The Wednesday Medley and National Parks...

Everything below this line comes from the National Day Calendar.

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WORLD RANGER DAY – July 31

WORLD RANGER DAY

On July 31st, World Ranger Day honors the dedication, and crucial work rangers do every day around the globe.  The day offers an opportunity to show support to rangers for the services they provide. Every day, their unwavering commitment protects our national parks, wildlife, and forested heritage.

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar website.

1.  Is there a National Park near where you live?  There are quite a few, actually.

2.  How many National Parks and which ones have you visited?  There are nine, I believe. I have visited the Everglades, the Castillo de San Marcos (St. Augustine), and the Canaveral National Seashore.  Is there one you would really like to visit?  Yes, the DeSoto National Memorial, which is only an hour away and it's crazy we haven't visited in the 30 years we have lived here. 

3.  The Park Rangers are protectors of the environment, of the wildlife, and visitors in the parks.  Is there someone (human) in your life who you count on as a protector or are you someone's protector?  My parents used to protect me and my siblings but they are gone now.  Joe protects me and I protect him.  We help to protect Helen.

4.  Have you ever had an up-close-and-personal experience with a wild animal that you can tell us about?  Since we go to the farm (Joe's client) each week, we have been blessed to see wild turkeys, birds of prey, deer, a bobcat, and of course all the cattle, ducks, guineas, etc.

5.  It is certainly an honor to show value to this profession by giving them a day of remembrance.  What is another profession that you like to see honored by a "day" of their own?  Just one?  Teachers and nurses!!!  But I bet they already have a day out there!

6.  On this last day of July, please tell us something about your week so far.  Yesterday I had my facial which was wonderful. Got to catch up with Dawn which is always fun. Today we are off to the farm and tomorrow I have lunch with my old friend Judy and her daughter Brooke. We haven't seen each other in over 30 years! Following that is my appointment with my doctor to give the final clearance for my surgery.  Sure hope all those tests were okay!

Thanks for your visit today!  If you answered on your blog, please link up below and join the other Meddlers!!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

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Click here to enter

Questions for the Wednesday Medley...

Here is a medley of questions for the Wednesday Medley.  I always start with the National Day Calendar Day for ideas and base questions from there. No rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday and if you are interested, then I invite you to join in and link up with other ‘Meddlers’!!  

The National Day Calendar gave us an INTERNATIONAL DAY!!  Since many of these don't really apply to our blogging friends in the UK and other countries, I was happy to see this one come up!!

Everything below this line comes from the National Day Calendar.

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WORLD RANGER DAY – July 31

WORLD RANGER DAY

On July 31st, World Ranger Day honors the dedication, and crucial work rangers do every day around the globe.  The day offers an opportunity to show support to rangers for the services they provide. Every day, their unwavering commitment protects our national parks, wildlife, and forested heritage.

“A park ranger is a protector. You protect the land from the people, the people from the land, the people from each other and the people from themselves.” Kurt Caswell (author/writer)

Park rangers hold a variety of roles. As the front line of preservation and conservation, all park rangers are integral to national park systems. In the United States, the National Park Service (NPS) employs rangers to provide both law enforcement and cultural and educational services. Around the world, a park ranger’s role may vary depending on the environment they serve.

While the day recognizes the contributions of rangers, it also highlights their sacrifices. According to professional groups, at least 1,000 park rangers have been killed in the line of duty over the past 10 years – 75% by commercial poachers and armed militia groups. Accordingly, the day commemorates rangers killed or injured in the line of duty.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Participate in the Thin Green Line Foundation promotion. The Thin Green Line Foundation supports the work of Rangers and honors their memories. Put your name and location on the sign provided by the Foundation. Have your picture taken while holding the poster. You can also take a photo with rangers or in a protected area, and post it on social media sharing the photo to the International Ranger Federation (INF) and The Thin Green Line Foundation Facebook page.

Use #TheThinGreenLine and #WorldRangerDay to share on social media.

