Just Wondering ....a Wee Survey

Ok, ok - I know my next post was to be a continuation of the Poultry Show.

I have one more video to share with you, and a few shenanigans.

I hope to have that post up later today or tonight.

I'm still up in my nightgown, here at 9:36 in the am - feeling like the cold that I've been playing dodgeball with for a month has finally whacked me right upside the head.

Drats.

I'm off today.

As in - I have no plans, and no where to go.

I get really excited about days like this.

And I am wondering - what is your first thought when you have a day like this?

Mine is - ooooo - I can get the cannister vacuum out and get in the corners.

Oooooooo - I can organize my dishes.

Oooooooo - I can fold all my napkins so that they are uniform and put them in my new old buffet.

Is that normal?

Shouldn't I be all like ....ooooo I can knit, or read or visit a friend, or go to the mall or something else?

So....my survey is this...

When given the gift of day like this - what do you DO?

Not - what you'd LIKE to do - but what do you actually DO?

Cause I like the idea of reading or knitting or volunteering or something - but I end up cleaning and organizing.

Your turn....

National Poultry Show and Other Drivel...

Can I just begin by saying that it's 5:28am and I've been sitting up in my chair messing with photos since 4:15 and I'm starting to get antsy.

It feels like the day is getting away from me.

Yes - I know how ridiculous that sounds.

Another thing that is weighing heavy on my mind is the price of pecans.

Seriously?  $11.49 for 10 oz?

Pecan Tassies will be scarce this year I'm afraid!

Ok - now that I have that off my chest - let's talk chickens.

Here's a few more pictures of some fabulous birds at the show.

I still have to tell you all about Lynda - and our shenanigans.

You'll be happy to know I didn't subject her to a hell run.

We stopped.

Often.

I hope that in the video I shared on the last post, you got a glimpse of the noise level at the Columbus Ohio National Poultry Show.

I loved it!

Music.

The smell - not so much.  It wasn't as smelly as I thought it would be - but it was still fragrant.

For those of you that aren't familiar with chicken droppings - consider yourself lucky.

I have to begin by talking about these birds.

Modern Game Hens.

What in the name of me?

I was mesmerized.

This could possibly fulfill my hankerings for a crow.

Have you ever in all your born days seen such a sight?

I couldn't stop looking at them.

They are the super models of the poultry world.

In sharp contrast - welcome to my world.
The land of fluffy butts.

There was some serious butt fluffing going on in this place.

People were brushing the chickens combs with toothbrushes - oiling feathers - moisturizing combs.

It's madness.

Is it just me or does this bird look like it's wearing sunglasses?

I keep singing 'Can't read my, can't read my, no he can't read my POULTRY face - ma ma ma ma' - sung to the tune of Poker Face by Lady Gaga.

I bought a decal for the back of my Jeep that reads 'Crazy Bird Lady on Board' and 'Chicken Addict'.

Now I just need a magnetic yellow caution sign that reads:

'Stay back - show birds on board'

I know what you are all thinking - what did she bring home??

You are sitting, right?

Nothing.

Yep.

Nothing.

I know!  I can't believe it either.

Lynda brought a couple of birds home though - and the pictures are on Aaron's camera!

Here is a picture of Lynda for now, just so you know she does exist.

I have to bring this post to a close now - the sky is beginning to lighten, and I have to go tend the birds.

I hate burning daylight!  On my next post I'll show you a few more photos of the show - more about Lynda - the meeting of a dear old friend - I'll talk about how I feel that I'm in sackcloth and ashes stage - my Starbucks application - and I know I still have about 20 questions to answer from 'Ask the CoopKeeper'

Never a dull moment.

Time for some moving and shaking.
Have a wonderful day!

Stay Tuned.....

                                                               It's 5:52 am.

There's a small rooster crowing in my bedroom.

My new friend is in the shower, preparing for her long journey home.

It's been a wonderful weekend here in Coopkeeperland.

Just a tease of what's to come.

I was here this weekend.

It was loud.

Rather odoriferous.

