison?

Drinking someone's coffee and sharing it with Bubba.

Whose coffee is it?

It doesn't matter, take the coffee away from the baby and Bubba.

Too late, they finished it off.

Where's the dog's bed?

Who locked the bathroom door? There's no one in there.

Use a toothpick.

For WHAT???

To unlock the door.

Where's the key?

There isn't one.

Someone better find a toothpick, NOW!

Who farted? EE-Y-E-W -EE Y-U-C-K-Y

One of the dogs.

Yeah, right...one of the dogs.

Someone better find me a toothpick.

Who left the lid off the dog food can?

Doesn't matter. June Bug ate it all.

No, she didn't. Harrison helped her.

Where did all those pieces of foam rubber in the backyard
come from? . . . Hey, I found the dog's bed. . what's left of it.

Is there any more coffee?

No, Harrison and Bubba drank it all.

Where IS Harrison?

In the bathroom.

How'd he get in there?

He used a toothpick.

Is he taking a bath?

No, but his quilt is.

What's for breakfast?

Where's Gammy? (Swampwitch)

On the computer.

Get off the computer and fix breakfast.

Bite me.

Harrison has dog slobber in the hair.

EE-Y-E-W--EE Y-U-C-K-Y

It'll dry.

Who let the dogs in?

I think it's, "Who let the . . .

Don't even go there. Let those dogs out NOW !

So, now we know who let the dogs out.

Where's Harrison?

Sitting in what's left of the dog bed with Junior and Bubba.

Where's June Bug?

Eating foam rubber.

Where's Gammy? (Swampwitch)

Sitting in what's left of the dog bed with Junior, Bubba, and Harrison.

At least she's not eating foam rubber with June Bug.

Where's Dad? (Swampwitch's husband)

On the computer.

Why? He doesn't even know how to turn it on, much less use it.

Get off the computer.

Where's your blog?

My what?

I heard you had a blog.

It's not a blog. . . it's a GLOB.

What's that?

I'm not sure. . . ask WillowTree.

Who's WillowTree?

Some guy in Australia.

Where?

Where's Harrison?

Feeding yogurt to the dogs.

Dad, you've been here less that 18 hours. . .you've tried to
rearrange everything in my garage to my spice cabinet. . .
my house is trashed. . . your toiletries are sitting in the window,
your underwear in under the computer desk . . .

What's your point?. . . And, by the way we aren't leaving until
Monday night.

G-A-S-P

Silence. . . Dead Silence

End of Cacophony. . . for about 1 minute

Interpersonal Intelligence

2006-09-01T18:07:00.000-07:00

permission to use the photos granted by Junior and Bubba

These are my Boxers: Junior-with his Elmo and Bubba Boo Boo

They have nothing to do with today's lesson plan except that they do exhibit lots of interpersonal talent. They are the true definition of UNCONDITIONAL LOVE.

And Drum Roll Please: Posted between Request #1(Motorcycle Pictures)
and OOOPS 1-2-3-4 (Hanspic #4) is a post where I was practicing adding
a link....how it ended up there I don't know...think it has something to do when
I saved it and when I published it...haven't figured that one out yet.
Anyway, I didn't get the words (Multiple Intelligences) in there, but I did get
the web-site address...Click on it to see if it works for you and let me know.

NOW, for today's Lesson. . .

Today's Lesson Plan: Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart)

OBJECTIVE:

--to develop an understanding of the Interpersonal Intelligence by involving as many GLOBBERS as possible to join in and create a Dictionary for GLOBBERS.

PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED !!!

The interpersonal person is sensitive to others facial expressions, mood, feelings, voice, gestures, body language, temperament, motivations, intentions, writings, pictures...

Activity: Create a Dictionary for Globbers

Post as many terms that have to do with GLOBBING that will be published at a later date.

Terms may be submitted at any time in your posts.
Just label it: GLOBBER Dictionary entry.

