Saturday, September 19, 2026

Visits and Preventive Maintenance, a Ten Things of Thankful Post

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Sometimes when i get to Thankful Day i wonder if i could do with a little less "excitement" in my life, but then i think, what would i have to be thankful for if not for all the excitement?


Thankfully Uncle J and i fixed the collapsed bed boards and restored the bed to its proper working order when i was there last Saturday.  He has said if it happens again, he's going to screw them in place.


Mr. Cal was once again thankful for a good walk Sunday morning before Becca and i went to church.  Her mama is out of town for the birth of the third grandchild and i was thankful the handoff to another friend to take her home went well.


Because of my new schedule of going to NOLA on Mondays as well as Saturdays, i arranged with Ms. D to clean her house Sunday afternoon.  I'm thankful she agreed i could do it then, and thankful we got everything done, then i went home to relax a bit.  Later, i was thankful to go back and watch the program 60 Minutes with her.


We were both thankful #2 Son, Daughter-in-Law, Annie and Little Ben came by also (they'd been at a birthday party for a cousin).






Monday, i was thankful to get to NOLA in decent time for a weekday.  Grandma was thankful for a bath and i spent the day there.


As difficult as it is, i'm thankful Grandpa has finally gotten Grandma's doctor to agree to try to call for hospice care at home.


I'm thankful one of her friends brought a sampling of salad fixings from a farmer's market, all of it was very good.


That evening was supposed to be a ladies' circle meeting, but the lady who was hosting at her house was not quite over a very nasty stomach bug.  She'd hoped to be well enough to still have us, but didn't like to take the chance.  I was very sad it was cancelled but thankful she was considerate enough to make sure none of us got it.


With Ms. G out of town this week, my Tuesday morning started with a visit to her house to take care of April and Sassy and the semi-feral Mr. Gray.  I'm thankful i saw the problem with one of the containers of dry cat food, and got the pantry moth infested bin out of the house before all of it could be affected.


Then it was showtime, my annual poke and prod with Dr BowTie.  I'm thankful all of my tests are normal or, if a tiny bit out of range, not enough to worry with.  He reassured me i am not losing muscle mass as i age, thankfully, and asked how i'm preserving it so well.  I told him a bit about my schedule and the work i do, which is keeping me strong and healthy.  I was thankful to make him laugh when i said, i keep moving, i figure death has a harder time hitting a moving target.  He agrees this is probably true.


Let me stop here to put in a PSA (Public Service Announcement) for an annual physical.  It's better to find the problems early, i promise you.


Once home, i was thankful for a lovely day with Annie.  She's becoming quite the little conversationalist.


Wednesday was odd as i did not go to work or to a shift at the cat shelter as i'd told them ahead i would be unavailable.  I was very thankful Bigger Girl, our elder daughter, had made it in safely from Seattle the day before and was at Grandma and Grandpa's house, and thankful we could go down there.  (This is also another reason i'm thankful Uncle J and i got the bed fixed, she was using it while in town.)


She and i ran two errands, she was thankful to get her defective debit card replaced at the bank where she's had an account since she was a tot as well as get her address in Seattle set as her new address with them, as now they can mail such things directly to her instead of sending them here and i have to resend them there.


Then we went grocery shopping and she bought everything needed for her to good a good meal for which we were all thankful.  Even #2 Son and crew showed up.  Bigger Girl was thankful to finally meet her nephew and see her niece for the first time since the child was 2 months old.


We were thankful to get back home even in the traffic and i was thankful to still make it to Bible study.


Thursday morning, i was thankful to get Ms. G's cats done again and get back to pack  our cleaning supplies so my Sweetie and i could do our double Thursday.  


Then a minor miracle occurred.  Ms. G sent me a text while we were on our way to work, asking if i could call her.  I texted back it might take a little while and she, instead of insisting on a phone call which would have been at least 10 minutes long (as hers usually are, even just to tell you one thing), texted me back and we handled it that way!  I was very thankful as a double cleaning Thursday is no joke and i have very little time for chatting.


Then both my Sweetie and i were thankful and amazed we got both houses done in 7 hours!  When Ms. GA called me that evening to ask if i’d seen her can opener while cleaning the kitchen (i had not, which i thought at the time was unusual as it’s always in the same spot), we’re both thankful a quick search found it barely poking out from under the microwave oven.


I woke up around 3am Friday morning to texts from Bigger Girl stating she was in Phoenix, Arizona with a dying phone and not sure when they were going to get her on a connecting flight as the airline had made her miss her connection.  I was thankful she got my return texts authorizing her to use my credit card if needed (she has the number in a code on her phone) to simply book another flight.


We're thankful she didn't need to do so, the airline caused the problem so gave her food vouchers and managed to get her on the next available connection.  


