Just for Fun

Prep Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 3 hrs Total Time: 3 hrs 5 mins Servings: 6 12 chicken drumsticks 1 (5 ounce) bottle hot red pepper sauce ¼ cup butter, cubed ½ teaspoon garlic powder ½ teaspoon onion powder salt and pepper to taste 1 ½ cups blue cheese salad dressing Directions Place drumsticks in a slow cooker, and sprinkle evenly with pieces of butter. Pour hot sauce over the chicken, then season with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cover, and cook on High for 3 hours, or until tender. Serve chicken legs with blue cheese dressing on the side.    For crispier chicken, bake in a 400-degree F oven for the final 30 minutes. 01/18/2026

Journaling for Saturday 1/17/2026 We can all learn more from each other's posts about words, idioms, grammar, and usage. In a recent well-deserved FEATURE about Capital Gains dated January 14, 2026, by Matt Helganz, there was one comment from Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate using the word "octogenarians." Out of curiosity, since I was not familiar with that word, I looked it up and learned about milestone jewels that struck me with awe!  IF YOU ARE HAVING A BIRTHDAY THIS YEARTURNING 25 YEARS OR OLDER,YOU ARE NOT OLD. YOU SPARKLE!!!---Patricia FeagerFor example, 60 years is called a Diamond Jubilee, symbolizing strength and brilliance. Other milestone anniversaries include: Silver (25), symbolizes purity, strength, clarity, focus, and the feminine energy.  Golden (50), is a symbol of we... 01/17/2026

Hero Quote:  "I signed the Declaration with a steady hand, though my sons were prisoners aboard a British ship." — Abraham Clark 🧱 The Life Behind the Signature Abraham Clark was a self-taught surveyor, a “poor man’s counselor,” and a Founding Father who risked everything for liberty. 📦 Summary—Who was Abraham Clark?  Abraham Clark was a self-taught surveyor, legal advisor, and Declaration of Independence signer from New Jersey.   🖋️ Hero Quote:  "I signed the Declaration with a steady hand, though my sons were prisoners aboard a British ship." — Abraham Clark   🧱 The Life Behind the Signature   Abraham Clark was a self-taught surveyor, a “poor man’s counselor,” and a Founding Father who risked everything for liberty.   📦 Summary—Who was Abraham Clark?    Abraham Clark was a self-taugh... 01/18/2026

Trivia question answers for Friday January 16, 20261. Honeydew is a variety of what? Melon2. What do Mc and Mac mean when used in surnames? Son of3. What do the letters XO stand for on a bottle of cognac? Extra Old4. What is the most expensive aircraft In the world? Air Force OneTrivia questions for Saturday January 17, 20261. What Disney cartoon character originally had the name Mortimer?2. What is the axial better known as?3. What type of vegetable is a "marrowfat"?4. What was the original name for jeans?Enjoy your day. 01/17/2026

This Week…Real Men DO Eat Quiche It’s been fun trying new recipes as well as revisiting old favorites from years ago. We can thank Anna "Banana" Kruchten  for her post in July, which encouraged us to share recipes in the Bananatudes group. This week, I had 3 ingredients I needed to use: crabmeat, asparagus, and a sheet of puff pastry. I found a recipe and made a few changes. Larry loved it! And…it was easy.Notes:  I used the puff pastry I had in the freezer but you could use a pie crust or make a crustless quiche.  If you don’t have crabmeat, you could use shrimp or even ham…whatever you want The heavy whipping cream was a must for me because it adds a rich texture. But you can mix milk with heavy cream I added leftover asparagus, but you could omit it or add another light veggie  _____... 01/17/2026

I made this years ago, and thought I better hunt through some recipes to see what I should make for all the play-off games this weekend.   Mexican Tortilla Casserole  1# ground beef 1/2 cup diced onion 1 pack taco seasoning mix 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese 1 can refried beans (they spread easier if you warm them in microwave) 1 cup prepared rice (I used Minute rice) 1 can Mexican blend corn (drained) (I actually didn't add this) 4-5 large flour tortillas 8 oz of thick chunky salsa (your choice mild or hot) Spray a spring form, round cake pan or casserole with cooking sprayBrown ground beef and onion, then drainAdd taco seasoning and cook according to the package directionsLay 1 tortilla in the bottom on baking dish, spread 1/3 of the beans on it, top with 1/3 of the meat, and sprinkle... 01/17/2026