HISTORY

In 2007, the International Rangers Foundation and The Thin Green Line Foundation celebrated the first World Ranger Day on the 15th anniversary of the founding of the International Rangers Foundation.

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar website.

1.  Is there a National Park near where you live?  

2.  How many National Parks and which ones have you visited?  Is there one you would really like to visit?

3.  The Park Rangers are protectors of the environment, of the wildlife, and visitors in the parks.  Is there someone (human) in your life who you count on as a protector or are you someone's protector?

4.  Have you ever had an up-close-and-personal experience with a wild animal that you can tell us about?

5.  It is certainly an honor to show value to this profession by giving them a day of remembrance.  What is another profession that you like to see honored by a "day" of their own?

6.  On this last day of July, please tell us something about your week so far.

Thanks for visiting today! If you are answering on your blog, please come back tomorrow to link up with the other Meddlers so we can visit each other.

Weekend Recap on Monday...

Backing up to Thursday, Joe and I got our hair cut.  Teena is working on a new "do" for me. I'll show you when it grows out just a bit. I'm liking it though!  Then we did some grocery shopping.

No appointments on Friday but we did have a couple of errands to run and we had to help Helen and Cheryl with a problem they were having with AT&T (Direct TV).  It took a visit to the AT&T store.  We all went out to eat at Crispers afterward. It was good spending time with them.

One of our errands was to go purchase a new TV.  Ours went out on Thursday evening.  We called a repair company and they said it sounded like it was the back-light. The part would cost $200 and then labor on top of that.  TVs are throw-aways these days.  We went to Walmart and got a brand new 50" for $278.  Less than fixing the old 55".  We barely notice that the new one is a little smaller.

Saturday morning is when we got the new TV all set up. It is working great and hopefully, it will last us the same 7-8 years the old one did.

Yesterday we went to church - still loving our new church and church family!!  Just chilled the rest of the day but I did get a surprise phone call!  Years ago (early to mid-80s) I worked at the American Red Cross Blood Services, DC Chapter (6 years).  When I left there, I stayed in touch with a few folks.  Over the years, most have dropped away, except for Judy.  We haven't seen each other since I left ARC but we kept in touch with Christmas card letters.  She and her daughter are in Florida and will be in Lakeland this week!!  Oh my gosh, it will be so fun to see them and catch up on all the years. Brooke was only 6 or 7 and now she is in her late 30s!!  We are having lunch on Thursday.  There will be pictures!!

Wishing you all a good week ahead!!  August is here.  Thanks for your visit!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

Sunday Stealing...

For the Queen's Curiosity

Hi! I'm your host Bev Sykes of the blog "Funny the World". . Welcome to Sunday Stealing. This feature originated and published on WTIT: The Blog. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. (Past hosts include: Our first - Judd Corizan, Mr. L, Kwizgiver and Bud)  Cheers to all of us thieves!

Questions from Durward Discussion.  

Thanks to Kwizgiver for the suggestion.

1.  What is the nearest book to you?  I am in the living room and there is a stack of art books on the table next to the loveseat.  Your Kindle does not count.

2.  When was the last time you took a "me" vacation?  Never. 

3.  How many telephone numbers do you have?  Three.

4.  If you could fix one thing in the public school system, what is the one thing you would do immediately?  Do away with standardized tests.  THEN I would pay the teachers what they are worth!!

5.  Are you a big tipper?  We always tip 20% unless the service was really bad.

6.  Do you watch reality shows?  A few but generally they are not my favorites.

7.  Who is your favorite sports team player?  I don't have a favorite.

8.  If you could travel in a spaceship to any planet, which planet would you like to visit and why?  I have no desire to get into a spaceship. It is hard enough to get me into an airplane!

9.  When was the last time you sat in a church?  Today!

10.  Are there any aspects of blogging that annoy you?  I am annoyed when someone tries to sell something when they link up with my Wednesday Medley and are only there to promote themselves. It is happening every week lately.

