August was a great month, we had the Matlock reunion with the Agopsowiczs at the Stinson's Cabin at Wakaw Lake to start it off big. Louise and David and their friend John (That's probably not how his name is spelled) visited Regina during their travels in Canada and hosted a family reunion at Regina Beach, and our little Ellie celebrated her 2nd birthday at Echo Lake (where we had a three kite moment) compliments of Thomas and Lorraine to end it big. Thanks to all involved.
Love, Ed
190 comments:
How could I forget!!! During August we also had a seven day sleep over with our little four while their parents visited France.
Love, Ed
Well Ed, it's a "new month...new chapter for us too. Tonight we are back in St. Andrews after seven weeks of travel through BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan. We sure covered a lot of ground. In fact, Dave tells me that we put about 7500km on our rental car.
After ZOOM went into receivership on Thursday, Dave went into high gear and got us back on track. Yesterday afternoon, Air transat left Calgary right on time. The flight was good and today we landed in Manchester a few minutes earlier than expected, at 6:05 am bst.
We made a quick transfer to a National Express bus to Glasgow and another smooth transition there onto a Stagecoach bus headed for St. Andrews. A local taxi brought us right to our front door by 5:15 pm.
Our neighbours greeted us with the kind of warmth and enthusiasm that makes coming home so good at the end of a long, satisfying journey.
Thanks to everyone who made our stay in Canada a time of highlights, friendship and love. When we wake up tomorrow morning the blur of holiday images should begin to clear into wonderful memories of specific people, places and times. For now, all we can muster is thanks, good night and sweet dreams!
Lots of love,
Lucy
Hi All,
Once again I posted on the old thread as Edward was doing a new one. Oh well, we all slow down a bit as we get older.
It sounds like you had a great August Dean and Ed. Your 4 little ones are keeping you young.
Lucy and Dave, I can hardly believe you put that many km on your rental. We didn't put that many on our car for over a year. You will need some time to recuperate from your extensive holiday.
We always enjoy the first weekend in September because of the Gatineau hot air balloon festival. We watched over 60 balloons go up yesterday and this morning and saw quite a few last night as well. It is the start of autumn for me. I hope it is the start of a great season for everyone. Happy September 1.
Love, BJ
BJ... I'm glad you mentioned the old thread. I went back and read your well-wishes for our safe journey home. It was a smooth and easy trip, thanks! Today, we are weary but well.
I'm glad that autumn had such an "airy" and bright start for you. Bob's pictures of that part of Canada in its fall splendor suggest that there's a lot more colorful days in store for you. Enjoy!
Love, Lucy
Hi again blogatives,
As promised in mid-July , I am posting the latest quiz from Fife. This one is called "NAME THAT BIRD". It is sponsored by St. John's Church in Cupar and the proceeds will go to the parish's Organ Fund.
You may remember that our friend Margaret paid the 50 pence entry fee for us and gave me the quiz back in July. I left it until now because the closing date for entries is September 30th. We have lots of time, right?
I have not yet had any feedback on either of the quizzes we entered in July. The closing dates for those two were late-August and early September. I'll let you know if anything comes through on them in the next few days. Beyond that, we are probably out of luck.
In the meantime, name that bird!
LOL, Lucy
NAME THAT BIRD (#1 to 12)
eg: Hotel within lease = Linnet
1. It could smash bricks on this road to fame.
2. Sounds painful.
3. Alive in its hide.
4. A female ruff.
5. A wee job.
6. LUG IT MOLE (anag)
7. Tie up your boat, dear!!
8. Get up Catherine.
9. Silence before the final appearance.
10. He doesn't angle with a silver hook. He's an ace.
11. White flags.
12. Can support ruin.
NAME THAT BIRD (#13 to 24)
13. Bird watching is one of those.
14. ELDER TOT (anag)
15. Happy ending!!
16. Continue--before bill and berry.
17. Use it to test the frozen gateau!
18. Rough fuel.
19. Put this on the donkey!
20. A left count.
**21. NO GOOD WIFE (anag)
22. Demolish or charge.
23. I'd hesitate to get down.
24. Bird chasing a morsel? No the opposite.
(**after distribution, a misprint was spotted in #21. It may not be counted in the end.)
NAME THAT BIRD (#25 to 35)
25. Could this be a window for Midas?
26. Does he play at the seaside?
27. The Plough.
28. Cut the crackle.
29. Once worn by judges (hist.)
30. Have you noticed Pinocchio's nose?
31. Is this hunter as close as a Kentish one?
32. This plucky fellow gains a point.
33. A pedlar? Almost.
34. Embarrassing gear on a note.
35. Why ring Eve's number first
Happy bird-watching!
LOL, Lucy
It's a good thing Bob has so many bird books. I think I may need them. I will do the anagrams as they are the easiest and then start working on the others.
6. GUILLEMOT
14. DOTTEREL
21. WOOD PIGEON. That's assuming that the misprint is the 'f' instead of a 'p'.
BJ
The anagrams are always a good place to start, BJ. Margaret did not say what the misprint was but she did tell me that #21 may not be counted in the final draw. That seems fair to me. So, let's go with WOOD PIDGEON and consider #21 solved.
Lucy
4. REEVE
8. KITTIWAKE
18. PETREL
19. PINTAIL
24. BITTERN
26. SANDPIPER
30. GROSBEAK
And could #2 be Whip-poor-will?
BJ
Wow, you are making good progress on this quiz already BJ. You're naming birds that I have never heard of!
I do think Whippoorwill is a good answer for #2. (Now I have to google it to see whether it is actually a bird!) Oh well. 10 down and 25 to go. September 30th, here we come.
Love, Lucy
16. GOOSE
23. QUAIL-DOVE?
25. GOLDENEYE
28. LARK (cRAcKLe)
29. WIGEON
This puzzle is really hard!
BJ
Maybe 10 is a Golden Kingfisher?
Holly...I have entered your Golden Kingfisher as the answer to #10. Thanks!
BJ...16,25 and 29 are sure bets. I made a typo on #28 (as if the quiz isn't hard enough as it is). It should read "Cut the cackle" - with no "r". Would LARK still fit, though? Can you also explain your answer to #23? I'm a little slow on the uptake.
I'm suggesting MUTE SWAN for #10. That's the best I can do so far.
LOL, Lucy
(BTW...I have gone back over all the clues with a careful eye and there are no more typos to add to the confusion.)
