Just for Fun

Book Recommendation: The View from Lake Como by Adriana TrigianiThe View from Lake Como (2025) is the latest standalone novel by the New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani. I enjoyed this book and highly recommed it for your reading pleasure. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and her many books.From the beloved New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, a “dazzling” storyteller (Washington Post), and a “comedy writer with a heart of gold” (NYT), comes a novel about one woman’s quest to build her own life before it’s too late.Jess Capodimonte Baratta is not living the life of her dreams. Not even close.In blue-collar Lake Como, New Jersey, family comes first. Recently divorced from Bobby Bilancia, “the perfect husband,” Jess moves ... 02/05/2026

Live music can either feel like background noise or a full-on experience and in Fresno’s busy band scene, Sceleton Kru` has chosen the second option. This local four-piece rock band isn’t interested in standing still on a stage, running through the same overplayed songs, and calling it a night. Instead, they’re building something more memorable: shows that feel personal, inclusive, and alive.Fronted by Wayne Hamilton, Sceleton Kru` has been steadily gaining attention for their bold song choices, genre-spanning setlists, and most importantly, their ability to connect with audiences in a way many bands don’t even attempt. Their philosophy is simple if people came out to be entertained, the band should meet them halfway.A Local Fresno Band That Refuses to Blend InFresno is no stranger to l... 02/03/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday February 2, 20261. What candy company bought the Friendly's Restaurants chain in 1979? Hershey's2. Which US President had a mockingbird he carried on his shoulder?    Thomas Jefferson3. What was the first US state to ban billboards? Hawaii4. On a medical diploma what does D.D.S stand for? Doctor ofDental SurgeryTrivia questions for Tuesday February 3, 20261. Why do Italians eat lentils on New Year's Eve?2. Who introduced potatoes into Ireland?3. What status did astronomers downgrade Pluto in 2006?4. What candy company makes Goobers and Raisinets?Enjoy your day.. 02/03/2026

Each year on 2nd of February, and this year on Monday February 02, 2026, we celebrated National Groundhog Day.Punxsutawney Phil will communicated in "Groundhogese" and saw his shadow, it means Punxsutawney Phil predicted we will see at least six more weeks of Winter.Hopefully, next year we will have better prediction by Punxsutawney Phil for more fun activities on Groundhog Day.Wishing everyone at Active Rain community a Happy and Fun Groundhog Day. 02/03/2026

I've been playing around with Microsoft Copilot lately — that's Microsoft's version of ChatGPT, another AI helper in the ever-growing parade of digital assistants.Mostly, I've been using it to tweak my writing. Grammar, punctuation, phrasing — that sort of thing. It’s like having a very polite editor who never rolls their eyes.But recently, a friend mentioned he'd used ChatGPT to generate graphics — even caricatures — and suggested I see if Copilot could do the same. So I figured, what the heck. Let’s give it a whirl.I typed into the engine: "Create a caricature of me based on everything you know about me."Now, Copilot only knows what I’ve typed into it. It doesn’t have autonomous internet access (meaning it doesn’t go off and search on its own unless I tell it to), and it doesn’t have ... 02/02/2026

SOOOO fun to look back on travel photos, some of them make you smile!    This trip to Alaska was really fun back in 2017.I booked the flight into Anchorage, and that was home base.   I rented a car, and drove around Anchorage and up to Wasilla in the first couple of days.   I drove down to Hope and loved how the tall mountains were on one side of the road, and the ocean on the other.One day I took a day cruise to see the glaciers, which was really fun.I had booked a Bed & Breakfast and then I was driving down to Homer Spit to get on the fishing boat.    Had no idea there wouldn't be other women, just other men fisher people!    They had sent me a list of what to bring, and what to wear.  We were on the ocean for 13 hours, and it gets rather windy while getting out to the fishing hole.Do... 02/05/2026

My dad grew up in the South. Near Meridian Mississippi. Because of him, even though I grew up in San Diego, when I get tired or sick, I speak with a Southern accent. My grandma would cook me rabbit for lunch (which she killed that morning) and serve it with sweet tea. I learned that RC Cola and a Moon Pie is an acceptable meal. And y’all is a term you hear from people that care about you. But for those that aren’t aware of what it is like to be Southern, here is what a ghost story show would look like in the South: 02/03/2026