Bigger Girl is thankful she always plans to go home one day early before she has to go back to work just in case something like this happens.


Once i was up properly for Friday, i was thankful for more preventive medicine in the form of my yearly glamour shots for the twins (my mammogram).  Here is my second PSA, get the tests your doc prescribes, don't put them off.  Mammograms, colonoscopies, body checks for suspicious moles, and prostate exams may not be fun, but these can save your life.


Annie and i were thankful to spend a fun Friday together.


Friday evening at the cat shelter went very well, we were thankful for adoptions going on, people in there looking to adopt, and a fun shift feeding and giving fresh water to all the cats.



Please write up your own list and link up to Ten Things of Thankful, where Clark and his co-hosts always have a warm welcome waiting.


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter



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Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Or meow or woof or squawk, or whatever noise your pet makes, give it a pirate flair and have fun.


Another suggestion, especially if you have children and you expect them to use their very good manners at the table all the time (you do, don't you?), tonight have Pirate Supper.  Cover the table with newspaper or a throw-away plastic tablecloth and have dinner pirate style -- no plates, no utensils, no napkins, all fun!


Thanks to Barb Kowalik and The Cat Blogosphere for the event badge.        


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Today is:


America's Day For Kids -- sponsored by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America  


Armed Forces Day -- Chile


Constitution Day/National Day -- Nepal


Cosmetic Bridge Day -- seems internet generated, but i'm sure your dentist will approve


Day of the First Appearance of the Slovak National Council -- Slovakia


Eleven Days of Global Unity -- Day 9, Freedom (sponsored by We, the World


Fall Astronomy Day -- Bringing Astronomy to the People (local astronomical societies, planetariums, museums and observatories sponsor public viewings, presentation, workshops, etc., to increase public awareness of astronomy and our amazing universe; on the Saturday at or before the first quarter moon between mid-September and mid-October and sponsored by The Astronomical League; find out what your local astronomy society is doing today, and go enjoy)     


Feast of the Ingathering -- UK traditional (also called Harvest Home; in Scotland, Kirn; in northern England, Mell-Supper.  Celebrations will be held in rural areas for the next few weekends, celebrating the end of the harvest.)


Idaho Spud Day 2026 -- Idaho, US, wants the 3rd Saturday of September as a day to celebrate their favorite crop


Independence Day -- St. Kitts and Nevis(1983)


International Eat An Apple Day -- a celebration of the fruit of the season, on the third Saturday of every September


International Talk Like a Pirate Day  


National Butterscotch Pudding Day


National Gymnastics Day -- US (sponsored by USA Gymnastics)      


St. Januarius of Naples' Day (a/k/a Gennaro of Naples; Patron of blood banks; Naples, Italy; against volcanic eruption) related observance

     Feast of San Gennaro -- NYC, NY, US (began on the 13th, continues to the 23rd; one of the highlights of the festival is this, the actual Saint's day)


Women's Suffrage Day -- New Zealand



Birthdays Today:


Alison Sweeney, 1976

Jimmy Fallon, 1974

Jim Abbot, 1967

Soledad 'Brien, 1966

Trisha Yearwood, 1964

Kevin Hooks, 1958

Joan Lunden, 1950

Leslie "Twiggy" Lawson, 1949

Jeremy Irons, 1948

Randolph Mantooth, 1945

Jooe Morgan, 1943

"Mama" Cass Elliot, 1941

Bill Medley, 1940

Paul Williams, 1940

David McCallum, 1933

Mike Royko, 1932

Adam West, 1928

Duke Snider, 1926

Sir William Golding, 1911

Lewis F. Powell, Jr., 1907

Joseph Pasternak, 1901

Henry Peter Brougham, 1778

Charles Carroll, 1737

Jan Luyts, 1655



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"Skylight"(Play), 1996

"ER"(TV), 1994

"The Mary Tyler Moore Show"(TV), 1970

Funny Girl(Film), 1968

"Flipper"(TV), 1964

"The Virginian"(TV), 1962




Today in History:


Edward, the Black Prince, commands the forces which defeat the French army and capture France's King John II, 1356

Giles Corey is pressed to death after refusing to plead in the Salem Witch Trials, 1692

The Continental Congress passes the first budget of the US, 1778

Ephraim Morris patents the railroad brake, 1838

Bond and Lassell discover Hyperion, moon of Saturn, 1848

New Zealand becomes the first country to grant all of its women the right to vote, 1893

Funeral of assassinated President William McKinley, 1901

Mickey Mouse makes his screen debut as Steamboat Willie, at the Colony Theater in NYC, 1928

The Council of Europe is founded following a speech by Winston Churchill at the University of Zurich, 1946

Nikita Khrushchev is barred from visiting Disneyland, 1959

Betty and Barney Hill claim that they saw a mysterious craft in the sky and that it tried to abduct them, 1961