Some serious poultry adoration taking place.

Poultry heaven.

Stay tuned.

Join the Pie Gang!

Alright peeps...I've been lost in a flurry of flour lately....and preparing for this gal's visit.

Met her through blogging, and she's coming up to spend the weekend with me, as we embark on a road trip to the Columbus National Poultry Show in Ohio.

7000 chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys and God only knows what else up in one room.

Law.  I can't imagine the noise!  The stench!  The sheer joy!

I've promised her it wouldn't be a hell run...

Did you know my nickname is Pie?

Glen's been calling me that for 27 years now.

I'm not quite sure, but I think I've perfected pie crust.

I need a badge.

Pie crust to my liking anyway....

I was hoping to get a few of you to try it, and let me know the results you've had.

Real women roll dough.

That's all I'm sayin'.

You'll need four sheets of waxed paper.

This is a very unconventional recipe.

3 3/4 cups flour

7/8 cups peanut oil (I haven't tried substituting corn oil yet, but plan to try)

3/4 cup half and half

1/4 cup sugar

generous pinch of salt

In a smallish bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt.

Pour peanut oil over it, then the half and half.

Barely mixing it with a spoon, folding it over on itself, just until it will hold together.

Plop it onto the wax paper, shape in a ball (gingerly) and cut in half.

Put one half in the fridge whilst you work on this half.

You are going to gently roll your dough inbetween the waxed paper, two sheets on the bottom, staggered, two on the top staggered.  (I'm just realizing I really didn't take enough photos!)

Notice the marbling in the crust?  You want to see that.

I like to roll the crust up on the rolling pin, carefully peeling off the waxed paper.

It's easy then to lift the pie crust and lay it over the pie pan.

Fill your pie as desired.....

Then top it, repeating the steps you followed for the bottom crust.

This is by far the flakiest, tastiest pie crust I've ever made, and easy.

I've tried Pioneer Woman's crust.  It was easy to work with - but the flavor was lacking.

I've tried an all butter crust.  I cursed twice making it.  Very difficult.

I've tried recipes with eggs, vinegar, etc....

This is by far my favorite!

Now, let's talk about flutin', cause a pie has got to look as good as it tastes.

This be how I do it.

I hereby declare this the official pie gang symbol, and pink the color.

Word.

Isn't she a beauty?

This one's apple.

I baked it a few days ago.

I beseech thee to bake a pie.

I admonish you to roll crust.

I beg you to try this crust recipe.

Pie making is quickly becoming a lost art....

say it ain't so.

Today I baked a sour cherry pie, and don't you know - an old friend stopped by - the scent must have wafted out the house and drawn her in.....

All That and a Bag of Cat Chow

This morning I awoke at 4:30 am in a wonderful non-hormonal mood.

Got Glenco off to work, and then attempted to lay back down for an hour before I really had to get up and get ready for a 7:30am meeting at the school for Aaron.

There was no more sleep to be had.  I tossed and turned and sang songs in my head.

"I'm alright - don't nobody worry 'bout me" - where did that song come from!?

Perhaps I am still hormonal.

I kept looking out the window cause it seemed like there was a light on in the camper.

I oftentimes think a bum will take up residence in The Squirrel unbeknownst to me.

After attending the meeting, I took off to Menard's, our local big box home improvement store.

I'm more of a Home Depot/Lowe's kinda girl, but today, I needed my Menard's fix.

Furnace filters and toilet seats were on the list.

Glenco is going to fuss at me for getting a new toilet seat, the one we have now is just fine, except for the fact that the little clippy things that hold the danged seat on won't stay down.  I've even tried hot glue. It feels dirty and weird, and I wanted a new seat.  $20.

Furnace filters were next - $20 for the best filter there.  I wanted the best filter there cause of dust allergies and touch of asthma I have.