Lucy,
I don't think lark will fit without the R.
Grackle is a bird that makes a cackling noise, but unless the clue is an order for it to quit making its sound, I don't think it works either.
#23. quail: hesitate: (shrink with fear, lose courage) to get down: dove (past tense of dive). It's pretty weak, so let's consider it unsolved.
I thought #10 was kingfisher. Which number is MUTE SWAN?
Love, BJ
Hi BJ
I think your QUAIL DOVE is brilliant and it fits #23 perfectly. I also like GRACKLE for #28.
You're right, #10 is GOLDEN KINGFISHER and I think #9 is MUTE SWAN.
Boy, this is a tough quiz but we (mainly YOU) have 17 answers already. That might be considered the half-way mark, eh?
Lucy
23. EIDER-DUCK
32. BRANT
33. HAWK
20 down and the toughest 15 to go!
Lucy
1. YELLOWHAMMER(a hammer could do a lot of damage to Dorothy's yellow brick road)
5. LITTLE STINT
7. MOORHEN
13. HOBBY
Yes, there are birds called all of the above.
3. SISKIN (is + skin)
11. SNOW BUNTING(S)
Can you explain #32?
Love, BJ
Hi, BJ
That was a terrific run of 6 answers. I was on the right track with 1 (playing with "yellow") and 3 (toiling over "skin"). I guess I just don't know my birds very well.
For #32 the plucky fellow is a BRAT and N is the compass point that he gains to make BRANT. I know that bird well because every year on south Vancouver Island there is a great gathering of people who spend their weekend counting brants! BTW...I never joined them.
LOL, Lucy
Dear Lucy,
Thanks for the answer. I had not heard of the Brant, so I looked it up in one of Bob's bird books and was surprised to find that it is a type of goose. It rarely flies inland and is found mainly on the Pacific Coast of North America.
It is a great answer.
Love, BJ
BTW Lucy,
I forgot to say that EIDER DUCK for #23 is brilliant, and much, much better than QUAIL DUCK. Way to go.
Love, BJ
Thanks, BJ
This is probably not the best time to tell you that we scored just 15 (and a half) out of 30 in the ANIMAL QUIZ we entered in July. The draw was made on August 31 and the answers arrived in this morning's mail.
For interest (and possible discussion), I will list the original clue, our answer and the correct answer for those we missed.
1. This supports a flower we are told. (Waterfowl) STORK
2. A cold friend that is shaken. (Rattlesnake) PLAICE
3. A sunburnt retarded mariner. (Salamander) BROWN RAT
5. Firm support. (Seal) COBRA
8. Sounds as though it MAY have strength. (Mussel) MITE **we got half a mark for this one
15. Could this be George W's teacher? (Beaver) BUSHMASTER
17. Fluorine is found in seaweed. (Elk) ORFE
18. A border rock for this aviator. (Stone Partridge) BRIMSTONE
21. A flighty granny! (Goose) KNOT
23. PC, copper. (Pig) BLUEBOTTLE
24. Sometimes biG NUmbers need dividing. (Lion) GNU
26. Copratle (Pectoral Sandpiper) PRATINCOLE
27. Darling around form of form for this aquatic. (Macquarie Perch) POMFRET
28. Timber, whiskey snake. (Scorpion) WOOD WASP
30. Now back in losT FEn country. (Newfoundland) EFT
An enclosed note explained that there were 59 replies, 6 with all correct answers and another 14 that were within 1 point. The Coeliac N.E. Fife Group raised just over £200. Their next quiz will be available in April 2009.
The £10 voucher went to a Mrs. Fletcher from Ripley. We certainly got our 50p worth, though.
LOL, Lucy
Dear Lucy,
The joy is sometimes in the journey, not the destination, and we sure had fun getting there even if our answers didn't make it. Some of the correct answers were extremely clever, and will perhaps guide us in future contests.
Marching onward, could #12 be CRANE?
Love, BJ
This bird contest is 'hurt my brain' hard.
i don't know any of the answers...not a single one... you guys are amazing figuring this out!
15. WAGTAIL
You're right, Sonia. These are really difficult clues. And judging by our last puzzle, the answers are even more difficult. It helps if your brain works in a slightly weird way!
Love, BJ
Lucy,
My analysis of the answers you posted from our last puzzle:
Numbers 2, 5, 21, 24, 26, 28 and 30 are really clever.
I don't understand numbers 1, 17, 23 and 27. Did you figure them out? Can you explain?
Number 18. Good answer, but I've never heard of an animal called brimstone. I googled it and sure enough, there is a brimstone canary! Who knew?
I liked our answer to #3 better than theirs.
I think we should have got full marks for #8.
Love, BJ
31. MARSH HARRIER This predatory bird is protected in a bird sanctuary in Kent.
34. RED KITE embarrassed=(red) + gear=(kit) + note (E is a note on the musical scale)
BJ
Thanks for the kudos, Sonia. One by one these clues are going down....
20. TOUCAN (count with the A back in)
27. BLACK-FRONTED TERN? (An Australian bird more commonly called a Plough)
BJ, I like the RED KITE. There are some answers that are so right that you just know you've solved the clue.
BTW ... there are just 4 blanks left - #12,17,22 and 30.
Lucy
27. DIPPER In astronomy Plough with a capital P is the Big Dipper or Ursus Major. And there is a bird called dipper
35. VEERY. Eve's number is 5 (V is Roman numeral for 5. VEE is an anagram of EVE. The V is the first letter in Veery. R could stand for ring and Y could be the 'WHY'. A little convoluted; maybe all that is necessary in explanation is that the V is the first letter.
Love, BJ
BJ,
I really enjoyed your comments about the answers to the ANIMAL QUIZ.
You may or may not remember that you had BROWN RAT for #3 but I thought a sunburn should be red and we went with SALAMANDER instead.
As for # 1, it's all in the accent! I asked David to say STALK for me and it sounded exactly like STORK. The clue, "we are told" is the same as "sounds like".
#27 has PET around the reorganized letters of FORM to make POMFRET; but what's a pomfret? And while I'm at it, what's a PRATINCOLE?
Like you, I don't understand the answers to #17 and 23 and no explanation is given in the key. Maybe some of our smart relatives can throw light on ORFE and BLUEBOTTLE?
And, yes, we should have received full marks for MUSSEL. That would have given us 53% instead of 51%. Every mark counts!
