NAME THREE CHARACTERS....

I was tagged by kookiejar for this fun and thought-provoking meme. I think they are supposed to be book characters, but I couldn't think of a lot so I came up with movie characters.

NAME 3 CHARACTERS......

...you wish were real so you could meet them.

1. Father Tim in the Mitford series of books.

2. "The Thin Man" detective in the series of movies, played by William Powell.

3. From the movie "Roman Holiday" - the reporter played by Gregory Peck. If I were the princess (Audrey Hepburn) I would have given up my throne and run away with him.

...you would like to be.

1. Heidi as in the book of the same name. Yes, really. I want to live in the mountains in a little chalet and sleep in the loft.

2. Meg Ryan's character in "Sleepless in Seattle" so I could live on a houseboat in Seattle with Tom Hanks.

3. Meg Ryan's character in "You've Got Mail" so I could marry wealthy Tom Hanks and maybe get my little book store back.


...who scare you.

1. The troll who asks the billy goats "who is trip trapping over my bridge" in the children's story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." The picture of this troll in my book (which I still have) terrified me for years. I still don't like to look at him.

2. Some of the characters in the books by one of my favorite writers - James Lee Burke.

3. Frankenstein (monster, not the doctor ) in the original novel by Mary Shelley.

NOW TAG 3 PEOPLE. I tag: Lynne and any others who want to join in.

Impatient for Impatiens

Spring is definitely here at the beach! My husband hired someone to get the yard in shape and I am happy. He even asked me if I wanted flowers planted. I like the idea of gardening, but when it comes to actually doing it myself, well, I always have other things to do.

When I get home today I am curious to see the white impatiens he was planning to get at the garden center. I will also get some red geraniums to go with our red front door. The grass is a mess -- so many weeds -- but if we cut it down, it looks like grass. Ha, ha.

I have been totally engrossed in reading Cara Black's mysteries. I am currently reading "Murder in Clichy." This is the fourth one of her Aimee Leduc mysteries I have read. It is situated in Paris and the writing is interspersed with French words and interesting tidbits about the city. Since Paris is my favorite place, I am enjoying her books immensely. I have put other books on hold for now.

I was the same way about James Lee Burke's books. I have read almost all of them. They are somewhat violent and I am surprised that I like them so much. Apparently, I like mysteries more than I thought I did.

Happy Trails and Happy Reading!


P.S. No white impatiens! Maybe tomorrow.

Isn't this the craziest looking building? It is the Zwaaendael Museum in Lewes, DE. I have lived near this building for 14 years and went into it for the first time a few days ago. It was built in 1931 to commemorate the 300th anniversary of the first European (Dutch) settlement in the state. The design copies the City Hall in Hoorn, The Netherlands.

The weather here has been crummy for a few days - cloudy, a little rain, chilly. The kind of day that you just want to curl up with a good book. Did I do that, though? No. Other than a meeting this morning and a volunteer errand this afternoon, don't ask me what I did to fill up the day. Just one of those lost days, I guess. Oh, I did do something -- just remembered. I put away my Easter stuff. I did accomplish something!

Happy Trails!

My Prayer

Just a note to add my prayer to the poor families, students and friends of the killed and injured in the massacre at Virginia Tech.

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear
no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me " from Psalm 23

HISTORY QUIZ

Lynne tagged me to do this meme. It is fun -- just follow the instructions and learn something about your birthdate and then tag 5 other bloggers.


1. Go to Wikipedia and type in your birthdate, no year.

November 22

2. List 3 important events.

1859 - Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection"

1963 - John F. Kennedy assassinated.

1968 - The Beatles release "The Beatles" commonly known as "The White Album"

3. List 2 births.

1921 - Rodney Dangerfield

1945 - Billie Jean King

4. List 1 Death

1980 - Mae West

5. List 1 Holiday or Observance

Feast of Saint Cecilia (Roman Catholic Observance)

Have fun!! Look out - I am tagging:

kookiejar at Fraternity of Dreamers,
eileen at Books and Hooks,
bookfool at Bookfoolery & Babble,
Literary Feline,
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

PARASKAVEDEKATRIAPHOBIA

FRIDAY THE 13th. Today is the day. I did not think that I was very superstitious about the day, but I have postponed a drive up to Pennsylvania (about 100 miles) until tomorrow.