Passing the cat and dog food, I decided to get a large bag of each and take to the Animal Shelter here in town.  $40

Y'all don't know that I found a huge German Shepard dog abandoned at the Jewel store in Chicago a couple of weeks ago.  I brought that stinkin' dog home in my lap while my sister drove.  She was gorgeous and the kind of dog that would be your best friend for the rest of it's life, or yours, which ever came first.  I wanted to keep her, I did - but it's just not conducive to my lifestyle.  Please don't hate.  I took her to the shelter, since it's a no kill facility. I felt that if Animal Control in Chicago had been called, she would have been put down.  I kept up on her progress at the shelter, and don't you know within two days she'd found a home.  That dog still tugs at my heart strings.  I can barely look at the photo.  Law.
*after the first couple of comments, I'm amending this to add that dog was indeed abandoned.  No collar, emaciated, matted fur and long nails - if she'd looked well cared for I would have acted differently*

Anyhow, all of that to say this.  When I got to the shelter I didn't want to give them the cat food.  I kept reasoning to myself that the dog food was enough, that I was low on cat food myself and I should keep it. I mean I'd just spent $40 on toilet seats and furnace filters.  I'm a frugal girl - yes, I am, I'm on a budget and I have financial goals. The more I thought about it, the more frustrated I became with myself that I was being so greedy.  All those poor little cats at the shelter.  I was determined to give that flippin' cat food no matter how much it hurt me.

And it did hurt me.

And I'm ashamed to say that.

I keep thinking about this, and realized that I must be afraid.

Afraid of not enough.

I scolded myself for having such little faith in a loving God that would surely continue to provide for me, and my cats, even if I had 30, and trust me - I could - it's not that far fetched.

Then I came home and read Shannan's post from last night.

More heart pricking.

More realizing that it's not all about me.

And so often, all I do is think about me.

What do I want to do?

What is my destiny?

Yesterday I decided that my destiny was to be broken and poured out for others.

To be available.

Maybe it's not being a missionary to the world, but to my family and friends.

Maybe it's not feeding the hungry in city shelters, but it's feeding the hungry on my own street, in the shelters of their own lives.  Hungry for food, hungry for love, hungry for acceptance and assurance.

I'm always waiting for the Aha! moment where I'm going to no longer want a new toilet seat and feel absolutely willing to give endlessly without fear - sometimes I'm there, and sometimes I'm not.

And that's OK.

Because I want to be there.

And I think that pleases the heart of God.

Amen.

Nuts and Nipples

image from Google search

I'm in a weird place today.

I feel squirrely.

I'm going off my nut.

I can't focus.

I'm excited.

And hormonal.

I'm like a chicken with it's head cut off.

And I feel like I'm catching a cold.

There's much to do and I want to do it.

I want a pet squirrel and I still want a pet crow.

I have the afternoon free and my mind is racing on what to do first.

I have a feeling pies, laundry, dusting and chicken feces will be involved.

A few notes from yesterday's blog...

I wanted to tell Donna in MO that I bow to you and your ability to get from Joplin to Six Flags in under four hours.  I have no words.  I am much nicer to friends than I am family members when it comes to travel, so chances are, if you did go on a hell run with me, it wouldn't be too bad.  We could stop twice.

I also wanted to address the basket that y'all keep talking about.

Yes, I did make it.

I didn't make it that day however - it was a basket I made a few years back during my 'basket phase'.  I go through a lot of phases - you have to know this about me - if something can be done - I want to know how to do it.  I'd have my own steel mill here if I had the time.  I have this hunger to know how things are made, and then I want to make them.  I made a lot of baskets during my basket phase, most of them looked similiar to Longabergers.  This was the only basket I made out of collected materials from the wild.  I had to soak the branches to make them pliable.  It was hard - and I almost gave up, but I didn't.  It's a small, gnarly, cobbled up basket, but my cousin liked it, so I gave it to him and he usually keeps his garlic in it.  I'm sorry if this has burst your bubble of me flitting about in the woods weaving baskets on a whim.  I like that image too.

Something that has come to my recent attention.

The Googled word 'nipples' will bring you to my blog.

Seriously.

This is why.

And I'm really not sure how to feel about that.

