Just for Fun

One of the many great things about The Villages, Florida is the social clubs.  With over 3,100 plus clubs you have plenty to choose from.  If you have an interest there is a very good chance there is a social club already started if not start your own.  I enjoy exploring the different clubs and sharing, here is a fun club, check out their website:  www.southernvillagesfungirls.comWe are a fabulously FUN group of ladies who get together a few times monthly in the Southern section of The Villages and lots of fun bus trips! Our events are focused on YOU-niquely wonderful activities to connect our members, usually with delicious food and beverages in and around The Villages. Our monthly activities sell out quickly, so be sure to purchase a ticket as soon as you see the event posted on Faceb... 05/04/2025

Trivia question answers for Friday May 2, 20251. What major river flows through Cairo? Nile2. What is measured in Watts? Power3. What do you call a fat that is liquid at room temperature? Oil4. Who was the first Boy Scout to become a US president? John F KennedyTrivia questions for Saturday May 3, 20251. In Star Trek, what planet is Spock from?2. Whistle pig is another name for what animal?3. In ancient times, what were professional writers called?4. What pop group sang "Stayin Alive"?Enjoy your day.  05/03/2025

Trivia question answers for Wednesday April 30, 20251. How many bones are there in the human skull? 222. Who portrayed Mrs. Cleaver in "Leave it to Beaver"? Barbara Billingsly3. Who sang "You Can Call Me Al"? Paul Simon4. What is a half-hunter? A pocket watchTrivia questions for Thursday May 1, 20251. Who was the first jewish Miss America?2. What is the explosion at the end of a star's life cycle called?3. In what month is the Calgary Stampede held?4. Before becoming a singer, what was Perry Como's profession?Enjoy your day.  05/01/2025

Trivia questions for Thursday May 1, 20251. Who was the first jewish Miss America? Bess Myerson2. What is the explosion at the end of a star's life cycle called? Supernova3. In what month is the Calgary Stampede held? July4. Before becoming a singer, what was Perry Como's profession? BarberTrivia questions for Friday May 2, 20251. What major river flows through Cairo?2. What is measured in Watts?3. What do you call a fat that is liquid at room temperature?4. Who was the first Boy Scout to become a US president?Enjoy your day.  05/02/2025

Trivia question answers for Tuesday April 29, 20251. What variety of beans is used to make Boston baked beans? Navy2. What month is the Earth closest to the sun? January3. What's the oldest university in England? Oxford University4. Latin is primarily spoken in what area of the world? Northern ItalyTrivia questions for Wednesday April 30, 20251. How many bones are there in the human skull?2. Who portrayed Mrs. Cleaver in "Leave it to Beaver"?3. Who sang "You Can Call Me Al"?4. What is a half-hunter?Enjoy your day.  04/30/2025

Ok guys and gals dustoff your best seersucker suites and wide-brimmed hats. On Saturday, May 3rd, 2025, the 151st running of the Kentucky Derby will take place at Churchill Downs located in Louisville, Kentucky. Right now, it looks like 20 ponies will come charging out to the starting gate.. Here's the rundown.I'm going for Rodrigues for the win and American Promise as my longshot.                   2025 Kentucky Derby odds, post positions Post Horse Odds   1 Citizen Bull 20-1   2 Neoequos 30-1   3 Final Gambit 30-1   4 Rodriguez 12-1   5 American Promise 30-1   6 Admire Daytona 30-1   7 Luxor Cafe 15-1   8 Journalism 3-1   9 Burnham Square 12-1   10 Grande 20-1   11 Flying Mohawk 30-1   12 East Avenue 20-1   13 Publisher 20-1   14 Tiztastic 20-1   15 Render Judgement 30-1   16 Coal Bat... 04/27/2025

Trivia question answers for Monday April 28, 20251. Where was the ballet invented? Italy2. Where were fortune cookies invented? San Francisco3. What was Memorial Day originally known as? Decoration Day4. What is the loudest animal on earth? Sperm WhaleTrivia questions for Tuesday April 29, 20251. What variety of beans is used to make Boston baked beans?2. What month is the Earth closest to the sun?3. What's the oldest university in England?4. Latin is primarily spoken in what area of the world?Enjoy your day.  04/29/2025

