Saturday, April 4, 2026

Days and Nights Are Staying Busy, a Ten Things of Thankful Post for the A to Z Challenge

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Both the days and nights (well, evenings at least) have been full this week, and i am thankful.


We've also had rain, in fits and starts and spurts and even one short deluge, all of it needed and the plants/lawns are very thankful.


The week started out just a bit cooler because of the rain, and i'm always thankful for any day i don't have to turn on an A/C unit.


Palm Sunday morning turned out ideal in every way, sunny, breezy and delightful.  We had our walk along the boulevard before and then after the Sunday service, a feast together as a church.  Since i don't each crawfish and Becca does, but she cannot peel them, i peeled and she ate and a good time was had by all.


The evening was spent with our little Annie, and this week we did get to visit Ms. D, who has been on medicine and is doing much better.  We're all thankful she's getting well.


Monday was back to the usual busy and again, even though we had a spurt of rain in the morning, by the time i got to Ms. D's place it was lovely and she had me work outdoors, cleaning the laundry room, vacuuming all the winter door mats and storing them in said laundry room, and sweeping the carport.  I was thankful it was cool and shady and she still let me come in to clean her toaster and a few other things.  She's awful about leaving her toaster full of crumbs and i'm concerned about fire hazards so i'm very thankful she lets me clean it every time i work for her.


Most days i am a homebody once i get home from work, spending my evenings meandering from one thing to the next in my own nest.  This week was different, i was thankful our bank has the interactive teller machines open until 7pm, so after work i was able to wait for traffic to ease then go to the bank to deposit Bigger Girl's birthday check from Grandpa.


Our little Annie and i are thankful Tuesday's spot of rain waited until during her two hour nap (another thankful, too little napping leaves her cranky and she's trying to nap less).  We were also thankful for all the wet spots where she was able to sit during our walk and make herself a delightful little mess, because what's childhood if you can't make yourself a mess?




Ms. G's friend and client Sean ended up in the hospital ER Tuesday evening and i'm thankful she was there to take him and be with him.  I'm also thankful she called me and asked me to run over to her house to let Mr. Gray, the cat, out.  Mr. Gray is a good boy, usually, but he is still semi-feral and will spray if left in the house too long.  Also, April will finally get tired of having him in there and pick a fight, not something we want.  I was very thankful when i opened the door to see him sleeping on the den floor, and all i had to do was call him and shake the kibble cup kept near the front door to get him to run out, and yes, i gave him some of the kibble, that's why he's willing to come when we do it.


Wednesday morning the shift at the shelter went well and Ms. G was back up at the hospital with Sean.  I'm thankful she was there to help him make sense of the diagnosis (gallstones, one blocking a bile duct badly) and thankful to finally be able to do all the chores at her house without interruption.  It was the first time vacuuming everything in a long time, and the layer of cat fur on everything is thankfully gone so the cats can start fresh laying down a new one.


Our church does a Maundy Thursday service, and Mr. J had to work both the night of the choir rehearsal and the service, and Ms. A is in the choir.  Becca is too sensitive to be taken to the event, which is very somber, so she and i were thankful to spend Wednesday evening together for the rehearsal night, taking Mr. Cal for a walk (he was so thankful he did his business 4 times!), having supper, and reading and then getting her to bed.


Thursday was going to be jam packed, so we got an early start, i was thankful Sweetie and i got to the MallMart early and got everything we needed, including rEcess supplies, and got to Ms. SE's early.


Mr. DE and his father were there, we were thankful to be able to "dance" around each other as we cleaned and they got ready to leave.  Thankfully, we were done early enough to get to Ms. GA's by 1pm, Mr. BA cooperated and let us in his office early, and i had an hour at home before having to go back to sit with Becca for the Maundy Thursday service time.


Just as we started to take our walk, though, the rain came back.  Mr. Cal was sorely disappointed, but Becca and i fixed and had supper, then the rain was stopped but thankfully it was still daylight.  We tried again and had a delightful walk (for which Mr. Cal was so thankful he did his business five times!).  


Mr. Cal was extra thankful he got a treat for our first walk, which was cut short, and then again for our second, successful walk.


#2 Son, Daughter-in-Law and our little Annie left for their whirlwind trip to Alaska for her Grandfather's memorial service and we are thankful they've had a safe journey.