Turkey Nipples

I'm quite sure whoever it is that Googles nipples is most disappointed to find these.



Coop Keeper Lingo

I'm home.

Coffee in hand.

Kitty cats and chicken birds.

It's all good.

I know y'all are waiting for some great fun stories from my road trip, but I'm sorry to report that I have none!  I didn't rip any gas hoses off the pumps, nor did have a sugar-free salt water taffy laxative incident as I have in the past.  It was a quiet trip.

I walked in the woods, went to a football game, ate pork, visited with my sister, went to the cemetery, drank coffee, knitted and slept like a fool.  I swam solo in my cousin's king size bed.  Sleeping in my shared full sized antique bed last night felt like trying to sleep on a tongue depressor in comparison.

The only photo I even took of my time in Missouri was of my cousin's table.  His house reflects his bachelorhood, and I feel the need to cozy things up a bit while I'm there.  And do laundry.  One of the first things I did when I got there was clean the kitchen table off and commence with the cozification.

I found a cute turkey statute in his office, the oil lamp was already there.  The walk in the woods produced some buck brush, and the Walmarts had a few gourds that I put in a basket that I made out of willow branches. 

Tada!

Cozification complete.

Now I could relax.

I decided since there were no fun stories to share with you from this gallivant - I would share with you a few words in the Coop Keeper vocabulary pertaining to road trips.

Hell Run

A hell run is a long road trip that you try to make in half the time.  A hell run involves stopping only once every five or six hours, come hell or high water.  It involves trying to break your previous record of 4.5 hours to St. Louis, and your overall time of 9.4 hours to Monett, MO.  There is no tolerance for weak bladders or sky bugging.  Git and go. Constant calculations are made of the ETA during the trip based upon miles per hour driven, and miles left to drive.  Breaking the law is inevitable.  Side effects may include - road tongue, slight bladder leakage, dangerously low fuel and blood sugar levels.  Dehydration may occur.  Please talk to your physician before embarking on a hell run.

Sky Bugging

An impulsive decision to stop more than once during a hell run.  Passengers in the vehicle ofttimes like the looks of a souvenir shop on the road side, or a super convenience store that promises pecan logs.  Passengers may want to take a little too long in the gas station perusing treats.  None of this is allowed since we are in hell run mode.  Don't even mention 'walnut bowl'.  Don't.

Road Tongue

Road tongue is a condition of the mouth caused from eating nothing but gas station food for nine or more hours.  Symptoms include, but are not limited to: losing all sense of taste, a glue-like substance coating your tongue and an inability to smile.  God forbid that the driver on the hell run would stop at a food establishment to procure decent victuals for the hell run.  To do so would fall under the 'sky bugging' category, therefore, it's strictly prohibited.  Cheddar Chex Mix and salt water taffy are staples.  Gas station coffee is a leading cause of road tongue, and it's diuretic effect should be avoided at all costs.  Road tongue may or may not be relieved by drinking a 32 oz. fountain Dr. Pepper.  Timing of this drink is crucial since the only time your bladder is emptied is when the car needs a a fill up, and this only happens once during the hell run. 


Now, who'd like to go on a road trip with me?

Guess Where I'll Be Tomorrow?

Lord willin' and the creek don't rise, I'll be heading north tomorrow.

I'm so relaxed, it feels like I've had a skeletonectomy.

I've missed my pot.

I've  missed my chickens.

I've missed Glenco.

I've missed Aaron.

(now don't go reading into me missing me chickens and me pot ahead of the G factor and Aaron!)

I want a pet crow.

I feel random.

And homesick.

I have one more road trip this year - in two weeks I'll be going to the National Poultry Show in Columbus Ohio.  After that is over, it's gonna take a crow bar to get me out of the house.

Are you ready to get nestled in for the winter?  I do believe I am.

I've missed y'all too!

I'm feeling so very grateful for all 'yous guys'.

Thank you - from the bottom of my heart for your comments and friendship.

Guess Where I Woke Up?

Back in the great state of Missouri!