LOLOL, Lucy
Well done, BJ!
I see that, a while ago, you also suggested CRANE for #12. How is that?
It looks like we've got the birds flying now - with just 2 more to snag!
Lucy
Lucy,
By my count we have 3 more if we don't count crane. Large machines, cranes, are often found on building sites and pick up a lot of rubble while they are on working. Crane is also a bird. However, you will notice that I put that answer in the form of a question because I think it is iffy.
If we do accept that one then we still have numbers 17, and 22 to solve.
Your #20 is brilliant, but I like dipper better than the tern for #27 because of the capital letters P on The Plough, and the fact that the clue is THE Plough.
On the old puzzle. #1 is good, but I would never have thought of "sounds like" referring to an accent.
A pomfret is a fish found in the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans.
In #17, seaweed is a red herring. If you look at FluORinE and rearrange the letters you get ORFE which is a freshwater fish. Whoever heard of it?!
A Pratincole is a wading bird. The answer coPRATle, PRAT in cole is very clever if anyone had ever heard of a pratincole.
BLUEBOTTLE still has me completely stymied. I know the bluebottle is a fly, but the clue makes no sense to me.
Any ideas on how to work on the last 2 (17 & 22) in the current puzzle?
Love, BJ
That quiz makes even less sense now that I see the answer than it did when we were trying to solve it! We did much better on the toys...
...and hopefully the birds...
You're right, Holly, ... and isn't it more than a bit annoying when some of the answers are as difficult to understand as the original clues?
BJ....With 17, I have been playing around with the letters of CAKE "frozen" in that order with the letters of IT pushed into the mix somewhere (something like CAIKET?) Who knows?
With 22, I have been using my thesaurus to find a word for "demolish" and "charge" that has close to the same meaning(like quash or crush).
What's your strategy?
Lucy
Good Contest, but we only have crows and robins in Regina.
Tony
whoops
I just saw a magpie, a chicken pie, and a whooping crane!!!!
And was that an albatross?
Tony
Lucy,
Been there, done that...my strategy mirrors yours. I've thrown torte, icy, ice and icepick into the mix for the frozen gateau as well. Does that turn on any light bulbs for you? And I've been to the thesaurus and dictionary so many times I have them on my favorites (bookmarks). Where are we going wrong?
Holly,
You're right--some of the answers just confuse the issue. How about bringing some young blood and fresh insights into the last two clues. My groove has turned into a rut and I am stuck there.
Tony,
Are those answers or are you just tormenting us? We need answers to #17 and 22. Show us the way.
Love, BJ
Happy Anniversary, Bonnie and Robert
It was great to see you, Jessica and Nicholas at our Regina Beach gathering on August 29th. You all look so happy and well as summer draws to a close.
We knew last Friday evening that your 21st anniversary was just a week away. Now that your special day has arrived, we raise a toast to your good health and your continuing happiness. Cheers and best wishes!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
RE: The bird quiz
Maybe we could all do what Tony has done - list the names of all the birds we know until two of them fit the remaining clues. That's as hit-and-miss as anything else right now.
Lucy
I've decided this quiz is for the birds. What do you want to bet the last answers are almost unsolvable? I will continue to try every once in a while and we'll see if we do any better than our last one when the answers come out.
In spite of all that, thanks for posting it Lucy--it was fun.
Love, BJ
Another iffy or big stretch.
If we take dYNnAMite for demolish or charge we could get myna, and by so doing demolish the word dynamite. And there is a myna bird. As I said, iffy.
Love, BJ
And to get even more ridiculous.
TITMOUSE for use IT To test for frozen gateau (or mousse). I'm rally grasping here.
BJ
LOL, BJ!
I am ready to enter these last two suggestions and let the checkers figure out for themselves how we got the answers to #17 and 22. As ridiculous as they may seem, MYNA and TITMOUSE are also very clever answers.
I was toying with SPOONBILL for #17 and THRASHER for #22 - answers that are a least as ridiculous and not nearly so inventive.
I'm still laughing as I sign off...
Lucy
Then again, could #22 be as simple as SWALLOW?
LOL, Lucy
Lucy,
Yes, I thought of swallow as well, but discarded it when I thought of how painful it might be to test it that way. I also thought of spoonbill and thrasher, but was thrown off by bill and charger. However, given some of the answers to our last quiz, who knows? Almost anything goes. When are you submitting the answers? You choose which ones to go with--I am just looking forward to seeing what the judges come up with.
Love, BJ
Hi guys
Had a wonderful visit with Therese, Mary Ellen and Bob, Lou and Tricia. Tricia looked just like an angel. She was so healthy looking and she was full of energy.
Life is good.
Thank you.
Marty
Hi Marty,
I love to hear about such family gatherings. I "filled in between the lines" and figured that Therese probably made a quick trip to Calgary for a few days, that Mary Ellen likely set things in motion and that people were drawn together by their love for one another. News of Tricia's presence and increasing energy was "the icing on the cake".
We join you in joy and thanks!
Love, Louise
Dear Marty,
What good news. I hope it means that Tricia is on her way to renewed health.
Lucy,
I think we should change #18 from PETREL to STORM PETREL.
Love, BJ
STORM PETREL it is, BJ! Those lights just keep on coming, don't they?
Love, Lucy
Hey Lucy and BJ
You are exactly right Lucy. I have seen Tricia a few times lately and this was like heaven.
Mary Ellen must be growing something in her basement because whenever I leave that place, I'm on a serious high.
Sorry I missed the birds.
Marty
Laughing out loud, Marty.
I loved your comment about Mary Ellen's basement. Wish I could drop in and experience it for myself.
Love, BJ
Hey Marty,
What a guy! You sure know how to make me feel loved, and, happy. I'm still laughing about my grow-op basement. You made my day and I love you back!
You're also absolutely right about seeing Tricia being like heaven. I wish everybody could see how wonderful she looks. You are awesome, Tricia!
Louise & BJ,
You puzzle-masters are awesome. I agree with Holly that the solutions are even more complicated than the questions! And the names of those birds - Tony's crows and robins are familiar to me, and they didn't even make the list!!!
Love to all,
ME xoxoxoxoxo
Thanks Mary Ellen,
Actually, we haven't really ruled out the crows and robins yet. There are still two clues (17 and 22) that are open to less-complicated solutions than ours. And don't forget, we scored only 51% on the last quiz we entered.