Trivia question answers for Sunday April 27, 20251. How many Justices are on the US Supreme Court? 92. What fruit is packed with the most calories? The avocado3. What did ancient Egyptians use as pillows? Wooden or stone headrests4. What does Pinocchio in Italian mean? Pine eyesTrivia questions for Monday April 28, 20251. Where was the ballet invented?2. Where were fortune cookies invented?3. What was Memorial Day originally known as?4. What is the loudest animal on earth?Enjoy your day.  04/28/2025

It has been quite busy with getting new listings on the market, getting them into pending status, and answering all the calls/texts from agents the last couple of weeks.    Today was a day I was STAYING HOME.    Plus, Sunday is my cleaning/laundry day.    If I can get everything done, will watch a movie this afternoon.I was able to watch a Nuggets game yesterday afternoon, and now the series is tied up with the LA Clippers - 2-2.   Same with the Avs, they are playing Dallas Stars, and tied up 2-2.Found my sweet Izzi in the stroller, as she must want to go for a walk!   She jumped out the first time I spotted her, and she got back in!   Glad she is comfy!Now for some funnies - This one was really funny to me, as I used to ask clients, do you need this room, I dust my stove!   LOL Have a ... 04/27/2025

 If there is something you fear, it may be getting in your way of being all you can be, aka fully blooming into the person you are meant to be.    The April 2025 ActiveRain Challenge is called "Are you blooming or being a fool?." Our challenge, should we accept it, is to share an example of something in our life that bloomed, and/or to share an April fool's type story. After thinking about this nearly all month, this particular writer will be sharing something that bloomed. I've written about this before, in this post, but I think this is an appropriate example of how something can bloom. Basically, this something started as an idea that grew until it became an action that grew into many actions. Those actions changed an extremely shy young woman afraid to speak in public (me) into a co... 05/03/2025

Hamm's Beer CakeCream very well:             2 cups sugar1 cup shortening2 eggs 1 teaspoon cinnamonAdd                                       3 cups flour2 teaspoon flour2 teaspoons baking soda1 cup walnuts12 oz of beer (since Hamms Beer is not around, use Miller lite or Bud Lite)Grease pan or spray with Pam.Bake at 350 in a 9 x 13 pan for 45 mins. 04/27/2025

Growing up in Pennsylvania I was lucky to be surrounded by lots of great cooks from both my Grandmothers to Aunts and my Mom.This is a recipe a recipe bu my gandmother Hamm1 cup Macaroni                                                    1/4 lb hamburger1 medium onion, chopped                                    1 cup grated cheese1 green pepper chopped                                       salt and pepper to taste1/4 cup celery, finely chopped                             2 tbsp butter1 1/2 cup tomato sauceSaute hamburger and onion,pepper celery in then add seasonings and tomato sauce.  Simmer for 15 minutes.  then add cooked macaroni and cheese; simmer a while longer to taste. 04/27/2025

As I get older, I'm finding that routines, maintenance lists, and checklists are the only way to get things done.  On Sunday, I make a list of all our appointments and scheduled items on the board so we can see them when we're at the breakfast table. Repair people want a window to be here so I have a short list of things I can do while I wait.The birds want their feeders filled when they are empty, the water bowls around the yard for visiting cats and dogs need to be refreshed daily, and the roses need to be deadheaded every couple of days.This week, Henry has a doctor's appointment, and the car needs to be serviced, so I will have to schedule that. Then there is the general cleaning and cooking.  For work I have two 1/2 day appointments for showing houses. I have 2 hours each morning t... 04/27/2025