Read about my love of Missouri here and here.

Is This What It's Like?

Is this what it's like?

To be a mother?

When I see this face, I feel -

 the deepest, most selfless love I've ever known.

I feel scared.

I feel hopeful.

I feel worried.

I feel overjoyed.

I feel proud.

I feel inadequate.

I feel wise.

I feel joy.

I feel peace.

I feel fear.

I feel grateful.

I feel.

All the time.

I feel things.

Deep things.

Good things.

Bad things.

Is that what it's like?

If you're the prayin' kind - keep the boy child in your prayers.  He's struggling with the structure of public school.  He's a square peg in a round hole.

Behold - the Mighty Vacuum

It's the only thing in your life that should suck.

Amen.

See, now - if I could just stop right there.  Wouldn't that be a cute little post?

Witty - smart - cute.

Drivel-less.

I am going to stop saying drivel, cause I'm sure it's getting old.

But I can't stop there.

I have to tell you why I started vacuuming to the point of obsession.

I have to tell you what kind of vacuum I have, and why I like it, ad nauseum.

I know a lot of you chuckle at my vacuum fetish.

Y'all even make fun of me over it.

Yes, y'all. 

I think I have to spell it right.

I'm a conformist.

I'm sorry Shannan.

First, I must address something.  Did I spell gallivant wrong?  I originally spelled it galivant, which looks right to me, and spell check changed it to gallivant.  Why do these things bother me so?  Misspelled words prick my brain like an insect bite.

My obsession with vacuuming started when I found myself with a houseful of cats and fleas.

I kept getting bitten.

I was freaking out.

The thought of bugs in my house flips me out.

The whole bed bug scare has me flipped right out, especially knowing that on November 12th I'll be sleeping in a Holiday Inn bed in Columbus, Ohio.

My skin is crawling thinking about it.

When I know there is something in my house that shouldn't be there - law, there is no rest to be had for anyone.  I talk about it non-stop, and think about it constantly.

I began my attack.  I really didn't want to bomb the house, or use strong chemicals.  So I used me vacuum and borax.  I would walk in my living room with white socks on and stand there for a minute.  Within that minute, I would see the dreaded black seed on me sock.  I would get the vacuum out and vacuum wildly.

Numerous times a day I would do this.  White sock, stand there, vacuum.  I did this until I no longer saw any black dots on me sock after five minutes. It took a little over a week.

I'm embarrassed to tell you how many times a day I vacuumed back then.

For me to do it once a day right now is so totally normal, you have no idea.

I have an Oreck XL2 vacuum, and I love it.

If I had unlimited funds, I would probably have a much different vacuum, but this one serves my purpose.

I paid around $300 for this one.

It's lightweight enough for me to carry upstairs without clunking it all around.

It has a hypo allergenic cover, and I go the extra step and use the hypo allergenic bags as well.

They are rather costly, but I think my health is worth it.

Dreaded dust allergy.

The feeling that vacuuming gives me is a feeling of order.

It's the finishing touch to my chores for the day.

As I'm taking it out of the cabinet that I keep it in, I have a sense of accomplishment that the house chores are about done.

I don't like seeing giblets on the floor.

I don't know how y'all with kids do it.

Do you ever make peace with the giblets?

Gallavantin'

Lord have mercy - I sure didn't intend on taking a blogging break - it just happened, and then once I get out of the rhythm of blogging, it's hard to get back to it.

I've been busy gallivanting about Northern Indiana.

Gallivanting - to wander about seeking pleasure or diversion

Isn't the photo above divine?

It's my wallpaper.

You can snatch it here.

I had the privilege of spending a few days with some familiar faces.

Flower Patch Farm Girl

Shannan is a warm cup of tea and a bowl of salsa and chips.

I feel the need to tell her every thought that passes through my head.

I love the look on her face at times.

I'm so glad I know her.

Cindy from Cottage Instincts

I finally made it to Cindy's Cottage, and I'm ever so glad I did.

I'm trying to get her to buy the house next door to me.