When I read what Marty said about leaving your home on a serious high, I knew what he meant. I laughed so hard; I even experienced one of those "I- wish-I-had-thought-of-that" moments. What a clever, quick-thinking guy our Marty is!
LOL, Lucy
Dear Lucy,
I'm with you on the I wish I had said that. I have copied Marty's comment into my quote book and read it to a few people already.
Mary Ellen,
Thanks for the compliment, but you could do the puzzles, too. Give it a try sometime, especially on the 2 we are not sure of.
Love, BJ
Wow, Blogtember has been a busy month so far. I'm not even going to bother weighing in on the bird quiz. It's the kind of thing that could eat up my whole day and I've got stuff to do.
However, on an ornithological note, I will say that with the departure of the human summer residents of Echo Lake, we are being treated to a feathered symphony of sorts.
The pelicans are back on the point. We also have cranes, herons, loons, grebes, gulls, ducks, teals, sandpipers, geese and probably a bunch of others I don't recognize. There also appears to be an advance scouting party of Canada Geese. It won't be long before the whole lake will be covered.
The deer are also coming back, which means it won't be long before we're seeing coyotes, wolves and foxes. Maybe even a cougar (one was spotted near Regina recently).
BTW, How about them Riders? What an exciting finish to the Banjo Bowl. I SMELL GREY!
Mar-Tay, how about an update on the competition. I think the new head coach in Toronto is going to put me over the top!
Lucy,
Your reminder that we were still not sure of #17 & 22 sent me back to the drawing board. How about GREAT AUK for #17. If you rearrange the letters you get gateau with r and k left over. And BTW, the great auk is an Iceland bird.
Love, BJ
Oh, I like that, BJ! The titmouse was clever but GREAT AUK really fits the clue. It pays to have a fresh look at things and the competition does not close until September 30th.
Lucy
Lucy,
The razor bill is also an Iceland bird. Does that fit better?
BJ
Lucy,
On the other hand.... what if we take demolish to mean 'raze' and 'charge' to mean bill as in charging something to a visa card, then #22 demolish or charge could be RAZ OR BILL (razorbill).
Love, BJ
Oh my goodness, BJ, you've got the last one, too! RAZOR BILL is a clear and simple fit for #22 after all that bird-watching. Well done, you!
LOLOL, Lucy
My sisters are the smartest people in the world.
Football Contest Update:
Umm...the playoffs haven't started yet...nobody is winning.
The paintings are being juried as we speak (Mike is on the phone), by the committee.
love,
Marty
Thanks, Lucy.
I am still not sure I'm right about #12. And are you going with dipper for #27? The Plough? I like it better than the black-fronted tern; I thought it was one of my best efforts, but the call is up to you. I would just like to know.
Love, BJ
Razor bill is brilliant...
How about a list of what you've got so far so we can peruse them with fresh eyes?
Holly, here is the list I have so far. We are still a little unsure of a couple, so if you think of another answer to any of them, please shoot it off to us.
1. It could smash bricks on this road to fame. YELLOW HAMMER
2. Sounds painful. WHIP-POOR-WILL
3. Alive in its hide. SISKIN
4. A female ruff. REEVE
5. A wee job. LITTLE STINT
6. LUG IT MOLE (anag) GUILLEMOT
7. Tie up your boat, dear!! MOORHEN
8. Get up Catherine. KITTIWAKE
9. Silence before the final appearance. MUTE SWAN
10. He doesn't angle with a silver hook. He's an ace. KINGFISHER
11. White flags. SNOW BUNTINGS
12. Can support ruin. CRANE
13. Bird watching is one of those. HOBBY
14. ELDER TOT (anag) DOTTEREL
15. Happy ending!! WAGTAIL
16. Continue--before bill and berry. GOOSE
17. Use it to test the frozen gateau! GREAT AUK
18. Rough fuel. STORM PETREL
19. Put this on the donkey! PINTAIL
20. A left count. TOUCAN
**21. NO GOOD WIFE (anag) WOOD PIGEON
22. Demolish or charge. RAZORBILL 23. I'd hesitate to get down. EIDER DUCK
24. Bird chasing a morsel? No the opposite. BITTERN
25. Could this be a window for Midas? GOLDENEYE
26. Does he play at the seaside? SANDPIPER
27. The Plough. DIPPER
28. Cut the crackle. GRACKLE
29. Once worn by judges (hist.) WIGEON
30. Have you noticed Pinocchio's nose? GROSBEAK
31. Is this hunter as close as a Kentish one? MARSH HARRIER
32. This plucky fellow gains a point. BRANT
33. A pedlar? Almost. HAWK
34. Embarrassing gear on a note. RED KITE
35. Why ring Eve's number first VEERY
Love, BJ
BJ...Dipper, definitely...Dipper!
Thanks for listing our answers. Mine are right in line with yours.
Thanks for wading in, Holly. While we are confident that many of our answers are right, fresh eyes may see things differently. Go at it, please!
Love, Lucy
BTW...#10 should read GOLDEN KINGFISHER.
Lucy
Thanks Lucy,
I forgot to put the golden in earlier and never got back to fixing it. I have done so now.
Love, BJ
Lucy,
If we make SANDHILL CRANE the answer for #12 instead of just CRANE, we could think that if a boat ran aground on a sandbar, the sandbar would be supporting the ruined boat. Sandhill could be synonym for sandbar.
Just a thought.
Love, BJ
Just had a great visit with Tricia! She decided at the last minute to accompany her dad on his overnight trip to Regina and managed to squeeze in a visit with us! She looks amazing!
Happy Birthday, Stephen
At one time, a September 11th birth date was like any other day in the calendar year. It seems that history has changed that. Now when I say, "This is my nephew, Stephen's birthday", people say, "But this is the anniversary of 9/11" ... as if it can't be anything else but that.
Of course, today, along with so many others, we are remembering the events of seven years ago.
Here in St. Andrews, Paul, David and I are also raising a toast to you, Stephen. We wish you a happy birthday - a day with Mona, Emily and Alexander - one that is alive with celebration and joy.
May the coming year be a healthy and happy time for you and your entire family. Cheers!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
Holly ... thanks for the latest remarkable sighting of Tricia ... in Regina ! ... looking amazing ! ...
What a woman! ... What next? ...
Love,
Louise
BJ,
I follow your thinking on the SANDHILL CRANE but it seems too complicated to me. I think we should keep the answer simple. The word CAN is in CRANE and a crane is also a wrecking machine. Don't you think that's a close enough fit?