Rules will be posted as they come to mind. Right now there aren't any except please
no off-color words.

For example:

Avatar: __________________ (I remember it by thinking "aviator.")
definition goes here

GLOBBERSPACE: where some of my photos and stories are hanging out

LINKS: ____________________ What I think I just learned to do.
definition goes here

GLOB: Blog- a place to visit other worlds, a place to express oneself, etc.

HTML: Heck if I know what it is

GLOBBERS: those who GLOB

TEMPLATE: ___________________

GLOBOSPHERE: see GLOBBERSPACE

Any word that comes to mind when you think of a blog... list it and
give a definition for it. You can include pronunciations, parts of
speech, use it in a sentence... etc.

Also, submit the name of your GLOB so that it will be published also.

PRIZES will be given but since I'm not in a
concrete/sequential/creative thinking mode right now, I may need
assistance in how to award them with that, too.

Please post your ideas as you think of them on my latest story,
so that GLOBBERS don't have to come back to this story to
enjoy your ideas. Be creative.

This has a two-fold purpose: to be fun and to be helpful

Interpersonal child quote: "You learn about your neighborhood when you
set up a lemonade stand."

Interpersonal adult quote: "Friends come and go...enemies accumulate."

2006-09-01T07:49:00.000-07:00

Sunrise over Lake Washington Sunrise over The Grand Mesa and Mt. Garfield

Songbird. . . These Sunrises are for you...

Today is the last day until Monday that I will be able to post. I don't even know if I can publish your posts from my location. SO, if you don't see your post, just know that I will do so sometime Monday. PLEASE don't abandon me. . . I'll be back . . . (Isn't that a line in some movie?)

Here's the plan: just as I did when I was teaching and had to be away from my "kiddos," I would leave a Lesson Plan for each day for the substitute teacher.

Hopefully, I will be able to leave several "Lesson Plans" on my GLOB. As usual, this will be random. The plans will be directed to those of you who have children, grandchildren, teachers, or you just like to slog through this swamp with me. My suggestion to to read just one "Lesson Plan" each day.

My objective: to hopefully put something out there that can be useful and fun.

"You can learn more about a man in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." ----PLATO

Just looking back for a minute, I had never seen a GLOB until August 7. (Ree's Confession of a Pioneer Woman) Thank you David !! ...and yes, WillowTree, I have written down your instructions and will work on how to LINK. Motivated by the lack of computer knowledge, I decided GLOBBING would be a wonderful way to learn more. . . and it's working . . .

Unfortunately, some of my first stories are not listed anymore ie. Hanstory #1. Does anyone know where it is?

See, I told you this would be RANDOM...

To SwampwitchSpawn and LAW... Thank you for being so tolerant and not shutting down my computer from your locations because I know you are both capable of doing that.

Now, I'm going to attempt to post my Lesson Plans.

See you Monday... Swampwitch, signing off.

Visual / Spatial Intelligence

2006-08-31T15:11:00.000-07:00

Today's Lesson Plan: Visual/Spatial Intelligence (Art Smart) :

OBJECTIVE: to learn to look at "things" in a different way

The Visual/Spatial Person:
---perceives what is around and translates it . . . creates and transforms mental imagery . . .
manipulates objects to see them from a different perspective . . .

Reading Activity*:

Sometimes your mind is
is quicker than your eye.
What do you think might be the
the funny thing about this paragraph?
Do you usually make the
the same mistake twice?

A PURPLE STORY **

Every child is an artist.
The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.
-----Pablo Picasso

In first grade, Mr. Lohr said my purple tepee wasn't
realistic enough, that purple was NO color for a tent.
That purple was a color for people who died. That
my drawing wasn't good enough to hang with the
others. I walked back to my seat counting the
swish-swish-swish of my baggy corduroy trousers.
With a black crayon, nightfall came to my purple
tent in the middle of an afternoon.
In second grade, Mrs. Winters said, "Draw anything."
She didn't care what. I left my paper blank, and
when she came around to my desk, my heart beat
like a tom-tom. She touched my head with her hand
and in a soft voice whispered, "The snowfall. How
clean and white and beautiful."