Book Recommendation: The Lace Widow by Mollie Ann CoxThe Lace Widow (December, 2023, Crooked Lane Books) is the first novel of the Eliza Hamilton Mystery series by Mollie Ann Cox (Maggie Blackburn, Mollie Cox Bryan). I enjoyed this book and recommend this series for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to learn more about the books in this series.Could Alexander Hamilton be at the center of a vast murder plot engulfing Old New York? As his widow, Eliza, pieces together the puzzle, she unearths a heartbreaking secret that threatens to tear her family apart.Perfect for fans of Sherry Thomas and Deanna Raybourn, taking us from the city’s gilded mansions to its meanest streets, Mollie Ann Cox’s debut historical mystery transports readers to center stage in a time of grave political dang... 01/20/2026

This week has been busy in traveling to various vacant land parcels here in Golden Valley, AZ.  I am a firm believer if a seller wants me to list his or her rural real estate vacant land property, I must visit the property, take photos, determine the best road access along with the availability of utilities such as electricity and water.This belief reinforces the REALTOR®’s Code of Ethics that being to “protect and promote.”  Here not only in Golden Valley, but in Mohave County many roads show “right of ways” by the county, but have never been “cut in.” Roads that have been “cut in” often are single lane cow trails where Mother Nature graciously gives your vehicle pin-stripping. This is why many of my listings make this statement in capitol letters:DO NOT FOLLOW GPS!How can I promote my... 01/16/2026

If you’re a foodie—or just someone who enjoys a great meal—there’s no better time to explore Greenville SC than during South Carolina Restaurant Week. This annual culinary celebration is your chance to experience some of the best restaurants in Greenville SC without breaking the bank, all while discovering why the city’s dining scene is becoming a must-visit destination. What is South Carolina Restaurant Week?South Carolina Restaurant Week is a statewide event held twice a year, featuring specially priced lunch and dinner menus at participating restaurants. In Greenville, diners can indulge in curated dishes from top chefs at a fraction of the usual cost. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience Greenville SC dining at its finest—whether you’re craving Southern comfort food, upscale i... 01/16/2026

Trivia question answers for Thursday January 15, 20261. Which flower is also known as the "Lent Lily"? Daffodil2. What seaport's name is Spanish for "White House"? Casablanca3. What animal's name literally means "pig-fish"? Porpoise4. Who is "the Science Guy? Bill NyeTrivia questions for Friday January 16, 20261. Honeydew is a variety of what?2. What do Mc and Mac mean when used in surnames?3. What do the letters XO stand for on a bottle of cognac?4. What is the most expensive aircraft In the world?Enjoy your day. 01/16/2026

It seems that people need a laugh – especially on Friday. So, we dig back in to classic comedy scenes from a much better age of television. Some clips I found from past TV comedy when TV comedy meant something far different from today. A more innocent time and a time of real quality. Hope you enjoy the clips. Due to the length, there is just 1 clip per week. Enjoy! 01/16/2026

Speed, certainty, and cashflow matter more than ever for real estate investors. Rising interest rates, tighter underwriting standards, and increased competition have forced investors to rethink how they finance rental properties. Traditional mortgage approvals that rely on personal income, tax returns, and debt to income ratios often slow transactions down or eliminate opportunities entirely. This shift has pushed many investors toward DSCR loans, also known as Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans, as a more efficient way to acquire income producing real estate.A DSCR loan is designed specifically for real estate investors. Rather than qualifying the borrower based on W2 income or tax returns, DSCR financing evaluates whether the rental property itself can support the monthly mortgage paym... 01/15/2026

I have not been all that good at doing the homework (not required) suggested for our Tuesday Active Rain Zoom meeting BUT I am excited to tell you about last Tuesday's meeting with Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP as he told us all about California (at least as much as you can tell in about 50 minutes).It's been decades, literally, since my trip to CA so all I know about it is the crazy reports I hear on the news and in social media. Thomas made it clear California is not as crazy as one would think... except maybe in the bigger cities political scenes.I found some similarities between his market and mine. To begin with no one seems to go through the trouble of saying "San Francisco", it's NOT San Fran or Frisco. It's San Francisco. No one pronounces Minot correctly e... 01/16/2026