Lucy
Happy Barfday, bro.
Okay, Lucy,
Crane it is. Sometimes the first solution is the best.
BJ
Fair enough, BJ.
I should tell you that David says, "I still don't see how CRANE fits the question - 95% of a crane's work is lifting heavy items, not demolishing stuff." He's not offering a better answer though. He thinks maybe we should be considering a bird whose name includes "jack" - a tool for supporting fallen objects. Any ideas?
LOL, Lucy
Dear Lucy,
I have to admit I was never completely satisfied with crane even when I first submitted it. Which is why I keep trying to re-solve it. I will keep thinking about it, and will work with the jack idea for a bit. There is a jackdaw bird, but I'm not convinced of that answer either.
Anyone out there with an answer?
Love, BJ
Hey.
What's the news from cousin Martin Brockett? Has he had to evacuate Houston with Ike bearing down?
Kenneth,
Parts of Houston have been evacuated, but the part Martin lives in has not. He was sent home from work today and that part of the city is on stand-by. He will probably know by tomorrow whether they have to evacuate his area.
For now he is okay.
Mom
Birthday greetings, Jenalee!
We are thinking of you on this Friday birthday; it's the end of another work week and time for you to relax and celebrate being the center of attention.
Have a fun time with friends and family today. We join all of them in wishing you a happy birthday and another good year in the days ahead of you.
Here's to you at 22!
Cheers and lots of love,
Louise and David
Yes Louise. Our 'baby' is 22 today. We are all (Cory in spirit) taking her out for supper tonight.
Lou and Tricia dropped in on Wednesday evening for a visit, and Tricia is indeed a miracle in herself. She continues to amaze and inspire us all.
Tony and Carol
Lucy,
Would SHOVELER be better for #12?
BJ
BJ
I think SHOVELER is in the same category as CRANE; neither says clearly, "that's it!"
Lately I have been trying to do something similar with "can support ruin" to what you did with "demolish or charge". Is there a bird that begins with tin?
Lucy
BJ,
Our friend Margaret called to say that she thinks #17 should be GREAT SKUA instead of GREAT AUK. When Margaret says "skua", it sounds like "skewer". What do you think?
Lucy
And what about CARRION CROW for #10 instead of GOOSE? "Continue" could be "carrion" and there are crowbills and crowberries.
Lucy
Lucy,
Definitely CARRION CROW for #16 and GREAT SKUA for #17.
As for #12, I don't think either crane or shoveler is correct.
And I don't know of any bird that starts with tin. There is an ANTILLEAN NIGHTHAWK which might give us ant hill and lean, but it doesn't feel right either.
BJ
BJ,
Thanks for the correction on #16. I guess you knew what I meant when I listed it as #10. Talk about confusing the issue!
Ok. It seems that we are still working on #12. Not one of our answers is "speaking" to me yet. I see you are playing with Antillian Nighthawk like I am considering Can(vas)back, Nigh(tin)gale and Pra(tin)cole. We will crack this thing yet!
LOL, Lucy
BTW...thinking too hard...that's how I got Carrion Crow!
Now I'm thinking CANARY. CAN supports AWRY - just about anyway ... minus the W.
LOL, Lucy
Lucy,
How about PELICAN? Rearrange peli to get pile (ruins in archaeological terms). We will soon have run out of birds! I've tried able for 'can' and trash, tip and heap for 'ruins'. Do any of those spark a thought for you?
BJ
I got One!!!!
Dodo bird...oops, sorry, I got my answer mixed up with...what I feel like when I try to figure out this puzzle.
Hi y'all
Love, Marty
Birthday Greetings, Bryen
You are not likely to be blurking or blogging on our family site. Still, we want to wish you a happy birthday today.
Paul, David and I will make a celebratory toast to you later this evening. For the fifth day in a row, the guys are out on one of the links golf courses here in St. Andrews.
Soon we will pour ourselves a wee dram of single-malt scotch and raise a birthday salute to your good health and long life. Cheers!
Best wishes and a whole lot more at 24!
Louise and David
BJ,
I like PELICAN; it's simple and it fits...the "can" is supporting a ruined "pile". I think that's our best bet.
Lucy
Hey Marty...don't think that we didn't try DODO somewhere along the line. We have considered every bird we know and researched several more to solve this particular quiz. I wonder what our score will be this time?
LOL, Lucy
Lucy,
Not to make your life more difficult, but there is also a possibility CORMORANT may fit #12. There is a Morro castle that was built in the 1500s and is probably in ruins now. If you notice C A and N are positioned so they might be said to support Morro: C ormor AN t.
Love and apologies, BJ
Oh goodness, BJ, CORMORANT is tempting, too. How do you come up with these terrific possibilities?
Lucy
Lucy,
It all stems from not be satisfied with crane in the first place. Then, like you, I keep playing with words, rearranging letters etc. Shall I keep trying or will we go with one of the last two?
BJ
BJ...you know very well that even if we settle on PELICAN or CORMORANT, our minds will not stop working on other possibilities.
The closing date is September 30. I will mail in our entry on the 23rd. Until then, anything goes....
Love, Lucy
BTW, blogatives...I have another quiz from the Ceres Bowling Club - cartoon characters from newspapers, comics, films or TV. This is right out of my league. What do you think?
Lucy
Lucy,
Okay, if I think of anything before the 23 I will submit it. Otherwise, you choose which answers to go with.
And bring on the funnies--some comic relief from bird watching.
Love, BJ
Great, BJ!
This quiz gives us an added hint in telling us the combination of letters and words in the answer. There are 40 clues and no example is given. The deadline is October 13th.
Remember, these are cartoon characters from newpapers, comics, films or TV....
1. Number one feline? 3,3
2. Big zero year. 4,4
3. He knows he shouldn't lie. 9
4. Polluted by short learner & Edward. 5
5. Braveheart's dog? 6
6. Bear with yellow checked trousers. 6
7. Is "hangers" his mixed up dog? 6,3,6
8. Her racing car at "The Manor"? 8,7
9. Boxing actor named after this feline? 9
10. Bloke on the web? 9
11. Actor Rooney, rodent. 6,5
12. Number one's arresting officer. 6
13. I left her ski. 5
14. Life plus 10. 5
15. Chain S.P. for his food. 6
16. Salted or roasted. 7
17. Forever young. 5,3
18. Nine or eleven stare. 7
19. Wild black cat's colour change. 4,7
20. Boys cod with double zero. 6,3
We are only half-way there...