Pennsylvania is pretty far from Colorado, and usually does not predict our crazy weather in Denver, so we have our own "GroundHog".   We sure could use more snow, even our ski resorts are hurting.  As you can see our mostly blue skies, but today is a bit gray with clouds.  #bringsnow  #weneedsnowinColoradoIf you don't know what this is - this is Lucifer, and you will find him on the ride to Denver Internaitonal Airport.   02/02/2026

Joining the Portugal Expat Group on Facebook has sure provided so many beautiful locations throughout the Country of Portugal.   When I get there, I have heard it will take 3-4 more months to finalize my VISA, and again, they keep my passport until they are done.  SO, while waiting, I can wander around Portugal and see the sights I have missed!Here was one that popped up today - it very far north close to Braga.Misarella Bridge - the bridge that was built by the DevilLegend has it that the Misarela bridge was built by the Devil himself. And apparently the Devil has good taste. Discover her story! Our country is rich in legends and stories passed down orally over generations, closing in a set of traditions that perpetuate the cultural part of our heritage over the centuries. It is not ha... 02/03/2026

One thing about Facebook, kind of fun when you sign in and see something from a year ago or more.    Today I signed in and last year Izzi was always laying on the vents, indicating she was cold, so I bought a hoodie for her.Well, needless to say, she did NOT appreciate it.   On the other hand, Lucy was sporting it, like she liked it.    Izzi has always been the cold kitty, and really did think she would like it.This "winter" it hasn't been cold much, so haven't tried putting it on Izzi, as she most likely wouldn't like it anyway.   Sure was fun though!   02/02/2026

Groundhog Day has its roots in Pennsylvania Dutch (German) folklore, and it’s a fun blend of old European tradition and early American history.Here’s the story 👇🌱 Where it startedThe tradition comes from ancient European weather lore. Long before groundhogs, people watched animals on Candlemas Day (February 2) to predict how much winter remained. In Germany, it was often a badger or hedgehog.The idea was simple: ☀️ If the animal saw its shadow → more winter ahead ☁️ If it didn’t → spring would come early 🇺🇸 How it came to PennsylvaniaIn the 1700s, German immigrants (the “Pennsylvania Dutch” — Deutsch, not Dutch) settled in Pennsylvania and brought this tradition with them.No hedgehogs here, though — so they chose a local substitute:👉 the groundhog (aka woodchuck)🐿️ Punxsutawney PhilThe ... 02/02/2026

“You can’t get rich in politics unless you are a crook.”- Harry S. Truman Born: May 8, 1884 Died: December 26, 1972 President: 1945 - 1953    “You can’t get rich in politics unless you are a crook.”- Harry S. TrumanBorn: May 8, 1884Died: December 26, 1972President: 1945 - 1953 As Vice President, Truman was thrust into office unexpectedly after Franklin D. Roosevelt had served only 82 days of his fourth term. He led the nation through the final months of World War II and during the early, tense years of the Cold War. Truman grew up on his family's Missouri farm, rising early for chores.  When he was 8 years old, he received his first pair of glasses. He was nearsighted and had a condition described as "flat eyeballs."  He wore thick, round glasses from a young age. His poor eyesight kept... 02/03/2026

Trivia question answers for Sunday February 1, 20261. What color eggs do peacocks lay? They don't lay eggs2. What does M&M stand for? Mars & Murrie3. What was the first TV kids show in the US? Howdy Doody 4. What does an "ungulate" animal have?  HoovesTrivia questions for Monday February 2, 20261. What candy company bought the Friendly's Restaurants chain in 1979?2. Which US President had a mockingbird he carried on his shoulder?3. What was the first US state to ban billboards?4. On a medical diploma what does D.D.S stand for?Enjoy your day. 02/02/2026

Journal Entry for February 2, 2026 - purely made-up revision by Patricia Feager, with a sprinkle of truth & love. Once upon a time on February 2, 1887, in a place affectionately called Rodent Land, a curious and mischievous rodent found himself unable to resist breaking a long-standing rule. Traditionally, rodents would stay tucked away in their burrows, waiting for the world outside to warm up. But on this particular day, our protagonist—a rule-breaker by nature—decided he had to see what he was missing in the world beyond his cozy hole. Suddenly, a curious encounter occurred that nobody in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania ever saw before! A big old fat rat poked his nose above the earth. He wasn’t alone. A meteorologist, equally curious and diligent, was poking around the dirt. The meteorol... 02/02/2026