11.  When someone follows you on their blog or subscribes to your Facebook page, do you automatically follow and subscribe back?  Nope.

Wishing you a blessed Sunday!  

Thanks for your visit!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

Saturday 9... Three's Company

Come and Knock on Our Door

Welcome to Saturday 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme. 
 
Saturday 9: Come and Knock on Our Door (1976)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 
1) This week's song was the theme to Three's Company, a sitcom that ran for eight seasons. Were you a fan?  Yes, I loved Three's Company. Seems a bit hokey now, but it was fun back then!
 
2) The Three's Company theme was composed by Joe Raposo, who also wrote the theme to Sesame Street. Can you recall any of the lyrics to the Sesame Street song?  I never watched Sesame Street, so no.

3) The lyrics to this song invite you to "come and knock on our door." What's the last door you knocked on (or the most recent doorbell you rang)?  Probably our friend Helen's door.  We swing by there once a week or so unless she comes by here..

4) Three's Company was about three roommates who live together platonically, sharing a two-bedroom apartment. Tell us about a roommate who shared your living quarters. My only roommate has been my husband(s).  

5) Each of the roommates has a profession: Jack is a cook, Chrissy is a secretary (aka administrative assistant) and Janet is a florist. When did you last buy flowers?  Before my grandmother died, so several years. I don't "do" flowers very often unless I know someone really, really likes to receive them.

6) They often meet their neighbor, Larry, at a nearby bar called The Regal Beagle. What's the name of the establishment where you most recently enjoyed an adult beverage?  Months ago at Glory Days restaurant. I rarely have a drink, especially when we are out because drinks cost a fortune!

 
7) Their meddling landlord was Mr. Roper. He was cheap, nosy, and very talented at fixing things around the building. How much are you like Mr. Roper? Are you frugal? Nosy? A handy do-it-yourselfer?  I'm not really nosy. I have to be frugal and if I can fix it (or Joe can) we fix it.
 
8) Three's Company was controversial again, more than 15 years after it ceased production. In March 2001, Nick at Nite re-edited an episode after a viewer called, alerting the network that a bit too much of John Ritter was visible in his blue boxer shorts. Have you ever called, emailed or written to, a TV station to complain?  No.

9) Random question -- Is the screen on your cellphone cracked?  No. I have a protective cover over it and a good case.  

Thanks to Crazy Sam for this week's Saturday 9!!  If you want to join in, click HERE!

Thanks for your visit here!  Happy Saturday!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!

Friday Photos....

We did go to the farm on Wednesday morning but it was pouring rain nearly the entire time we were there.  I did hobble down to the pasture and gave Doc and Pistol their carrot treats.  As soon as they saw me approaching they started walking toward the gate.

The birds got apples and the pups all got a treat too.  No new pictures though.  It was just nasty.  I spent most of the time in the office where it was cooler and dry. The owners had to leave for an appointment, so I got to sit in the office until Joe was done with his work.

Yesterday I headed out early for fasting labs and was supposed to get my chest x-ray there too.  They told me the machine was down I needed to go to another location.  Okay. No problem... except that it was pouring rain.  Trying to juggle an umbrella, my purse, and a cane is not easy but I got it done and should be good to go for the surgery.  I'll get the results on the 1st.

Thanks for your visit today!  Wishing you a great weekend!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

Thankful Thursday...

Visit Rebecca Jo at Knit By God's Hand to join today's Thankful Thursday HERE!

I am thankful for exciting thunderstorms and the rain they bring with them.  We had a big one yesteray and the temperature finally broke!  It was 79 degrees at 12:30.

Luzianne tea bags make the best iced tea. I make a gallon and it's gone in two days.

I am thankful for dear friends who care.  Shirley (lunch bunch) brought me a lap-board yesterday that her hubby made years ago. She thought I would be able to use it during my rehab. It is perfect and a treasure, as is she!