Lucy
Holy Cow,
I hope there is someone out there who knows what we're doing. This contest is harder than it sounded 20 minutes ago. Like Scarlett, I'll think about it tomorrow.
BYW I passed on your birthday greetings to Bryen. I also gave him the link to our blog as he wants to read it for himself.
See you in the funnies!
Love, BJ
Here's the other half of the quiz:
21. Peebles, Wilma and Dino. Missing link? 4,10
22. Nurse map for hero. 8
23. Two bees I am. 5
24. Unshaven man eats pie with horn. 9,3
25. Sales reps account returns at front. 6
26. Number five's owner. 7
27. Local vine conceals him. 6
28. Type of metal repeats. 3,3
29. Not a stadium athlete. 4,6
30. Sounds like warning re. rodent. 11
31. Lifeguard with you missing. 8
32. Bradman out for zero. 6,4
33. Flo's man. 4,4
34. Top boy bet. 5,4
35. Add nine to pie and die. 5,3,5
36. Gotham city man. 6
37. Miss Hawn turns key. 10
38. Two ugly, for her. 10
39. The omen returns for boss. 7,4
40. Little devil in this family. 3,8
That's it! I think I know four of the 40 ... #10, 11, 16 and 37. That's a poor start for sure!
Good viewing and happy spotting!
LOL, Lucy
OK... I'm going to bed now. Maybe some lights will come on in my dreams.
#10 Spiderman
#11 Mickey Mouse
#16 Peanuts
#37 Goldilocks
Did I do all the easy ones?
Lucy
21 Fred Flintstone
33. Andy Capp
36. Batman
27. Calvin
28. Tintin
31. Garfield
BJ
1. Top Cat
2. Yogi Bear
3. Pinocchio
5. Lassie
14. Felix
23. Bambi
35. Pixie and Dixie
BJ
Holy Moley, miss a couple of days and it's major catch up time.
There's been slough of birthdays. Happy B-day to all of you.
Luce, you are right Bryen (WHO IS GETTING MARRIED OCT 16, ACK!) is probably very unlikely to be blurking, but I will pass it along.
Nice to hear about Tricia's Regina trip and how well she's doing and good she's looking. Cheers to you, Trish.
Marty! WHUDDAYAMEAN nobody's winning the football contest? Somebody must be winning. I think it's me!
22. Superman
34. Betty Boop
38. Cinderella
39. Finding Nemo?
20. Scooby doo
Hey Thomas
I stand corrected. You are definitely leading coming into the first turn.
Would you mind posting the paintings once I have them ready?
Love,
Uncle Marty
Happy Birthday, Penny!
Here in St. Andrews, we have wakened to what the Scots call a "dreich" fall day. Across the miles, we hope the Saskatchewan sun is shining brightly on you today.
Whatever the weather, here's to you, Penny! Have a very happy birthday. How could it be otherwise, with Geron, Logan and Michael eager to plan and share your September 16th celebrations? Enjoy every moment of your special day with family and friends!
Cheers, best wishes and lots of love,
Louise and David
Happy Birthday, Lorraine!
From what we hear, your Echo Lake home is a place of beauty and celebration every day of the year.
We hope today is even more special as you and Thom celebrate your September 16th birthday.
From Scotland, we join the fun and celebrations by raising a toast to you, Lorraine. Here's to your increasing good health and to your continuing happiness. Cheers!
Lots of love and warm wishes,
Louise and David
Wow, BJ ... you make all of the answers look easy. Already, the 40-clue quiz seems quite manageable with just 18 more clues to solve.
Lucy
Hi Thom,
Thanks for passing along our birthday wishes to Bryen and for letting us know about his October 16th wedding date. I have already marked our calendar. Now it would be great to have his partner's name to include in our wishes for their happiness.
Love Luce
PS: One of the first things Paul spotted in our St. Andrews home is our Saskatchewan Roughrider beer glass. Thanks again! The bank is filling up with loose change and the glass is waiting for you to give it a proper initiation. Anytime, eh?
6. Rupert
18. Asterix
19. Pink Panther
Bj
9. Sylvester (cat)
15. Popeye (spinach)
17. Peter Pan
30. Dangermouse
BJ
13. Shrek (herski without the i)
29. Road Runner
BJ
I just keep on filling in those blanks, BJ. Thanks to you, it's 31 down and 9 to go!
The last 9 unanswered clues are: #4,7,8,12,24,25,26,32 and 40.
Lucy
12. DEPUTY (DAWG)
BJ
UNFRIGGIN-BELIEVABLE!!!!!
8. Angelica Pickles?
40. Tom Terrific
I have to agree, ME. BJ just keeps those answers coming. We are down to the last 6 clues. Beyond my first 4 quick responses, I have struggled to solve even one more.
Lucy
4. Teddy (Ruxpin)
7. Stubbs and Tippie
BJ
25. Pepper?
Mar-TAY... thanks for humouring me, but it looks like Toronto is going down in flames (and, quite frankly, the Riders are looking more questionable every week, as gutsy as they are, injuries, and now penalties are calling into question the dream season). And yes, I will certainly post the paintings when they are ready.
I have a question for y'all.
Which season do you like best?
For me, it's the fall. I'm loving it. It's the crispness in the air. It's the earthy, yet vibrant, colours. It's the quality of the light. It's the melancholy of transition; the bittersweetness of summer lost and winter gained.
For those of you in Canada, the choices are, of course, involves fall, winter, spring and summer.
For those of you in Texas the choices are summer and not summer.
Hey, that's not fair. We have Fall and Spring in Texas. You might miss them if you stay inside that day, but we have them.
Hey Thomas
Great News.
I heard that if the Riders have just one more injury, the CFL will allow the Regina Rams to take their place for this season...Are they still called the Rams?
I know 5 tough Antonini boys who live in Regina who could probably still wrestle a mean pigskin. Maybe they should call them.
Your mother has gone wacky. I think she's got the Barker Bugle Bug. She is way too intelligent.
People like her should be careful. Her brain could 'splode if she ain't careful.
MSA
Hi Thomas,
In the spring, I like spring best. Everything is so new, there are so many different greens, the blossoming trees are glorious and the air is intoxicating. In the fall, I like fall best. The colors of the trees are breathtaking, the cool air is wonderful and feels so good, and the balloons go up.