The Solomon Islands join the United Nations, 1978

Scott Fahlman posts the first documented emoticons :-) and :-( on the Carnegie Mellon University Bulletin Board System, 1982

Ă–tzi the Iceman is discovered by German tourists, 1991

The BP oil well at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico was declared “effectively dead” by retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the government’s point man on the blowout disaster, 2010

A joint summit between North and South Korea ends with an agreement from North Korea to limit its nuclear program and South Korea to cooperate economically, 2018

According to a study published in the journal "Science," since 1970 the number of birds in North America has declined by 30%, 2019

British monarch Queen Elizabeth II is interned at Windsor Castle, 2022

Scientists announce the discovery of the site of the Amazon's tallest tree, an angelim vermelho at 88.5 meters (290 feet) tall and 9.9 meters (32 feet) wide, at the Iratapuru River Nature Reserve in northern Brazil, 2022

Japanese two-way phenomenon Shohei Ohtani becomes the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a season, 2024

Friday, September 18, 2026

Oliver in Hiding (Feline Friday), Friendly Fill-ins, Nature Friday, and Flashback Friday, Abigail

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Feline Friday was originally started by Steve, The Burnt Food Dude (may he rest in peace), and i'm going to believe it's because he liked cats.

He handed hosting duties off to Sandee at Comedy Plus, and now she has entrusted it to me.


Feline Friday is simple to join.  All you have to do is: Post a picture, drawing, cartoon or video of a cat (they may be silly or cute).  Then add your link!


One thing for sure is this is a fun and easy meme to do.  So come and join us in Feline Friday.


What better way to start the weekend than with a feline!


Ms. GA and Mr. BA's Oliver spent a good bit of time being petted by my Sweetie yesterday and then decided to go into hiding.


View from the front porch.









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Friendly Fill-Ins are easy to do. There are four statements: the first two statements are provided by Ellen of 15AndMeowing, and the final two are offered by Lorianne The Menagerie Mom of Four-Legged Furballs. They try to make sure the statements will be fun to both answer and share. The linky will be posted at or about 12:00 AM on Friday. Please head over to one of their sites, link up, and share your thoughts!      


Here are this week's statements with my responses underlined:



1, I have been seeing a lot of ___________________________.


2. _________________ is a good way to make some extra money.


3. I think _________ was the decade with the best _________.


4. Lately, I’ve been avoiding _________.



1, I have been seeing a lot of   arguments on the Nextdoor website about whether the Amazon drones around here are a good idea or not.


2. Going to work   is a good way to make some extra money.   Dave Ramsey always says his grandmother used to say, "There's a sure fire money making scheme, go to work!"


3. I think   every decade which has ever been   is(was) the decade with the best   and the worst of everything, because it seems the good things keep getting better and the bad things keep getting worse.


4. Lately, I’ve been avoiding   overdosing on bad news, just give me the headlines and a few details and i'll dig deeper if i need to.



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Nature Friday is hosted by LLB in Our Backyard.  Simply post a picture of the natural world, and link up!   


Mr. BA has these beauties in his front yard planter.







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Flashback Friday is hosted by FiveSibes.  Come hop along memory lane with us!  


Since we starred Ms. GA's cat Oliver for Feline Friday, how about a flashback photo of Abigail, another of Ms. GA's clowder.  Abigail was the three-legged cat who stole hearts and never met a stranger.






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Today is:


Autumn Equinox Festival at Chichen Itza -- beginning today, thousands will gather for the amazing play of light and shadow each evening at sunset through the 27th)


Chästeilet im Justistal -- Merlingen, Switzerland (dividing of the summer's cheese between the dairy farmers of the area, a weekend celebration that must be tasted to be believed!)


Chiropractic Founder's Day -- celebrating the first chiropractic adjustment ever performed, by D.D. Palmer on Harvey Lillard, on this date in 1895


Clean Up the World Weekend -- it's a big challenge, but we can try   


Eleven Days of Global Unity -- Day 8, Human Rights (sponsored by We, the World


Hug a Greeting Card Writer Day -- they are generally anonymous, often underappreciated, so today, give one a hug! (if you know any, that is)


Independence Day -- Chile


National Cheeseburger Day


National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day -- US  


National POW/MIA Recognition Day -- US 


National Respect! Day(sm) -- US (encouraging abused women to respect themselves enough to get out)


National Tradesmen Day -- US


Plataia -- Ancient Greek Calendar (date approximate)


St. Joseph of Cupertino's Day (Levitating saint, and so Patron of air crews, air travelers, astronauts, paratroopers, pilots/aviators, students, test takers; Cupertino, Italy)


World Water Monitoring Day -- International    




Anniversaries Today:


Constantine II of Greece marries Princess Anne-Marie of Denmark, 1964

The United States Air Force becomes a separate military service, 1947

Hull House opens, 1889



Birthdays Today:


Jada Pinkett Smith, 1971

Lance Armstrong, 1971

Alsha Tyler, 1970

James Gandolfini, 1961

Ryne Sandberg, 1959

Frankie Avalon, 1939

Robert Blake, 1933

Scotty Bowman, 1933

June Foray, 1920

Jack Warden, 1920

Rossano Brazzi, 1916

Agnes DeMille, 1905

Greta Garbo, 1905

Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, 1905

John Diefenbaker, 1895

Joseph Story, 1779

George Read, 1733

Samuel Johnson, 1709

Marcus Ulpius Nerva Trajanus, Emperor Trajan, 53



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"Baseball"(Documentary), 1994

"Love is a Many Splendored Thing"(TV), 1967

"Get Smart"(TV), 1965

"The Addams Family"(TV), 1964

"Wagon Train"(TV), 1957

"The Paul Winchell Show"(TV), 1950

"Johnny Belinda"(Play), 1940

"Strictly Dishonorable"(Play), 1929

"Disraeli"(Play), 1911




Today in History:


Christopher Columbus lands at Costa Rica on his 4th and final voyage, 1502

Ft. Ticonderoga, NY opens, 1755

The British capture Quebec City, 1759

John Harris builds the first spinet piano in the US, 1769

President Washington lays the cornerstone of the Capitol Building, 1793

Royal Opera House in London opens, 1809

A horse beats the first US made locomotive, near Baltimore, 1830

Tiffany and Co. (first named Tiffany & Young) is founded by Charles Lewis Tiffany and Teddy Young in New York City; the store is called a "stationery and fancy goods emporium", 1837

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is first published, 1842

First publication of The New-York Daily Times, which later becomes The New York Times, 1851

Old Faithful Geyser is observed and named by Henry D. Washburn during the Washburn-Langford-Doane Expedition to Yellowstone, 1870

The banking firm of Jay Cooke & Co. in Philadelphia declares bankruptcy, which starts the Panic of 1873 and a severe economic depression, 1873

The Blackpool Illuminations are switched on for the first time, 1879

Riots break out in Montreal to protest against compulsory smallpox vaccination, 1885

In appreciation for all she had done for the tribe, Harriet Maxwell Converse, adopted as a member of the Seneca tribe, is made a chief of the Six Nations Tribe at the Tonawanda Reservation, 1891

Daniel David Palmer gives the first chiropractic adjustment, 1895

A typhoon with tsunami kills an estimated 10,000 people in Hong Kong, 1906

The Irish Home Rule Act becomes law, but is delayed until after World War I, 1914

The Netherlands gives women the right to vote, 1919

The Columbia Broadcasting System goes on the air, 1927

Juan de la Cierva makes the first autogyro crossing of the English Channel, 1928

Margaret Chase Smith of Maine becomes the first woman elected to the US Senate without completing another senator's term, 1948

Fidel Castro arrives in New York City as the head of the Cuban delegation to the United Nations, 1960

U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld dies in a plane crash, 1961

Burundi, Jamaica, Rwanda and Trinidad and Tobago are admitted to the United Nations, 1962

The Bahamas, East Germany and West Germany are admitted to the United Nations, 1973

Hurricane Fifi strikes Honduras with 110 mph winds, killing 5,000 people, 1974

Voyager I takes its first photograph of the Earth and the Moon together, 1977

Soyuz 38 carries 2 cosmonauts (including 1 Cuban) to Salyut 6 space station, 1980

Joe Kittinger completes the first solo balloon crossing of the Atlantic, 1984

Liechtenstein becomes a member of the United Nations, 1990

ICANN is formed, 1998

The 72 year run of the soap opera The Guiding Light ends as its final episode is broadcast, 2009

Chileans celebrate the 200th anniversary oof their independence, 2010

After a large storm that took the roof off of Stadium Southland in Invercargill, 100,000 people in New Zealand are left without water, 2010

Scotland votes to remain a member of the United Kingdom in an independence referendum, 2014

The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Journal publishes finding about the earliest known fishhooks, at 23,000 years old, discovered on Okinawa Island, Japan, 2016

Cyclone Ianos, a rare 'medicane' (Mediterranean hurricane/tropical cyclone) begins sweeping across Greece, 2020

Fashion journalist Chioma Nnadi becomes the first black woman to head a major fashion magazine when she is named new head of British Vogue, 2023

The highest peak of Great Smoky Mountains National Park reverts to its Cherokee name of Kuwohi (previously Clingmans Dome), 2024

British radio presenter Pete Murray returns to the air to commemorate his 100th birthday, 2025