We must remember not to add to the destruction by
breaking a child's spirit.

Visual/Spatial Child's Quote:
"If you're going to draw on the wall, do it behind the couch."

Visual/Spatial Adult's Quote:
"If you can't fix it, VISUALIZE it."

In the first activity, did your eyes get ahead of
your brain?
How many times did you read the word:

IS ? 2 times ?
THE? 4 times ?

Naturalist Intelligence

2006-08-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Today's Lesson Plan: Naturalist Intelligence (Nature Smart)

OBJECTIVE:
--to use all 8 Multiple Intelliegences in the study of a tree
--to become aware of the beauty of nature
--to understand the changes in a tree
--(I didn't have a picture of a tree, see above, so use your imagination)

Naturalist Intelligence- the person is:

--sensitive to natural world...sees connections and pattern within the plant and animal kingdom...notices relationships in nature...

TREE VIDEO ACTIVITY:

Choose a tree in your area that changes with the seasons.

Video/Photograph the same tree during the seasons.

Multiple Intelligent TREE activities (can be adapted to any vegetation)

Verbal/Linguistic (Word Smart):
name parts of a tree - learn to say tree in other languages

Logical/Mathematical (Number Smart):
make a graph of different types of trees / compare sizes of the trees

Musical/Rhythmical (Music Smart):
listen to Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" - listen to wind in the trees

Bodily/Kinesthetic (Body Smart):
climb a tree - feel the bark - pick apples, cherries, pears, etc.

Visual/Spatial ( Art Smart):
create bark rubbing or leaf imprints - make tree collages

Interpersonal (People Smart):
rake leaves for elderly person - interview and draw a family tree

Intrapersonal (Self Smart)
visualize 1 tree, 2 tress, an orchard, green trees, purple trees...

Naturalist (Nature Smart):
plant a tree

Naturalist Kid Quote:
"Pants with pockets are better...you can carry more toads, snakes, and rocks."

Naturalist Adult Quote:
"The life expectancy of a houseplant varies inversely with its price and directly
with its ugliness."

**I didn't have any pics of trees handy, so just use your imagination
and pretend the two photos at the top of the page are trees.
At least they have something to do with "nature."

Mornin' Glory

2006-08-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday Cuz . . . This one's for you.

Mornin' Glories Lookin' West

“Mornin’ Glory”

MORNING: the first or early part of the day, from midnight, or especially dawn to noon

GLORY: great honor and admiration; fame; renown; worship; adoration; condition of highest
achievement

MORNING GLORY: a twining plant with heart-shaped leaves and trumpet-shaped flowers of
lavender, blue, pink, or white

“MORNIN' GLORY”: when I was a little girl, what my dad said to me every morning.

The favorite part of my day is morning. I love to watch the “sun-rise,” smell the fresh air, listen to the birds, play with my dogs, drink my coffee, and look at my morning glories. I especially love it when we have had a rain that gives everything a bath and fresh outlook for the day. Where I live, those rains are called ‘5-inch rains’ . . . one drop every 5 inches.

I do not have a green thumb. I do love to dig in the dirt, plant seeds, and watch something grow. When I first moved here, I watered anything that looked green. That year, I had a huge crop of tumbleweeds. They were the only things that were green around my house, and I didn’t know what they were. Twelve years later, I’m still chopping at the tumbleweeds. When they die and turn brown, they produce millions of stickers (seeds) for next year’s crop. If you light them with a match, they explode with a fury. I know, my neighbor called the fire department on me one year as I was ridding my yard of the pest. But enough about tumbleweeds and my neighbor. Using those two words in the same sentence makes it a little redundant. (I HAD a burn permit ! )

My morning glories are my shining glory as far as vegetation goes. I can grow them. They have wrapped their tender tendrils around my heart. And everything else in my backyard. Morning glories originated in the warmth of the tropics, where they grow rangy and scrappy enough to be considered pests. Morning glories are twiners; they reach out, pirouetting in their predetermined, typically clockwise direction, seeking something to grab hold of. The plants are genetically programmed to grow and unfurl in one direction only. The rabbits love the tender new shoots and it is difficult to protect them from being nibbled on.