Friday Fun…Your Go-To Cold-Weather Food We’ve had weather that’s been like a roller coaster this winter. On Christmas Day, we wore shorts. Some of our days started in coats and scarves and ended in shorts and t-shirts. So…as soon as it looks like we’re headed for super cold weather, our kitchen is fired up for chili and corn bread. Nothing says you can’t eat chili when it’s 90 degrees out; however, when the temps drop (in Houston, that means below 50), it’s time to cook chili! In fact, when the weather reports predict colder temps, our grocery store has everything you need to make chili as you enter the store.  A friend loves a grilled cheese sandwich with soup when it’s cold out, and I have another who wants meatloaf and mac and cheese. My grandmother always made a big pot of stew with... 01/16/2026

Book Recommendation: Death at a Scottish Wedding by Lucy ConnellyDeath at a Scottish Wedding (2024, Crooked Lane Books) is the second installment of the Scottish Isle Mystery series by author Lucy Connelly (Candace Havens). I enjoyed this novel and recommend this series for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to learn more about the author and her books.Dr. Emilia McRoy is back on the case in the second book in the Scottish Isle mystery series, perfect for fans of Sheila Connolly and Charlene O’Connor.Something old, something new, something borrowed and someone’s blue…Finally feeling like Sea Isle, Scotland is becoming her new home, American doctor Emilia McRoy is delighted when she is invited to a wedding at Morrigan's Castle. Her friends have warned her that it's a three-day part... 01/19/2026

This, of course, reminds me of the old grandfatherly "I got your nose".While looking for a graphic I came across this fun looking childrens book. I linked the picture to the bookseller if you want to know more.My Real Estate tie to this cartoon is that while I  hardly remember my Grandpa I do remember (vaguely) Grandma and Grandpa's house. I was six years old when grandpa died and shortly after his death my grandma moved in with us. That being said: again I was six years old and that was 65 years ago! Still, the point being, I remember grandma and grandpa's house.I am hoping for, and looking forward too, my grandchildren running around my house some day. Memory is aided by visual association. If I move to be closer to my daughter and her husband I want to have a house for them to visit.... 01/16/2026

ATTIC DISCOVERY Once again, we’re in Ansonville, North Carolina. At the fable house that belong to Big Mama aka Flora Cox VonCannon.  She rented the front part out to Pa Porter and Grandma Porter aka George Allen and Elizabeth Porter also under the guise as Hawk. Not to be confused with the superheroes.There was this mysterious staircase in the guest bedroom that went up to the attic.The attic was a refuge, a hiding place even in the summer when it was like 1000°, I would go up into the attic as there was a single iron post bed, a cedar chest, and numerous odds and ends, etc.I ended up inheriting the Hope chest, which I still own today. It is made entirely of cedar. It was handmade and it was Big Mama’s that she brought when she married Granddad VonCannon aka Graham Ellis VonCannon whic... 01/15/2026

“To sit in the shade on a fine day and look upon nature is the most perfect refreshment.”-Jane AustenMy brother's wife, Beverly, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2026. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary next month. Beverly was a remarkable person. She had a way of being rooted and expansive at the same time. Her heart was firmly planted in their blueberry farm in Corbett, yet her curiosity and love for the world carried her far beyond it. Nature was not something she simply admired; it was something she engaged with fully, wherever she happened to be.The blueberry farm was central to her and my brother's life. From her dining table, she delighted in watching the birds gather at the feeders, the squirrels picking up the scraps below, and the blueberry fields str... 01/16/2026

🐈Tango, Trey, and Tom Boy 1-22-26☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianI know that there are many cat lovers in the Rain, so now you can follow the adventures of Tango, Trey, and Tom Boy if you love pictures of cats!  I welcome everyone to share photos of your cats along with your comments.☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email Brian 01/22/2026

As the day begins, let your breath move like a quiet tide.Notice the beauty that exists without effort—the soft light, the steady earth, the simple gift of being here.With each inhale, welcome clarity and gentle joy.With each exhale, release what no longer needs your attention.Peace is already present beneath the surface of thought.Gratitude opens your awareness to it.Carry this calm light with you, letting it shape your steps,your words, and your way of seeing. 01/15/2026