A British Journal of Medicine concluded in a recent study that it was better to stay home on a Friday the 13th because there are more motor vehicle accidents!

Jesus was crucified on a Friday the 13th and Judas was supposedly the 13th person at the Last Supper.

Have a safe and lucky day everyone. The next Friday the 13th is in July.

GUESS WHAT?

Is this too easy or can anyone guess what this is?

Sweet Treats!!

My daughter told me how to make these -- aren't they cute??


First bad batch -- stayed in oven too long!!

Take square little pretzels, put a vanilla/chocolate Hershey's kiss on top and put in 200 degree oven for about 5 min. When they get glossy, take them out and put the M&M's on top. Refrigerate for a little bit to harden. Don't do what I did on the first batch -- don't wait for them to melt in the oven. They will just get hard. They taste just like chocolate covered pretzels, of course. My daughter puts them in little cellophane bags with ribbons and a tag for little gifts.

These would be fun to make for kids on a rainy day.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER DOLLAR??? AND OTHER MISCELLANY

Another day, another dollar. Sure. I am a Realtor and things are slow for me. Not for other people necesssarily, but certainly for me. I know they will pick up soon -- I just know it. I am not a big-time agent, just me in my small-time way.

I have been reading a lot of blogs and I see how much time is put into doing them. Some are so creative and informative and just full of human interest things. Maybe I should put more of my energy into doing my own blog. I think I am just in a real personal slump.

Easter was nice. Went to Easter Vigil Saturday night. During the day I colored some eggs just for fun. Ken (my husband) likes hardboiled eggs. Easter dinner was just the two of us -- clam dip and crackers, salad, baked ham, macaroni and cheese (made with extra sharp Canadian cheddar the way Ken likes it), corn casserole (made with Jiffy cornbread mix). The Easter bunny also left goodies for Ken. So much for my Weight Watchers! Actually, when I weighed myself today I had not gained anything.

Happy Trails, everyone!

HAPPY EASTER

Everyone, have a blessed and peaceful day.

Here is a picture of the egg wreath I made. I got the idea and instructions from a blogger and now I can't find her to give her credit.

I had never used a glue gun before and am not a "crafty" person, but it sure was fun. I was very proud of myself when it was finished. I may be making more visits to Michaels Craft Store.

April Snow

Holy Week

I can't believe it has been a whole year since I converted to Catholicism. My entire family was shocked -- most especially my husband. I used to be so critical of the Catholic Church -- my father was and my grandmother was and my husband IS. But I love it for all its warts. I got my palms on Palm Sunday, Thursday is Holy Thursday and then Good Friday and Saturday night is the Easter Vigil. I am helping to host the reception for the new converts Saturday night. That is when they go through the very long Mass and become a Catholic. It is a very impressive experience.

The Great "Irish Eyes" Fire of 2007

Remember "Cheers"? Well, my husband and his cronies have their very own Cheers. It isn't in Boston, but it is, or was, in Lewes, DE. It is popular all year, but especially in the summer because it is on a canal with a marina that leads to the bay. Everyone goes there - fishermen, doctors, lawyers, moms, everyone. It is like Cheers in every way with its characters, tragedies and comedies.

A few nights ago it burned to the ground. Ken woke me up in the middle of the night because he had heard the news on the radio. I thought he had a nightmare, but no, it was true. He and his friends are now scrambling for a new place since this one probably won't be rebuilt for a long time. I drove over there yesterday to take a look. It is sad for the employees. They are hanging around the burned out shell as if they don't know where to go now. There will be a fundraiser Saturday to help them out.

When Will Kermit Be Here?

