A Swarmy Day

Watch out! They may be hovering outside your window—and they’re carnivorous!  I posted a warning sign on a door in our house that read Beware: Ladybug. About twelve ladybugs clung to our window screen and we trapped one in the bathroom. “Trapped” means one of the kids placed the bug there for safekeeping. Who doesn’t like a few ladybugs? When temperatures drop they seek out warm places to hibernate. I just hope they don’t settle for our house. Several ladybugs are cute, but when the number swells to several hundred, cute becomes unsettling. Check out this swarm:  

                                         http://youtu.be/PnywhC36UVY

 I can think of several words to describe the dark cloud—amazing, mesmerizing, and eerie.  It reminded me of the famous movie about birds; they were a naughty flock. A large quantity of anything often amounts to more than you want or need. On the other hand, how would you finish this sentence? I can never get enough ______________ because______________.     

Home: Yesterday and Today

Can we go home again? Can you revisit the place where you grew up? I have limited access to my childhood home and occasionally I’ll go back to reminisce.  The kitchen reminds me of how I used to look up at the bottom of the cabinets. I marvel at the living room space where I played games, decorated the Christmas tree and did cartwheels. It seemed roomy back then, but looks far too small for my cartwheels now.  I even recall the shiny, pink bathroom tiles that spiced up the second floor. Snazzy! Are you feeling nostalgic yet? See if this video and its lyrics bring back memories.  

                                        

                                         http://youtu.be/nVauwoYspTQ

 No, I don't know this family, but what a touching tribute for a childhood home! Is home where you live, where you spend holidays, a place in your memories, or somewhere else?  Where is home for you?             

Pumpkin-Filled Glee

It’s that time of the year again—pumpkin time! Pumpkins rule during this season. We enjoy pumpkin-flavored hot beverages, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin donuts, and let’s not forget pumpkin bread.  Our kids baked two loaves on Monday. We devoured both of them by Wednesday, so they baked two more on Thursday. We’ll have to exercise everyday for the rest of the month to burn off our extra calories. If you’re up to your waist in pumpkin, check this out:

                                              http://youtu.be/QNhg93qeQ2w

I wondered what happened to ginormous, leftover pumpkins. One guy said he used a boatload of chemicals to cultivate his mega-pumpkin. If you can’t eat them, why not sail them? It’s fun and makes good use something that’s destined to wither away. Remember the old expression about one person’s trash being another person’s treasure? What have you seen cast aside only to be restored for another purpose?       

 

Where Is The Voice?

 What does the fox say? That’s the title of a crazy music video that’s gone viral. If you check out the video, you’ll hear the fox say a bunch of gobbledygook, but that hasn’t stopped people from listening. Two Norwegian brothers created the song for fun, but nobody laughed during the initial performance. The brothers say their song is nonsense, but it does offer a cultural message. The poor fox isn’t assigned a sound, and like our marginalized populations, often goes unheard. Despite the world’s social injustices, thank goodness brave people still speak out.  Take a look:

                                             http://youtu.be/1HxU-nfRsKk

How do we multiple multiply that level of kindness around the world? Despite being shot in the head for supporting the education of females, teen-aged Malala continues to represent a message of change, peace and reconciliation. We’re all passionate about an issue or charity. Here’s a chance to champion your cause. What do you say?      

 

 

Beyond the Essential Budget

What’s necessary and what’s not? Years ago I faced that question when I purchased my first car. I responded with my purse by skipping the fancy schmancy power windows option. Boy, was that a mistake! I spent the next several years exercising my left bicep. Uh no! Here comes a toll. Roll down the window. Roll up the window. Fast food drive-thru? Roll down the window, roll up the window. You get the picture. We’ll be frugal initially, but then pesky inconveniences force us to consider paying for improvements and upgrades. 

Here’s where we could go on a lengthy tirade about the government shutdown situation, but I think we’re on the same page—we don’t like it!  Unless we campaign for political office, what’s a citizen to do? Three things: complain, contact our representatives, and control our own household spending. See if this in your budget:             

                                         http://youtu.be/RTvu1gySObU

Can humans eat gold? My brief research indicated that pure gold is safe for human consumption. Next question: Why would anyone want to eat gold?  Answer: For the thrill of it. Every day we hear a news story about someone taking a risk for a thrill. What gives you a thrill and what’s the cost?          

Learning Patience in an IPhone World

How do you learn patience? Make a call using a rotary phone. It could take fifteen seconds or more to complete a call on that ancient technology, which still took too long.  Zeros took the longest to dial, and our old phone number had two of them. Imagine dialing seven numbers and hearing a rapid click-click-click-click after each one. I don’t know how we stayed sane.

Typewriters can teach lessons in patience, too. Every student old enough to submit a typed school report should experience the typewriter, along with its correction tape and messy white-out. For extra fun, remove the paper from the typewriter, then make the correction. Best wishes in getting the paper and sentences to line up straight again. Oh, the memories! Oh, the drudgery! Take a look at other contraptions that made our lives better:      

                                         http://youtu.be/ZABicLf80xY 

The mom had the cassette ready, and she probably has a huge stash of tapes stored in a closet. Remember how cassette tapes squeaked when they aged and unraveled if you mishandled them? Even today’s technology can be frustrating once the Internet connection shuts down. Sometime we learn the best lessons through our most exasperating moments. What has helped you learn patience?               

Hot Topics

Can you feel the winds of change? They’re chilly, especially in the morning. If you haven’t checked the calendar yet, fall is just around the corner. It’s officially sweater/light jacket weather. Get ready for bonfires, marshmallows, hot chocolate and layers of blankets on the bed. I doubt our summer ended the way anyone expected. Did the temperature ever reach ninety degrees in August? Are you disappointed? Take a look at one experience we missed:

                                         http://youtu.be/WWWYP-J0z5E 

 Their feet stuck to the street in the heat. That’s hot. Too hot! After seeing that, I’ll be the first to promise to stop complaining about the weather. Although I prefer the less extreme seasons like fall and spring, I can appreciate mild summer thunderstorms and a snowflake’s intricate design.

Which seasonal elements in nature do you most appreciate?