Her husband could use The Squirrel to stay in the parking lot at work during the week, returning home on the weekends.

Cindy - I beg you to consider this!

Did you ever have one of those days that you just felt was ordained by God?

I felt that when I was with Cindy.

The things we talked about, the things she shared with me - I so needed it all.

I got to sleep in what I call 'The Magic Bed'

Readers - I can't say enough about this bed.  You can read all about the room redo here, as well as see all the fabulousness that is Cindy's home.

Lately, I've been a notoriously bad sleeper.

Can't fall asleep - and when I do - I can't stay there.

That night - within five minutes of laying my head on the pillow - I was dreaming of dancing wedges of cheese.  I woke up only long enough to be confused about seeing cheese wedges dancing down my street - only to smile and sink back in the feather pillow realizing I was sleeping.  Oh sweet divine sleep - how you elude me at times.  I knew nothing until morning.

I must confess that I've been feeling quite introspective lately, and that always leads to a lack of blogging.

You see - I'm still struggling somewhat with my new found freedom.

I'm not one that likes to squander time in an unproductive way.

I feel the need for a purpose, a goal, a schedule.

Raise your hand if you're tired of fighting yourself.

*raises hand*

Did ya ever think that if you fight yourself so much to be a different way - maybe you are just meant to be the way you are?

Selah.

Sometimes the road between who we are and who we want to be is a long one.

Oftentimes, that road needs to be travelled, because who we want to be is a worthy endeavor, and the changes are required.

Other times, you just need to stay put, set up house and enjoy who you are.

Do you know how often I struggle to make a short little cohesive post?

It's not in the cards my friends.

Drivel.

It's what I do.

I'm a Type A personality that is obsessive, compulsive, enjoys cleaning, collecting chickens, and sharing all of my random thoughts on the Internet with strangers. I try to cram way too much stuff in one day. I dream of cheese.

Is that a crime?

Cindy was anxious for me to meet a friend of hers named Clara.

I liked her before I met her - I mean, with a name like Clara - really?  Do I need to go on?

Her home was very small - and I'm all about that right now.  The smaller the better.  I'm ready to move into a shed -

What struck such a chord with me-was even that her home was so small - she still found the space for what she loved. 

She loves entertaining, and therefore - has a table for 14 set up in her living room.

Sounds ridiculous doesn't it!?

It WORKS.

She used the family room in the back for couches.

I'm so tired of following rules when it comes to decorating!

She has a room - just for dishes.

I almost hyperventilated going in it.

If you look up the word organized in the dictionary - you'll see Clara.

I was really inspired.

It seems rare to meet someone that truly knows themselves, and then reflects that knowledge in their home.

It was beautiful.

I'm going to be making some changes around this old place - my home.

The useless wicker furniture on the front porch is going, and I'm going to replace it with an old farm table and a lot of chairs!

I've started working on the upstairs bedroom again.

I'm purging, organizing, and posting on Craig's List.

I'm flea marketing and antiquing.

I'm making changes on my personal house as well.

I'm trying to stay true to the list I made a couple of weeks ago - spending my time on what is important to me.

I'm signing up to do a half marathon (walking) in May of 2011.

I'm dressing myself - everyday.

Nothing fancy.

But I am wearing pants.  With buttons and zippers.

Change is sometimes hard.

I think it's worth it.

I feel like life has been a bit too easy lately.

I'm ready for hard.

Inquiring Minds - Part V



One of my latest favorites - taken by Aaron

 And ya'll thought I'd forgotten............

Question #43
Teresa asks:

Are there any specific numbers that you are irrationally afraid of and if so, why?