Every year we have frogs (most of which I have named Kermit) in our little manmade pond. I actually prefer turtles, but we have frogs. When my grandsons come to visit they can spend hours playing at that pond. Of course, they eventually fall in. The temp today was about 80 and I am now on the lookout for the FROGS. Then I know that Spring is really here.

What is a Meme and Other Questions

Some of this blog jargon is foreign to me. What is a "meme"? There are other words I have seen which I can't remember now. Do I need a blog dictionary?

Pursuant to my last post, the "business with friend" issue has been settled. Not as fairly (by far) as I would have handled it if the shoe were on the other foot. But she has always been a very good friend and I would hate to lose her over this, so I will be the better person and bite the bullet.

Oh! I want to share with you an experience I had today at my dermatologist appointment. I have been going to this doctor for maybe five years. It all started yesterday when I drove an hour to the appointment which turned out to be today! I elected to return today rather than wait another hour for him to fit me into the schedule yesterday. When I signed in, they gave me a form to fill in to provide my credit card information which they said would be kept on file to bill the patient for the visit (following any credit from an insurance company). This just hit me the wrong way. I said I would not give them the information. They refused to allow me to see the doctor. I asked. I insisted. I demanded. My voice rose. They said the doctor would not see anyone who did not provide the information. I demanded again. Yes, I got a little nasty. They absolutely were refusing to even let me speak to the doctor. Finally (after it was obvious that I wasn't leaving), they gave in and I had my visit with him. He patiently explained his policy of not doing any billing in the future and it would all be handled this way. He took a lot of time to explain his theory, experiences, blah, blah, blah. I told him I disagreed with his policy, but respected that it was his office to run as he chose. He apologized for his front desk staff and I will probably return for my next three month appointment, with credit card in hand. Why, when I disagree so strongly on principle? Well, I have a serious and rare type of psoriasis on my fingers and he has been used to treating me for so long now, that I would hate to start over with a new doctor. He is an hour away, but I fired my last dermatologist who had an office close to home because he was a true nut case.

What is it with me and doctors? Has anyone had a doctor who wanted to keep their cc card number on file?

"The Pleasing Hour" by Lily King

I have just finished this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. Couldn't put it down. This is her first novel (published in 1999) and she now has a second which I will get at the library. An au pair living with a family on a houseboat on the Seine in Paris for the school season....around every corner something new.... and what I thought was a surprising ending. Beautifully crafted, sensual, elegant. Has anyone read this?

"Have no friends not equal to yourself." Confucius

I have been totally annoyed lately about a business issue. Hint: Never get involved in business ventures with a friend. A friend and I, along with another person, formed a partnership. We decided to dissolve this partnership a few days ago and the friend was surprised that I expected $ that resulted from a sale that occurred while we were partners. Anyway, I would have paid the $ to the other party, without question. Hence, the quote from Confucius. The friendship will continue, but live and learn.

What a miserable day today. Windy, chilly, rainy. A good day to stay inside with a book which is what I have done so far, along with reading other people's blogs. I think I need to go eat some chocolate.

Violetlady At Home Today

This is a photo of our new bandstand in downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE. This is the culmination of four or five years of "Streetscape." This was done in phases each year with much arguing among town officials and citizens and business owners. Believe me, this is an improvement over the old bandstand.

See "Dolles" candy store on the boardwalk -- a true landmark of this beach town. It is on postcards, artists' paintings, etc. To the left is Kohr Bros. Ice Cream -- another favorite.

Also: Looking down the mile long boardwalk.

Bad Things in Blog World

Did anyone realize that if you click on "Next Blog" that you will randomly come to porn sites? I was pretty disgusted. I had read some AOL blogs and the same thing was there. I, of course, heard about all this, but when I saw it I was really grossed out. All the more reason to watch our children like hawks when they are online.

"A ministering angel shall my sister be." William Shakespeare, 'Hamlet'

Here is my sister and me several years ago when we took our first vacation together since we were children. I discovered then that my sister is more than a sister. She is my best friend. Only a sister knows you inside out, your shared history, your happiness and sorrow, and who shot the peas across the dining room table and who got blamed for it.