Friday morning i was very thankful to go to prayer group and run errands in Daughter-in-Law's car, which was left for us to use, as with no A/C in my GusGus, it's not easy to drive in rain when you need A/C to defog the windows.


Friday evening was rEcess.  We're always thankful for rEcess, build your own fajitas night, plenty of time in the gym and art room, no feeding tube mishaps, the two littlest babies had plenty of offers for snugglers and a good time was had by all.



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:


Ballroom Dance Day -- dance with your sweetheart today in honor of the birth anniversary of Arthur Murray


Bonza Bottler Day™


Children's Day -- Taiwan


Every Day is Tag Day™ -- make sure your pet has an up-to-date tag or microchip, just in case! 


Homogenized Milk Day -- a machine to homogenize milk was patented this day in 1892 by Auguste Gaulin


Holy Saturday -- Christian (a/k/a Black Saturday, Holy Saturday, Easter Saturday, or Easter Eve)


Hug a Newsman/Newswoman Day -- an internet holiday, and be careful, no more fiascos like the gropings in 2009, please, just a nice hug


Independence Day -- Senegal(1960)


International Carrot Day -- really!www.carrotday.com


International Day for Mine Awareness & Assistance in Mine Action -- UN


International Pillow Fight Day -- yes, really (organizers used to have huge fights set in large cities, since Covid ended that, have a fight at your own house and join the fun!)


Lazarus Saturday -- Orthodox Christian

     Lazarovden -- Bulgaria (along with celebrating the raising of Lazarus, there are fertility rituals, especially involving young maidens, and honoring the goddesses of spring and love)


Matsuyama Haru Matsuri -- Matsuyama, Ehime Prefecture, Japan (Spring celebrations incorporating the Matsuyama Castle festival and the Dogo Hot Springs festival)


Megalesia, a/k/a Festival of Magna Mater -- Ancient Roman Calendar (great mother festival for Cybele; through the 9th)


National Cordon Bleu Day


National Reading a Roadmap Day -- another internet holiday that some sites call "Learn to Read A Roadmap Day," but a good one to observe; you need to know how to read one when your GPS or phone battery dies, after all


National School Librarian Appreciation Day


Ose Matsuri -- Ose Shrine, ShizouKa Prefecture, Japan (men dressed in women's clothes dance a lively jig on board a boat afloat in the harbour which is festooned with flags and streamers while taiko groups play drums on shore in this festival thought to date back to a wife wanting to protect her fisherman-husband by giving him a kimono)


Peace Day -- Angola


St. Benedict the African's Day (Patron of African missions; African-Americans; Palermo, Sicily, Italy)


St. Isidore of Seville's Day (Patron of computer technicians, computer users, computers, the Internet, schoolchildren, students)


Swedish-American Friendship Day


Tangible Karma™ Day -- set aside an hour today to become purposefully aware of the needs of someone around you, and to fulfill that need; because giving feels as good as receiving 


Tell a Lie Day -- an internet generated holiday; the only day it is acceptable! make sure, after today, to clear it up, trust me


Victims of Violence Day -- anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.


Vitamin C Day -- the vitamin was isolated on this day in 1932 by C.C. King at the University of Pittsburgh


World Rat Day -- pet rat lovers everywhere, unite and introduce your friends to your pet rats


ZAB Death Anniversary -- Pakistan



Anniversary Today:


Bill Gates and Paul Allen found Microsoft Corporation, 1975



Birthdays Today:


David Blaine, 1973

Dave Mirra, 1972

Jill Scott, 1972

Barry Pepper, 1970

Nancy McKeon, 1966

Robert Downey, Jr., 1965

David Gavurin, 1963

Gary Moore, 1952

Christine Lahti, 1950

Craig T. Nelson, 1946

Kitty Kelley, 1942

Angelo Bartlett "Bart" Giamatti, 1938

Michael Parks, 1938

Anthony Perkins, 1932

Maya Angelou, 1928

Muddy Waters, 1915

Frances Langford, 1914

Ernestine Gilbreth Carey, 1908

John Cameron Swayze, 1906

Arthur Murray, 1895

Isoroku Yamamoto, 1884

Linus Yale, Jr., 1821

Dorothea Dix, 1802



Today in History:


Francis Drake is knighted for completing a circumnavigation of the world, 1581

Sir Robert Walpole becomes First Lord of the Treasury of England, and is so influential in the Cabinet that he is considered the de facto first Prime Minister of England, 1721

Napoleon abdicates for the first time, 1814

Casparus van Wooden of Amsterdam patents chocolate milk powder, 1828

William Henry Harrison dies of pneumonia becoming the first President of the United States to die in office and the one with the shortest term served, 1841

Bryant's Minstrels debut the song "Dixie" in a blackface minstrel show, 1859

Susanna Medora Salter is elected the first US woman mayor, in Argonia, KS, 1887

Cecil Rhodes scholarship fund is established, 1902

An earthquake in India's Kangra Valley kills 20,000, destroys most of three cities, 1905

Vitamin C was first isolated by C.C. King at the University of Pittsburgh, 1932

Twelve nations sign the North Atlantic Treaty, creating NATO, 1949

Martin Luther King, Jr., is assasinated, 1968

Dr. Denton Cooley implants the first temporary artificial heart (the patient survived for 65 hours), 1969

The World Trade Center in NYC is dedicated, 1973

Bill Gates and Paul Allen form Microsoft, 1975

Space Shuttle Challenger makes its maiden voyage into space, 1983

Marc Andreessen and Jim Clark found Netscape Communications Corporation under the name "Mosaic Communications Corporation", 1994

Comet Hyakutake is imaged by the USA Asteroid Orbiter Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous, 1996

The Angolan government and UNITA rebels sign a peace treaty ending the Angolan Civil War, 2002

15 British Royal Navy personnel held in Iran are released, 2007

The most distant supernova on record is found by the Hubble Space Telescope, 2013

The "Pink Star" diamond sells at an auction in Hong Kong for a record $71 million, 2017

Elon Musk buys enough Twitter stock to make him the company's largest shareholder, 2022

Finland officially joins NATO at a ceremony in Brussels, becoming its 31st member and doubling NATO's border with Russia, 2023

A rare copy of Action Comics #1, which introduced Superman, sells at auction for a record US$6 million, 2024

Friday, April 3, 2026

Charmed (Feline Friday), Friendly Fill-Ins, and Nature Friday, an A-to-Z Challenge Post

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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!


Charming is just that, a charming cat.






He's about 8, had to have lived in a house at some point as he's so very friendly, but he was on the streets for at least a year and came in looking awful.





Once he's over his ear infection, he's going to be one snuggle bug of a pet for someone, as he adores attention and wants everyone who goes in the kitchen to spend time with him.  As my Sweetie says, he'd let you pet all the fur right off of his hide if your hand could hold out that long.





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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. My favorite Easter ( or Passover) treat is ________________________.


2. My life would be different without __________________________.


3. If I could, I would give an Easter basket full of _________ to _________.


4. Is it weird that I _________?



1. My favorite Easter ( or Passover) treat is   an Elmer's Gold Brick Egg by the Elmer Candy Company of New Orleans, it's the taste of my childhood Easters.


2. My life would be different without   my faith, i'm not sure i would have gotten through some of the hard times.


3. If I could, I would give an Easter basket full of   money  to   a worthy cause, or an individual who is going through a very rough patch.


4. Is it weird that I   own fewer pairs of shoes than my Sweetie?



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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's garden has this delight blooming now.






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Today is:


American Circus Day -- the first circus in the US opened this day in Philadelphia in 1793


Anniversary of the Second Republic -- Republic of Guinea


Commemoration of the Birth of Lao-Tzu -- Taoist (15th day of 2nd lunar month)


Day Sacred to Bona Dea and Day of Proserpina's Rise from the Underworld -- Ancient Roman Calendar


Don't Go to Work Unless it's Fun Day -- and unless you have a really great job, we know your decision


Find-A-Rainbow Day -- a day to paint bright and colorful wishes for your friends, family, and sweetheart; if you actually find a rainbow in the sky, that's a plus, send a pic to the RainbowBrite site


Good Friday/Passion Friday -- Christian (remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus)

     National Hot Cross Bun Day -- US (always on Good Friday)

     Procession of the Mysteries -- Taranto, Italy

     Via Crusus (Way of the Cross) -- San Fernando, Philippines (reenactment of the Passion)

     World Marbles Day (always on Good Friday)