I haven't mentioned our cats lately. They make us laugh and bring us joy, each one with a different personality. Love them to pieces. Vinny, Lucy, and Lilly.

I am slowly losing some weight.  As of this morning, I am down 15 pounds from when I started. I hoped to lose 15-20 before my surgery. Happy to have met the goal with a little more time to go a bit further. I'm just trying to watch my carbs and not cheat too often.

I am thankful for insurance and for doctors and nurses and administrative staff associated with them. The paperwork for this surgery and coordinating between Lakeland doctors and the Tampa doctor is going well because of competent and caring medical staff. 

As always, I am thankful for each of you reading this!  Thanks for your visit!!

Peace & hugs!  God bless!!

A Wednesday Medley about Family...

Here is a medley of questions for the Wednesday Medley.  I always start with the National Day Calendar Day for ideas and base questions from there. No rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday and if you are interested, then I invite you to join in and link up with other ‘Meddlers’!!  

Everything below this line is from the National Day Calendar website.

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NATIONAL COUSINS DAY – July 24

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NATIONAL AUNT AND UNCLE’S DAY – July 26

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar website,

1.  What can you tell us about your cousins, please, or someone who is close like a cousin?   I was blessed to grow up with cousins on both sides of my family.  Cousin Tom was like my big brother; Cousin Peggy was older than me and I idolized her, especially when she paid attention to me; Cousins Pam, Jim, Bob, Lana, Vicky, and Tysa lived farther away but we sure had fun when we all got together!  Their kids are also close to us.

Cousin Bob, me, Pam, and Jim.

Cousin Peggy, Tom, and me.

 Cousins Vicky, Lana, Bob, and me.

Cousin Pam's sons, Justin, their grandma and my Aunt Dorothy, and Jason.

Cousins Tysa, Vicky (me) and Lana just two years ago.

2.  Do you still see your cousins and will you contact them on National Cousins Day?   I do still see my cousins, but not as often as I would like.  We are all spread out too far now.  I will try to remember to mention it on Facebook today!  Cousin Peggy has four sons, two who live over on Florida's east coast but we haven't gotten together in more years than I want to think about.  Three years ago, we had a (Willman side) cousins reunion over at St. Pete beach.  We had a fun week and it was great to reconnect and be together for a happy occasion!

3.  Terri had a favorite aunt and uncle she will tell us about.  How about you?  I will tell you about Aunt Dot and Uncle Bill, who were parents to cousins Tom and Peggy.  I stayed at their house every summer for a week and had a blast with cousin Tom.  Aunt Dot was a good cook and baker and the Gospel Hour was on the TV on Sundays and that is how I fell in love with gospel groups, close harmony, and those good ol' gospel songs.

BUT, my favorite aunt and uncle were Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Jim.  They were parents to Pam, Jim, and Bob and grandparents to Mia, Suzy, Jason, Justin, Cory, and Stacy.  I have written about Aunt Dorothy before. She was a hoot and kept everything but the kitchen sink in her cleavage.  Uncle Jim was an artist and woodworker.  Cousin Jim got that gene and is also a wonderful artist. I could write volumes but will stop.

4.  Did/does your family have reunions and can you tell us about them?  When I was growing up, yes we had family reunions with my mom's family.  The Willmans always met at Serpent Mound in Ohio.  Good times.  The Cameron side (picture below) always met at a school.  Unfortunately, other than my close cousins mentioned above, I have lost track of most of these people (many in the picture are no longer with us anyway). Click to enlarge and you can see me...  I really, really, miss big family gatherings and am blessed to have the memories.

5.  If you have children, are they enjoying relationships with their cousins, aunts, uncles?  Our two sons are very close to their D'Orsaneo cousins and it is always fun when they get together.  You've never heard so much laughter!  Does my heart good.  Sadly, our two grandchildren, Lauren and Tristan, are not close to their D'Orsaneo cousins or with the cousins on their mom's side of the family. I really do feel sad for them to not have the closeness their dad experiences with his cousins.  This is one of the last times we were all together with the D'Orsaneos and all the kids...