Dear Teresa - aren't you the clever one....sneaking this in here when you know full well that I fear the number 53.  Law, it's even hard to type it.  It had to be about 5 years ago - I was on a camping trip to Southern Indiana, and on the way down there, as I was a passenger in the car, I had my head turned out the window, and I kept seeing the #53 go past me.  It was semi-trucks.  The next thing you know - I started getting this weird vibe about the #53, and every time I would see the trucks coming up past me, I would turn away.  When we got to the campground - I saw a couple walking with matching shirts - you guessed it - the #53 emblazoned on the shirt.  We were in spot 53 at the campground.  The next thing I knew I was on Route 53.  The first purchase I rang up at work when coming home from the camping trip - $53.53.  I kid you not.  I started to freak out.  I'd look at the clock and it would be 3:53, 1:53, etc.  The temperature on the bank would be 53 degrees. Everywhere I looked - I saw the #53.  I felt like the universe was trying to tell me something - bad.  I was a nervous wreck the year Glen was 53 years old.  When he survived it, I thought for sure it meant that I was going to get the axe at that age.  When I see the #53 now - and I do - often - I still get this weird twinge inside, but now I tell myself that it must mean that my 53rd year is going to be the best one yet - ya, that's what I keep telling myself now.  I'm not sure I believe it.  If I do a post where I get 53 comments - law - its not good.  I wait on pins and needles for #54.  Sharing this irrational fear of a number seems to put just one more nail in my crazy coffin.  Seriously - I'm quite normal....no...really....I am.

Question #44
NanaDiana asks:
What else do you know about the fake accent lady?

Well, not much.  Obviously she's local - since there have been 'sightings'.  I feel sorry for her - I do.  She's got to be a bit mentally ill - I would think by her behavior that she's quite lonely.  If you don't know what we are talking about - if you are new - you might want to read about the Fake Accent Lady here.  Law, I hope she never signs up for one of my baking classes! 

Question #45
Brenda asks:

Well just because I would feel left out if I did not ask at least one question. What is your favorite color? Oh one more....What is the favorite plant/flower you grow?

My favorite color is green.  Everything in my house is green. Almost all of my clothes are green.  I have to be careful when I shop-I'm always immediately drawn to anything green!  My favorite flower - dear - that is like picking a favorite child, or a chicken.  Hmmm......I don't think I can answer that.  It happens to be whatever is blooming at the moment.  I must say daisies make me extra happy.  I love anything that blooms profusely.

Question #46
Joycee asks:

Do you have a secret ambition that lies deep in your heart?

I would have to say it's to answer all of my emails on a timely basis.  At this point - that's what it feels like - a secret ambition!  Joycee - if I tell my secret ambition - well it's not a secret anymore!  I'm going to do it - I'm going to spit it out.  My secret ambition is to be super fit - to be able to run a marathon, or do some other endurance sport.  It's not too late yet-perhaps if I would become obsessed with working out, instead of German pastries, I'd be on the right track.

Question #47
Fran asks:

Where do you get all of your energy and motivation? I am envious of all you accomplish. You are a wonder!

Oh dear - a wonder huh?  I'm not sure where I get all of my energy - I'd like to know - cause I feel the need for more lately!  I've always been a bit driven about things that strike my fancy.  I burn out quickly on things and then move on.  I learn it - and move on.  Wish I was more about sticking with things - but I'm not.  Seems I have this insatiable desire to know HOW to do things.  That seems to give me the energy to carry on.  I do tend to crash and burn though - so I'm not sure it's a good thing to be like me - how I long to be balanced.

Question #48
Cheryl asks:

Bacon is $3.00 a lb. and up!
What do you think of that? ARGH!!!

I don't like it one bit!  The blessed pork belly was over $3 a pound at the meat market.  I'm going to sound like a smoker now - I'll quit eating it when it gets to $5 a pound.  Ya.  Right.

Question #49
debbyrose asks:

How many hours of sleep do you get a night? I think MUCH less than me cause you get way more done in a day than I do.

Well - that varies as much as our weather does dear Debbyrose.....I try for a good seven to eight hours.  Saturday night I got three - thanks to hormones - sometimes I get ten.  I guess it all balances out.  I sleep more than you'd think.  I just never stop moving once I am up.  Now that I'm staying off the computer more, it's 'ridikerous' how much I can get done!

I'm just going to answer five at a time - this is a lot of drivel.

Have a most wonderful Monday!