Every morning I enjoy a rainbow of color in my backyard. Some say that each flower unfurls only once, then closes and dies, quickly being replaced by another. The flowers are at their peak this week, and I know it’s only a matter of time when the foliage will begin to turn yellow and the colorful blooms will disappear. I will be left with many dead vines, but hanging from them are little pods full of life. Tiny black seeds, to be planted next year, to paint another rainbow of colors, to greet me in the morning.

“Mornin’ glory,” he would gently say.

Blog Day

2006-08-31T09:19:00.000-07:00

OK, remember this picture just in case I can't get it to post on my Mornin' Glory story.

I just learned that today is GLOB day . . . Didn't know such a thing existed !! I don't know how to post a link yet, so bear with me, I'm learning.
I have about twenty pictures floating out there in GLOBBERSPACE, so if you see something that looks like mine, let me know and sent them to me. Better yet, just post them on your GLOB.

Here goes: (listed in aflabetikal order)

Another Chance Ranch
Are We There Yet?
Confessions of a Pioneer Woman (the first GLOB I ever read)
Dreamin' What Ifs
My Way
Nekked Lizard Lady
Now Hear This
Once Upon a Blog
One Crazy Stitcher
Silly Hilly
The Dust Will Wait
Zoo on Wheels

Enjoy...now I'm off to see if I can post the correct photo on the correct story.

OU Sooners - WEST

2006-08-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

OU Sooners - WEST
(7, 8, & 9 year-olds)
*photo used with permission of Coach R.

With college football rapidly approaching, I thought this might add to our anticipation.

2005 Season:
Undefeated : 9 games
Points scored: 187
Points Allowed: 31
2 games: defensive shut-outs
Yards rushing: 1,542
Yards passing 78
Total yards : 1,620
Interceptions: 8 (2 returned for touchdowns)
QB sacks: 9

2006 Season:
Undefeated: 8 games
Points scored: 239
Points allowed: 13
6 games: defensive shut-outs
Yards rushing: 1,574
Yards passin 108
Total yards : 1682
Interceptions: 12 (5 returned for touchdowns)
QB sacks: 21

These young men are a breath of fresh air.
By that I mean, you will hear:
“Yes Sir” “Yes Ma’am” “Thank You” “Please” “Excuse Me” . . .
Kudos to them, their parents, and coaches for guiding them
in such a positive way.

“A man can be as great as he wants to be.
If you believe in yourself and have the courage,
the determination, the dedication, the competitive
drive. . . and if you are willing to sacrifice the little
things in life and pay the price for the things
worthwhile, it can be done.”
---Vince Lombardi