Motivational Monday…Thanks for the Bumpsand Detours in Life Many years ago…April 13, 2006…I read my horoscope, and it must have struck a chord because I not only saved it, but took a picture of it. I wondered what might have been happening in my life at that time to make me want to save it. ActiveRain and home staging were but a dot on the distant horizon. Still, it fits with my intention to seek out the positives in my life. No one’s journey…day to day or year to year…is perfect. We have plans, and then, yes, God says Surprise!Throughout our life we’ll experience rejections, missed opportunities, detours, and roadblocks that will put us on a different path. Where we go and what we do from that point is up to us.  My Detour…After completing grad school with an MA in Applied Clinical Psy... 02/02/2026

Weekend Recipes: Puffed Soup Croutons Several years ago, Mike and I were celebrating a special occasion. He made reservations at a fine dining restaurant, where I ordered a bowl of Lobster Bisque, prior to the main course. When it arrived, the waiter took a pair of silver tongs and placed the biggest crustiest, golden crouton right dab in the center. Talk about impressive! While picking up a few items at the grocery store that other day, I thought to make some for our homemade Banana Squash soup (squash grown in Nerdin Gardens) for dinner that night then and added puff pastry to the list of items. Puffed Soup CroutonsDirections:• Roll out puff pastry on parchment.• Cut squares out. Choose your own size.• Brush a thin layer of mayonaise on top of all.• Sprinkle Salad Supreme seasoning sp... 02/01/2026

Book Recommendation: Blown Away by Brett BattlesStuart Woods' Blown Away (2025) is a Teddy Fay Novel Featuring Stone Barrington by author Brett Battles. Click on the link to reach the website to learn more about the author and this book. (Stuart Woods passed away in 2022).Former CIA operative Teddy Fay returns for another thrilling Hollywood adventure in this latest installment in the New York Times bestselling series.Teddy Fay whisks away to join Peter and Hattie Barrington in Palm Springs. But his hope for a relaxing vacation vanishes when he attends a prominent actor’s annual birthday party, where he witnesses a heated squabble between two women, only for one of them to turn up dead the next day.Teddy investigates who might be lurking in the shadows and uncovers a web of intrigue inv... 02/03/2026

I saw this the other day, and have to try it, and have all the ingredients, so probably this week.   Sounds delicious to me!Crockpot Steak Bites 2# sirloin steak, cut into bite-sized cubes 1/4 c low-sodium soy sauce 1/4 cup beef broth 1T Worcestershire sauce 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 T olive oil 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp paprika Fresh parsley, chopped Place sirloin steak cubes into the crockpot, spreading them out in an even layer.  Try to keep the pieces roughly the same size so they cook evenly and become tender at the same time.In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and minced garlic.  As you stir, you’ll notice the sauce already smells rich and savory, with that deep umami flavor building.Pour the sauce mixture evenly over ... 02/01/2026

Snow days are not just for children. Adults love them too, even if we rarely say it out loud.When five inches of soft white snow fall overnight, something quietly shifts. The pace slows. The calendar loosens its grip. The outside world becomes muted and bright at the same time. For a brief moment, expectations soften.As adults, snow days no longer come with official announcements or canceled classes. They arrive differently. A delayed meeting. A closed office. A decision to work from home. Sometimes simply the permission to pause because travel is not worth the risk. Yet the feeling is familiar. A shared understanding that today will not run at full speed.There is comfort in watching snow fall while staying warm inside. Coffee tastes better. The view out the window feels intentional. Th... 02/01/2026

Friday Flags: Show a Little Love for the Town Garage FlagWe have had a difficult and very cold winter so far and it is not over yet. The town garage is active ahead of storms with the trucks getting prepared for the storms as well as residents going in to pull a pail or 2 of sand for walkways.As I was pulling in it had shown a full wave, but when I got out of the car to take the photo it seemed to tease me and wanted me to spend some time there.As I was getting ready to take the shot, a truck parked right in front of me as if to check what I was doing. Once it pulled away, the wind stopped. I needed to step across the roadway, but traffic was heavy.Finally, I got my chance and took it.It was worth the wait, and I do hope that when I get back to town, the snow will be less on the ground ... 02/06/2026