Trivia question answers for Saturday April 26, 20251. What were "Jungle Fountains" during World War II? Coca=Cola provided to the US troops2. In which sea would you find the Cayman Islands? Caribbean Sea3. What grows in the brain when doing cognitive exercises? Dendrites4. Who was the second president of the US? John AdamsTrivia questions for Sunday April 27, 20251. How many Justices are on the US Supreme Court?2. What fruit is packed with the most calories?3. What did ancient Egyptians use as pillows?4. What does Pinocchi in Italian mean?Enjoy your day.  04/27/2025

Even as a young boy, I enjoy recycling all kinds of things.  I have repurposed paper towel rolls, toilette paper rolls, plastic coffee containers and more but I have never considered recycling or reusing/repurposing empty pill containers. When I found the article below, it got my attention. The article was written by Jessica Shields in March of 2023. Jessica Shields writes for How Stuff Works.Over 64 percent of Americans take one or more prescription drugs. From antibiotics to antidepressants, 4.7 billion prescriptions were dispensed in 2022. Pill containers are usually made of number five plastic (polypropylene, or PP), which is what yogurt containers, and many reusable food-safe containers are made of. You can tell if you're dealing with a number five recyclable plastic by looking at ... 04/27/2025

April 27th Puzzle - National Tell A Story Day:Enjoy your day!Directions: Click on the link below.  Your puzzle will open in a new window.To locate a word, please hold down the left side of your mouse while dragging your cursor over the letters of that word. Release your hold when all of the letters of the word have been selected. If your response is correct, the word will change color on the word list.Please check back for future daily puzzles.Enjoy and have a great day!Click Here To PlayIf you are looking to purchase a property or home on Long Island, New York, I hope you think of me, Linda Blumenthal. 04/27/2025

Trivia question answers for Friday April 25, 20251. What is brass an alloy of? Copper & zinc2. Who was the original voice of Mickey Mouse? Walt Disney3. What makes up most of the dust particles found in a house? Dead skin4. What is the defining feature of a deciduous tree? Drops its leavesTrivia questions for Saturday April 26, 20251. What were "Jungle Fountains" during World War II?2. In which sea would you find the Cayman Islands?3. What grows in the brain when doing cognitive exercises?4. Who was the second president of the US? Enjoy your day.  04/26/2025

After flying again, I am reminded of life's little annoyances!! Travel brings this out in all of us.  For example.... grown men wearing shorts in sub 50 degree weather... the seat mate that puts their carry on items in your space.. the guy in seat 33F that sops in the second row of the plane to see if it is his seat....also note the open mouth gaze The rush to the gate during boarding....half of the plane boards in Group 1 and the gate agents allow it Roller board kid....20's something Gen Z or whatever they are that is putting a skateboard in the overhead and taking up the entire space for three people. The variation of this is Guitarzan....the fledgling amateur musician who feels that his guitar is more important than our laptops and personal items....and the gate agents that allow th... 04/25/2025

This Week…Celebrating Birds Easter was fun, and I loved being with the family. But it was time to return to bird monitoring duty! Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark. Rabindranath TagoreToday is National Audubon Day, and if you don’t know yet, Larry and I love our birds! This week, we welcomed an Oriole as it passed through our yard on its way north from Central America to its breeding grounds in eastern and central North America.  Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best.Attributed to Henry Van Dyke Even though they don’t linger, we put out grape jelly and a cut orange for them. Mama Bluebird here laid egg #1 of her second brood on Easter Sunday. There are 5 beautiful blue eggs in the ... 04/26/2025

This white amaryllis is a beautiful sight that greets us from the wall by our front patio when arriving home. It opened 2 days ago after much anticipation as we watched the buds mature over the last couple of weeks. This is its 2nd blooming. We originally planted the bulb for Christmas 2023. We had hoped it would bloom again this past Christmas but it didn't happen. It came back to life a couple of months ago and we hoped it might blossom for Easter but we missed that holiday, too. You can't rush Mother Nature I suppose. We'd like to have it indoors while it's blooming so we could enjoy it but our cat Fiona likes to chomp on flowers and greenery. Given amaryllis are toxic for cats indoor residency is out of the question. So we enjoy it where it is. There is a red and white striped amary... 04/25/2025