Summer is too hot, and in the winter there is too much ice underfoot, although both those seasons have great beauty, too. The light in the summer is long and makes for great skies, dawns and sunsets. The snow and ice in winter are sometimes so beautiful that you can hardly breathe.
I wouldn't want to miss any of the seasons, but it is a tie between spring and fall as my favorite.
Love, BJ
Marty,
That's wacky, weird and wonderful to you!
Love, BJ
26. Cruella (de Vil) from 1001 Dalmatians
BJ
WINTER! Definitely winter, especially the early part of it....that first winter walk when it's snowing big, soft, quiet flakes; the crisp evening air and the snow full of diamonds; the empty Birch tress with their white bark & branches standing out against the blue winter sky......AND let's not forget the whole Christmas thing that happens in wonderful winter!!!!
Spring, Summer, & Fall are pretty nice, too!
Love,
ME xoxoxo
Hey Thomas
Fall is the favorite of mine.
For artists, it has to be the best season. You are so right about the quality of the light. There is something different and exciting about the sunlight in fall that you don't get with the other seasons.
24. DESPERATE DAN. Desperate Dan was a bearded cartoon character whose favorite food was cow pie, a type of enormous meat pie with horns sticking out, although cow pie has a different meaning in the west!
BJ
I love the Summer most. I get to mow the lawn 10 times a month. Oh! and those windy days you spray the weed killer, you can practice your skill at keeping it off the flowers and out of your lungs. Of course we can't forget the sweat pouring out from underneath the hat you're wearing to keep the sun from frying your head, that great stinging feeling when it gets into your eyes. But, really nothing compares to getting caught in a hail storm...the exhilarating feeling of being hit with a thousand ball peen hammers all at once. Ahhh! Summer...ya gotta love it.
Mary Ellen makes a great case for winter. But wow, Ed. I'll bet everyone's going to change to summer as the favorite, now! You really know how to pick 'em.
Love, BJ
Ron Lancaster for Prime Minister.. in memorium.
Go Riders!
I'm so glad so many people responded to my seasons post.
Kbub, now that you mention it, I do vaguely recall spring and fall in Texas. I might have slept in those couple of days.
And perhaps I'm not giving summer a fair enough break. I have great memories of summer. This year it fell on a weekend so we had a barbecue.
It's still fall for me though. This morning, the lake was mirror of the orange and yellow hills. Lorraine (mental health day) and I (regular weekday) went out kayaking. It's just us and the birds now. Sigh. How lovely.
On a bad note, we had to put down one of our cats. Liver cancer. RIP Miss Ashley.
ME, thanks for putting in a vote for winter. I also love the winter. For all your reasons and more. Let's not forget: it makes you remember, and appreciate, that you're alive. Our world is not always an easy place to live for numerous reasons, physical, emotional, social, professional and otherwise. Winter's short days, long nights, bone-numbing chills and general hardship juxtaposed with my mom's eloquent estimation of its breath-taking (literal and figurative) beauty puts it in good stead for the season-of-the-year trophy. Ultimately, a great case can be made for all of them and, more importantly, seals the case for living in the moment because what else have we got?
Shakespeare couldn't have said it better.
Hi all,
Have I ever enjoyed the descriptions of your favorite times of the year!
Spring is the season that does most for me. Everything, from breathing, to working, to moving, to thinking, happens more easily in springtime.
Come spring, I have no difficulty at all "living in the moment". I seldom find myself anticipating summer's heat, fall's colours or winter's cold when I am enjoying the freedoms of spring.
Lucy
“To the attentive eye, each moment of the year has its own beauty, and in the same field, it beholds, every hour, a picture which was never seen before, and which shall never be seen again”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Nice quote, BJ ... timely, for sure.
BTW...I should have spotted Desperate Dan (of Dundee). There are several sculptures of him throughout the city of Dundee. Everybody's favourite story about Desperate Dan has to do with his hankering for cow pie.
According to my count, only one clue remains unsolved - #32: Bradman out for zero. Who is that?
Love, Lucy
Every season is my favourite at its beginning, and my least favourite at its end. Every time a new season comes around, I think "Oh, this really is my favourite season!", but by the end of it, I am always ready for the next. That's why I love living here - the change of scenery every few months. I just wish winter here was a few months shorter. : S
That should be : S
Lucy,
Could #32 be DOCTOR DOOM, the Marvel comic character? There is a Doctor Bradman in the play Blythe Spirit. It also took doctors 24 hours to diagnose what was wrong with the famous cricketer, Don Bradman.
Otherwise, this clue has me stumped.
Love, BJ
Holly,
I like every season, too. But I never thought of the "most favorite"--"least favorite" angle before. That's interesting and clever.
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Happy Birthday Greetings
Hannah-Lynn, you're 5 today!
Have fun in all you do.
We'd like to be among the folks
Who celebrate with you.
Your day will be made special
By both your Mom and Dad;
Emmanuel will join the fun;
Grace-Anne will be quite glad.
They'll watch your birthday candles glow
And sing the birthday song.
May all the love you feel today
Bring joy the whole year long!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5
Guess what, BJ?
David tells me that a "zero" in cricket is a "duck". The famous cricketer, Bradman's first name is Donald. Without even knowing it, you solved the last clue of the quiz - #32 is DONALD DUCK. Well done, you!
Love, Lucy
Spring is spectacular
Winter is wonderful
Fall is my fav
Sorry to hear about your cat Thom and Lorraine
Hi Lucy,
Teamwork again! Isn't it great? I wonder if we should try it with a couple of the others. I am not really sure about #s 4, Teddy; 25. Pepper and 26. Cruella.
Any thoughts?
Edward,
I am so relieved to hear that you like fall best. I notice also that summer doesn't even get an honorable mention this time round. And I like the clever way you listed them. You could have added suffering summer.
Love, BJ
I like what you have to say about teamwork, BJ. You are so right! In fact, my friend, Margaret, was over this afternoon with answers to some of the very clues you are questioning (and a few more):
#25 is CASPER (reading backwards from the first "c" in account).
#26 is WALLACE (from Wallace and Gromit, refer to clue #5 Braveheart is William Wallace, owner of Lassie).
Margaret also suggests that we change:
#7 to Dennis the Menace since "hangers" is an anagram of Gnasher, Dennis's dog.