Hanshi a/k/a Cold Food Festival -- China (especially celebrated in the Shanxi Province, a commemoration of Jie Zitui, a loyal servant; no fires are to be lit and all food is too be served cold, a precursor to the Qingming Festival)


Hospital Admitting Clerks Day -- remembering those people at the front desk who make sure you get in and to the right place


National Chocolate Mousse Day


National Walk to Work Day -- US (originally sponsored by Prevention Magazine, and different from the one in September) 

Overcome a Handicap Day -- on the day, in 1981, when one-legged Canadian high jumper Arnie Boldt cleared 6 feet 8¼ inches, only about a foot under the world record at the time


Pony Express Day -- US; inaugurated this day in 1860


Second Republic Day -- Guinea


St. Irene of Thessalonica's Day (Patron of girls, peace)


St. Richard of Chichester's Day (called Ricardus, ri for ridens meaning "laughing", car for carus meaning "dear", dus for dulcis meaning "sweet"; Patron of coachmen and of the Diocese of Chichester, Sussex, England)


Student Government Day -- US (encouraging kids to learn about how government works by learning to govern themselves) 2nd Friday if the 1st is Good Friday


Tweed Day -- a day to consider the costs of political corruption, on the birth anniversary of "Boss" Tweed


World Aquatic Animal Day -- to raise awareness about the importance of aquatic animals and the threats they face


World Party Day -- anyone and everyone is invited to join the party  



Anniversaries Today:


Isle Royale National Park is established in Michigan, US, 1940

Edward the Confessor is crowned King of England, 1043



Birthdays Today:


Amanda Bynes, 1986

Leona Lewis, 1985

Cobie Smulders, 1982

Jamie Bamber, 1973

Jennie Garth, 1972

Picabo Street, 1971

Robert Chapin, 1964

Eddie Murphy, 1961

David Hyde Pierce, 1959

Alec Baldwin, 1958

Bernie Parent, 1945

Tony Orlando, 1944

Leona Lewis, 1943

Marsha Mason, 1942

Wayne Newton, 1942

Jane Goodall, 1934

Calvin "Baby Vet" Graham, 1930

Max Frankel, 1930

Virgil "Gus" Grissom, 1926

Jan Merlin, 1925

Marlon Brando, 1924

Doris Day, 1924

Herb Caen, 1916

Sally Rand, 1904

Henry Robinson Luce, 1898

Leslie Howard, 1893

John Burroughs, 1837

William Magear "Boss" Tweed, 1823

Edward Everett Hale, 1822

Washington Irving, 1783



Debuting/Premiering Today:


"Endgame"(Play), 1957

"TV Guide"(Publication), 1953



Today in History:


Edward the Confessor is crowned king of England, 1043

The US Pony Express begins its first run, 1860

Gottlieb Daimler receives a German patent for his engine, 1885

Trial of the libel case instigated by Oscar Wilde begins, eventually resulting in his imprisonment on charges of homosexuality, 1895

The US House of Representatives accept the "American's Creed," a patriotic contest winner by William Tyler Page, as the official creed of the US, 1918

The building of the RMS Queen Mary is commissioned, 1929

President Harry S. Truman signs the Marshall Plan, 1948

Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, 1968

The first portable cell phone call is made in New York City, 1973

Bobby Fischer refuses to play in a chess match against Anatoly Karpov, giving Karpov the title of World Champion by default, 1975

Conventional-Train World Speed Record: a French TGV train on the LGV Est high speed line sets an official new world speed record, 574.8 km/h (357.2 mph), 2007

Australia formally adopts the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, 2009

Following the News International phone hacking scandal, James Murdock resigns as Chairman of BskyB, 2012

France outlaws the hiring of models who do not meet new Body Mass Index (BMI) minimums for a certain period of time before and during a modeling job; the law aims to prevent promotion of anorexia among models and people who emulate them, 2015

Captain Brett Crozier is cheered as he leaves his ship after being fired for requesting more help for his sailors infected with Covid19, 2020

The Taliban outlaws cultivation of opium in Afghanistan, reducing the world's supply by 80%, 2022

NASA announces the four astronauts for the 2024 Artemis II lunar mission will be Americans Christina Hammock Koch, Victor Glover, Reid Wiseman and Canadian Jeremy Hansen, 2023