Request #1

2006-08-29T20:01:00.000-07:00

When I was thinking about my blog, I tried to think of categories to place my MUSINGS into. Remember, I said it would be random? Well, I am stumbling through this, clueless as to what I'm doing. My daughters are holding their breath(s) that I don't embarrass them (AGAIN).
I had good intentions of following a format, lesson plan if you will. Being in the classroom for over 25 years causes one to follow a lesson plan. My GLOB was going to help me structure my life. I had received many e-mails about my GLOB. Some have not gone to the GLOB, but I will try to accomodate your requests.
My first request: OK, Swampwitch . . .enough of this Kum-ba-ya, sunsets, and lesson plans. Let's see something that really depicts what's going on.
So, you asked for it . . . here it is:
Now, here's where it gets tricky again. I don't have a clue where these pictures are going to end up. I want them to be on this post. And, yes, WillowTree, I know you have sent me directions, and I'm working on it. Nekked Lizard Lady, you're the best but you're over the river, through the woods, and on the Front Range . . .
Whoever is reading this is just going to have to understand, I'm trying to get the pictures with the post. If they don't show up in the right place, I'll keep working on it. Please be patient.
My hopes is to someday have a GLOB that's as good as Ree's. Stay tuned, because I hope to post about 7 names of GLOBS you will enjoy sometime this week. I'm working on how to add a link. That's tomorrow's objective.
In the meantime . . .
My suggestion: Be careful what you ask for darlin' . . . it might come true. No Kum-by-yas, Sunsets, or Lesson Plans today . . .
If anyone out there recognizes these two renegades, let me know.
Also, I think I've successfully changed the default for those of you who don't want to set-up a GLOBBER account. You can just log on as other, come up with a display name, and comment. BUT, please understand, it may take awhile to get any "off-color" comments deleted because of my schedule, so if there is something posted that's obtrusive, bear with me. Eventually, I'll get if off the GLOB.

Practice: Adding a Link

2006-08-29T07:44:00.000-07:00

Colorado Sunset - August 2006

This is just a practice for me to see if I can add a link.

It may or may not work . . . if not, I'll try again.

Thanks Willow Tree . . . you are such a patient teacher. :)

Read more about http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.htm that I referred to in:

Multiple Intelligences vs. Multiple Personalities.

Plus, I threw in a sunset for you to enjoy and for me to practice.

O-O-O-P-S 4-3-2-1

2006-08-29T05:58:00.000-07:00

OK,
So, I finally manage to successfully post the pics with the story but they are out of order and in the wrong place. Deal with it.

Hanspic #4

2006-08-29T05:48:00.000-07:00

Hanspic #3

2006-08-29T05:46:00.000-07:00

Hanspic #2

2006-08-29T05:45:00.000-07:00

Hanspic #1

2006-08-29T05:35:00.000-07:00

Hanstory #2

2006-08-28T13:59:00.000-07:00

Hans is a busy person. When he’s not ordering from a menu (See Hanstory #1), he’s also not reading the newspaper. He doesn’t have time. We receive The Daily Sentinel everyday. I guess that why it’s call The DAILY Sentinel. Consequently, we have a large collection of newspapers dating back to 2003. I –Kid – You – Not !! We have newspapers stacked in a little red wagon, plastic crates, cardboard boxes, some lying scattered on the garage door because when the stack reached 3 feet in height, it fell over. Almost every four days, he reminds me not to throw them away. That’s approximately 1,095 times he’s reminded me since we’ve been married.
(Logical / Mathematical for those MI people out there.
See Muliple Intelligences vs Multiple Personalities)

Every year we have a little party for our neighbors and other friends. It is important to me that my garage and all my closets are clean. I’m not sure why I feel that it’s necessary to clean all the closets because I’m pretty sure none of our guests look in them. But, I do know they see the garage because the refrigerator in the garage is stocked with beer.

Since we are both pack rats, after a year of rat-packing in the garage, it is possible that a car could be hidden in there. About 2 weeks before the party, the suggestion was made to clean the garage. That would be ME suggesting to HIM. I started 2 weeks early because last year 1 week was not enough time to accomplish all the things on my our list. He ended up buying a beautiful, blue, plastic tarp to cover the work bench because he ran out of time. If you are still reading at this point, you’ll know why he ran out of time if you choose to continue.

Surprisingly enough, he bought into the idea. I was elated ! He left for work about 6:00 the next morning promising he would start cleaning as soon as he arrived home from work that afternoon. I started to work on one corner of the garage and by noon had successfully organized, dusted, cleaned, swept, and mopped an area about 3 feet by 3 feet. At this rate, the garage will be clean for the party in 2007.