6.  Tell us something random about your week so far.  I went to my class at the hospital to learn about what to expect when I get my new knee. Nothing I didn't already know but good to have the information validated. I also had my cardiology appointment and was cleared by them for surgery.  Fasting labs and an appointment with my primary is next week.  Five weeks to go!

If you answered the questions on your blog, please link up below so all the Meddlers can visit with each other!  And thanks for your visit!!

Peace & Hugs!  God Bless!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Tuesday's Questions for the Wednesday Medley...

Here is a medley of questions for the Wednesday Medley.  I always start with the National Day Calendar Day for ideas and base questions from there. No rules and there is no obligation. Link up if you want to.  I'm doing this to fill my Wednesday and if you are interested, then I invite you to join in and link up with other ‘Meddlers’!!  

Terri chose two subjects from this week's National Day Calendar for this week's Medley.

Family is important to all of us, I believe, so let's talk about

cousins and aunts and uncles today.  If you don't happen to have

cousins, aunts or uncles, tell us about those close to you who are like family.

Everything below this line is from the National Day Calendar website.

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NATIONAL COUSINS DAY – July 24

NATIONAL COUSINS DAY

National Cousins Day on July 24th recognizes the lifelong relationships that grow among cousins. Our first friendships often form with cousins as young as infants and endure a lifetime. 

Whether cousins grow up together in close-knit families or only see each other occasionally, they share shared memories through grandparents, aunts, and uncles. At family gatherings, cousins entertain each other and get into trouble together, too.  They celebrate birthdays and might even blow out the other’s candles to their cousin’s annoyance. When their siblings irritate them, cousins become an ally. Sometimes cousins seem more like siblings, especially if they’re only children.

As cousins grow up, watching their children grow reminds them of their youth. The cycle starts over.

The day celebrates every age of cousins – new baby cousins and cousins whose babies are all grown up!

HOW TO OBSERVE

Gather up your cousins and take a photo. Send a text to your cousins who are too far away. If you need to hear their voices, give them a call. Reminisce over the good times. Be sure to laugh about those things that didn’t seem so funny at the time.  Post photos on social media using #NationalCousinsDay.

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NATIONAL AUNT AND UNCLE’S DAY – July 26

NATIONAL AUNT AND UNCLE’S DAY

Aunt and Uncle’s Day is observed annually on July 26th. Through holidays, special family events and sometimes sleepovers, aunts, and uncles often hold a special place in our hearts. They fill our lives with fun, laughter, love and incredible memories.  

National Aunt and Uncle’s Day provides an opportunity to spend time with those relatives we trusted and leaned on growing up.  It would be an excellent time to get out the old photo albums. Look through the pictures, and relive the memories of earlier days around the Christmas tree or at the 4th of July picnic or maybe at the beach vacation that included those special aunts and uncles in your life. Get together with your relatives and create new memories. Remind them of all the reasons you enjoy having them in your life. Celebrate the lessons they’ve taught you and share them with the next generation. 

HOW TO OBSERVE

On National Aunt and Uncle’s Day contact your aunts and uncles. Remember all the value they’ve added to your life and tell them about it. Share a meal, write them a note, help them the way they once supported you.  Take photos with them and post them on social media using #AuntAndUnclesDay

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Everything above this line is from the National Day Calendar website,

1.  What can you tell us about your cousins, please, or someone who is close like a cousin?

2.  Do you still see your cousins and will you contact them on National Cousins Day?  

3.  Terri had a favorite aunt and uncle she will tell us about.  How about you?

4.  Did/does your family have reunions and can you tell us about them?

5.  If you have children, are they enjoying relationships with their cousins, aunts, uncles?

6.  Tell us something random about your week so far.

Thanks for your visit!  If you want to join in and answer on your blog, please come back tomorrow and link-up with the other Meddlers.

Peace & Hugs!  God Bless!!