Here’s the problem: When I find something out of place, I take the something to its proper place. You know that saying, “There’s a place for everything and everything in its place.” . . . or something like that. Well, what happened was, when I took the something to it proper place, the proper place need to be straightened / cleaned / dusted / etc. I would find myself in another part of the house straightening, cleaning, dusting, etc. ing . . . You get the picture?

When he arrived home from work, he utters those oh so familiar words wives love to hear, “So, what have YOU done all day?” It really didn’t look like I had accomplished that much in the garage, but the closets were shaping up nicely.

After dinner (supper as it’s called where I’m from) we both headed to the garage, me with high hopes of him moving the heavier objects and throwing away HIS junk.

Remember what I said about the newspapers?

Here are 4 pictures that document the next 4 evenings. And if it looks as though he has on the same pirate t-shirt in every picture, he doesn’t. The first one says: “The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves.” The second one says, “Surrender the Booty.” I’m not sure what the others say. It’s not really that important.

Notice that in one of the pictures, he doesn’t even stop to come inside to eat dinner (supper). What a sweetheart.

At this point in the game, there are still many projects to finish in preparation for the party other than cleaning the garage.

I pulled the little red wagon loaded with 2 stacks of newspapers about 2 feet high each out of the way and covered it with the beautiful, blue, plastic tarp that he used to cover the bench last year.

NOTE TO SELF:

Next year buy about 7 more beautiful, blue, plastic tarps and cover the entire garage.
OR
Move the beer refrigerator outside because that’s why the guests go in the garage anyway.

I'm Learning Text

2006-08-27T21:30:00.000-07:00

OK...so I posted two pictures with titles but forgot
to add my text...please be patient, someday I'll
be talented Globbers like the rest of you.

Monument Sunset was taken August 24, 2006
from my driveway looking west toward the
Colorado National Monument.

Colors of the Evening was taken August 27, 2006
from my front porch looking toward Utah...
that's west, too.

I am so excited. I didn't figure this out by myself,
of course, but hopefully I will be able to remember
how to do this when my friend leaves.

Thanks Woody...you're great !

Visual / Spatial activity !!!

I'm Learning

2006-08-27T21:05:00.000-07:00

Monument Sunset
Colors of the Evening

Musical / Rhythmical

2006-08-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Musical: agreeable, assonant, choral, euphonic, euphonious
harmonious, lyrical, mellow, melodic, melodious,
pleasing, symphonic, tonal, tuneful, unisonant, vocal

Rhythmical: flow, movement, regular recurrance as of beat,
rise, and fall; regular recurrance of strong and
weak beats

Toward the end of my career, I used music EVERYDAY, no
matter what subject I taught. When my students entered the
classroom, some type of music was playing. We started with
Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. These were middle school students,
and they were NOT impressed. For three days, that was our
"theme song." I gave them bits and pieces of information about
the composer: He was born in Germany and studied under
Mozart. About 1800 he was slowly becoming deaf. This did not
stop him. To hear his own compositions, he sawed the legs off
his piano and placed it flat on the floor. He pressed his ear to the
floor and would bang on the keys to hear what he had composed.
By 1820 he had composed his greatest works. Some of my students
were motivated enough to continue the research. Most of them
wanted to hear more of Beethoven's compositions. A few were in
the office asking for "drop this class forms."

After several weeks of listening to other genres of music, Mariah
asked, "When are we going to listen to Beethoven's Fifth
Sympathy again."

Later in the year, Jason asked, "Was it Taco Bell who composed
'Canon Indeed?'

My students may not have had all the names of the composers
or their compositions exactly correct, but the majority of them
developed a new respect for many types of music.

I love music, but I can't carry a tune in a bucket.
(What does that mean?)
If a group asked me to sing "back-up" they would very quickly
ask me to "back-way-up."

My daughters cringe if I start humming or singing with the radio,
followed by a very loud, "Mom, stop !"

I'm sure when I sang "hush -little - baby" to them they were
thinking, "hush - little - mamma."

Today Objectives: Share a song / artist that you enjoy.
Choose a different genre to listen to for the
next several days . . . include your children
in this exercise.

Multiple Intelligences vs. Multiple Personalities

2006-08-25T15:17:00.000-07:00

At some point in my career, I discovered
Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory.
(Here is where the link would be if I knew how to do that.)
There are 8 Multiple Intelligences (MI) and I have added three of my own.
The MI Theory became an integral party of my life and not just at school.
I lived and breathed it. . . so much, that my husband labeled them my
8 Multiple Personalities. Actually, he didn't miss it by much.
In order to introduce them on my GLOB, I will share some of my favorite
comments paired with each Intelligence :

Logical / Mathematical:
If I die before doing everything on my list,
to whom should I leave my list?

Verbal / Linguistic:
Words are a powerful form of communication,
but they will never replace kisses and punches.

Musical / Rhythmical:
I march to the beat of a different drummer whose
location, identity, and musical training haven't
yet been established.

Bodily / Kinesthetic:
I knew something was wrong the minute you
bit my nose.

Interpersonal:
There's no room in this argument for both of us,
unless you move over just a little.

Intrapersonal:
Would you rather be in my mood or have me
come into yours?

Naturalistic:
At what point in my struggle with the tumbleweeds
will the tumbleweeds finally give up?

Visual / Spatial:
The only real world is the world seen by children.

Male Intellect: Quick ! Call the witch doctor !
My witch is sick !
(and in our case, a swampwitch doctor)

Female Intellect: My theory on housework: If the item
doesn't multiply, smell, catch on fire, or block the
refrigerator door, let it be.
No one else cares. Why should I?

Humor / Quick Wit: _________________________
( fill in the blank)

I will expound on this subject later. You've had enough for
today.

Today's Objective: Try to categorize your activities or
your children's activities into the different MI's.

Hanstory #1

2006-08-24T20:46:00.000-07:00

One of my categories on my GLOB will be "Hanstories."

VENT: belch, breathe, discharge, eject, emanate, emit, expel, explode
etc...

I need to VENT.
Not as in: The dryer VENT is so full of lint we could make a quilt.
But as in: If I don't VENT, I may explode.

Here is Hanstory #1: (There will be many.)

My husband has many talents. One of them being the manner in which he can antagonize a waitress. I've tried to figure out his thought process while he's determining what to order and have come to the conclusion, "There Isn't One." Keep in mind this is a man whose favorite meal is fried Spam and creamed corn. So, why is it so difficult for him to make a choice from a menu?
E-V-E-R-Y-S-I-N-G-L-E-T-I-M-E ?
There have been occasions when I felt my life was in danger sitting at the same table with him, looking into the eyes of an exasperated waitress, who is within easy reach of the knives on our table.
After much interrogation, with questions ranging from types of salad dressings to where and when was the halibut "captured" . . . and how. . . to the color of the sauce on the pasta (and being reminded once AGAIN that, "Yes, the marinara is the red one."), he takes a breath to continue. The waitress takes advantage of this opportunity and interjects, "Sir, I'm only here to take your drink order." She casts a look of utter despair my way, and I quickly ask for a glass of wine - any wine - whatever bottle the bartender can reach first. And, would she bring it NOW?
He begins to peruse a list of no less than 20 micro-brews, not to mention any number of the bottled variety. Thank goodness he is seated with his back to a chalkboard filled with the names of the daily concoctions or we could be here for breakfast.
"Ma'am, just go ahead and bring two glasses of that wine while you're at it, please."
She gives me a sly smile of relief, quick wink and is off and running before he realizes she has left the premises. His questions continue in her absence.
When she returns with two glasses of Beringer Zinfandel (yes, I am a cheap date), I gulp several swallows of the peach-colored "wine," stand up, and excuse myself to the ladies' room in order to escape the next barrage of questions about the beer.
"what color" "how dark" "how light" "ale" "stout" "lager" "wheat" "bottled" "brewed" "cost" "size" "which one tastes more like Shiner Bock?" You get the point !
(When someone asks me what kind of beer I like, my answer is, "COLD." )
By the time I return to the table, he is finally ordering.
He says: "I'll have an Alaskan Amber."
She says: "Sir, we don't serve Alaskan Amber."
He says: "Well, what kind of place is this anyway."
It's always a new experience when dining with him, but some things never change. The manner in which he taste-tests his food or drink by a little smacking of the lips, looking up to the right, then up to the left, tilting his head ear-to-shoulder to one side, then ear-to-shoulder to the other. Very much like an authentic food critic. Not a yes, not a no, just a back-and-forth motion. He crinkles his nose and says, "It's. . . ok." E-V-E-R-Y-S-I-N-G-L-E-T-I-M-E
It is my policy to always order after he does and to also order an entree that is totally different from him. Waitresses do have that special opportunity to seek revenge and spit on your food. I don't want her to confuse who ordered what.
By the time our waitress manages to answer all his questions, listens to all his suggestions about preparation, and document his order, most of the wait staff has meandered by our table just for a look/see . . . then sigh with relief that we weren't seated at any of their tables. I know that by now we are the talk of the kitchen and all of the tables around us.
Now, seemingly on the verge of a nervous breakdown, the waitress tries to smile (it resembles a snarl), looks at me, and with a quiver in her voice asks, "And what will you be having tonight, ma'am?"
With no hesitation, I reply, "I'll have the fried Spam and cream corn, please."

Stay tuned for: "How much do I leave for a tip?"

TODAY'S OBJECTIVE: Just VENT . . .

GLOBBING . . . How do I start?

2006-08-24T14:43:00.000-07:00

A little more than a year ago, I had never heard the word BLOG. That's GLOB or GOLB for those of us who are lysdexic. OK, well maybe I'd heard it, I had just never looked at at GLOB, much less posted to one. And no, I've not been living under a rock. I had just been living in my own little world. I was visiting my oldest daughter and her boyfriend in D.C. when I learned what a GLOB was and have since then, become more and more interested. Every day, I create something in my head (cobwebs) that I want to share but have never been serious about REALLY sharing my cobwebs in a GLOB. That is, until TODAY.

So here goes.

My FIRST motivation for doing this: I am a retired teacher and loved my job. Actually, I loved my 'kids' (A loving way to refer to my students.) I loved creating lesson plans that were interesting, different, motivational, creative, and on and on. I loved seeing the "light bulb go off" in their eyes. I miss all that. I still "create lesson plans." I just don‚t write them down and "share" them anymore. Lessons plans provided structure for my day. I now realize I still need that structure and feel that creating a GLOB will fill that need.

My SECOND motivation: At my age, I'm finding I can't remember as well as I once did. Not that I ever had a good memory, but it is failing me to a certain degree. It has been proven that continuing to learn, study, and try new activities helps. Plus, it might make me a more interesting person. After having checked out several GLOBS, I have seen the networking that takes place. Not to mention the fun I'm having doing this.

My THIRD motivation: I don't have a clue how to put a picture up - OR record an audio clip, or maybe even to post back, but I want to learn. So, I will need some help and my new globberfriends will need some patience.

Just a little BLURB about me:

I signed my first teaching contract in 1972 when I was 19. At this point, some of you may be doing the math. How old is she? And possibly asking, did she have a credible license to teach.

Chronologically I am—well, you do the math. . Developmentally is yet to be determined. The answer to the second is: YES.

You will find spelling, capitalization, punctuation, grammar, etc. errors in my GLOB. My singular subject may not match my plural verb. My tenses may never match. Feel free to correct me. I can handle constructive criticism.

More BLURBS will come later.