#8 to Penelope Pitstop (from Wacky Races; and Penelope Keith plays a main role in To the Manor Born).
#12 to Dibble (refer to clue #1, Dibble is the inept officer in Top Cat).
#39 to Captain Nemo (instead of Finding Nemo)
#40 to The Munsters (with devilish son, Eddy).
As for #5 we wonder about TEDDY, too. Eddy is short for Edward but what is the "T"'s connection to "polluted by short learner".
Love, Lucy
Hi Auntie Louise! Thanks for the birthday wishes for Hannah-Lynn! We are having a big party for her today and I will print off your note for her to read. She is very excited and feeling like quite a big girl today.
Hugs to all.
Barbara
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
Winter is an etching,
Spring a watercolor,
Summer an oil painting,
And Autumn is a mosaic of them all.
- Stanley Horowitz
You gotta love our 4 Seasons!
LOL,
ME xoxoxoxo
Lucy (and Margaret),
Yes, yes, yes. I like those answers much better than the ones we had.
Re: Eddy. My reasoning is as polluted as the clue. Ed, is for Edward of course. Ted could be three letters from the word sTuDEnt, who when he puts his mind to it, is a learner. And I suppose dy could be short for dye, which might be considered a pollutant.
I CAN HEAR YOU LAUGHING!
Love, BJ
Mary Ellen,
Yes, yes, yes. The perfect quote for the seasons. And we do gotta love them.
Love, BJ
Lucy,
P.S. to the Teddy. We don't even have to shorten the dye if we allow the 'e' to be shared by Ed, Ted, and dye.
T (e) D D Y
Have you stopped laughing yet?
BJ
SEPTEMBER 21st BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
Happy Birthday, Logan,
We are right here on the scene
To send the best of wishes
And to toast YOU at 15!
Today's another birthday
For your Grandpa Wohlberg, too,
And we think it's really special
That he shares this day with you.
So, be sure to throw a party;
Make a wish, have fun, be glad!
May this double celebration
Be the best you've ever had.
Cheers and lots of love,
Louise and David
Happy Birthday, Don!
We are sure you will agree with Lucy-Lou that 1942 was a very good year, eh!
Have a terrific Sunday birthday celebration. We hope you have time to spend with one very special 15 year-old and his family on the unique occasion of your shared birth-date.
Tonight we will pour ourselves a wee dram of single-malt scotch to honour you with a warm birthday toast. Cheers, Don!
In the meantime, St. Andrews awaits your presence (someday) for another kind of celebration that only golfers can appreciate. FORE!
Have a great day!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
BJ,
I think you have been especially creative and funny in deciphering clue #5. Even without your explanations, I think TEDDY is still our best bet. Your sense of humour should win us points if the answer doesn't. Yes, I AM still laughing!
LOL, Lucy
Can you believe that we are following today's Ryder Cup action on BBC radio? It is almost as exciting as watching TV coverage.
One of us is cheering for the Europeans and the other is supporting the Americans. I'll leave you to guess who's who.
Lucy
Well, Paul is back in Westbank this morning after a gruelling 8-hour flight delay in Glasgow, 9 hours "up in the air" and a 5-hour drive home from Vancouver.
Don't feel too sorry for him, though. While he was in St. Andrews he played 8 rounds of golf in 10 days and caddied for his dad in the Bing Crosby Tournament for the Over-60's.
Besides playing the Strathtyrum, Eden, Jubilee and New Course, Paul was treated to rounds on the brand new Castle Course (Thursday), the world-class Kingsbarns Course(Friday) and on the famous Old Course (Saturday). Most of the time, the weather was good and Paul definitely had every golfer's dream holiday.
He will be back on the job today saving up for a repeat treat in 2009. We hope Paul can swing that as well as he handles his golf clubs.
Louise and David
BJ ...back to #5 ...if you look at the end of the word "polluted" beside the "by", you get "tedby". A "short learner" might reverse the second d, as children are apt to do. Put right, it spells "teddy" which is also a short form of Edward.
However we explain this clue, TEDDY seems to fit.
BTW...did you know that when they "electrified" the Teddy Ruxpin toy, it shorted out and the design had to be scrapped?
Now who's laughing?
LOLOL, Lucy
Lucy,
Absolutely brilliant! I was still not entirely happy with Teddy, but I am now ready to embrace this answer fully. Damn, we're good!
And I am laughing out loud.
Love, BJ
TEDDY it is then!
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Happy Anniversary, Jamie and Chris!
Congratulations on this fourth wedding anniversary! A glance at our family tree suggests that Tess is, without a doubt, your greatest joy so far. We raise a toast to you and to her. Cheers!
May this day be filled with good memories of the past, lots of fun in the present and much promise for the future.
Love and best wishes,
Louise and David
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Anniversary Greetings and Congratulations, Abby and Josh!
According to our Book of Days, a fourth anniversary can be celebrated with gifts of silk, flowers or books.
In our anniversary toast to you today, we wish you a smooth and silky road, a bouquet of many joys, and pages and pages of good times together. Cheers to you!
Lots of love,
Louise and David
Dear Lucy,
I am so glad you celebrate all the family events on the Blog. You make each one different and interesting, and it is fun to read your comments, verses and greetings.
I toast your creativity and thoughtfulness.
Love, BJ
What a nice thing to say, BJ. Thanks!
Cheers to you, too.
Love, Lucy
It's a quiet evening here in St. Andrews. David played a round on the Old Course this afternoon and I took a friend to see her doctor at the local medical clinic.
David is booked to play more golf tomorrow AND on the Old Course again. Many golfers experience that only once or twice in a lifetime and David enjoys the same privilege as many times in a week. How lucky is that?
Love, Lucy
Happy birthday Google. Today the search engine Google celebrates its 10th birthday. Google is the most used search engine on the Web, and receives several hundred million queries each day through its various services. I use it every day.
BJ
I also use Google every day. I suspect that it helped to provide several of the answers on the bird quiz that I mailed in today. The winning entry will be drawn on September 30th.
Here's to GOOGLE at 10!
Lucy
Happy Birthday, Shannon!
We are a little late posting your greetings today because we made an early morning trip to Aberdeen. We have just arrived back home where we are preparing to raise our glasses in a toast to you on your birthday.
I'm sure that Sadie and Carmen have not let you forget that this is your birthday. You will probably have lots of help blowing out your candles, opening gifts and celebrating your special day.
Here's to good fun, happy family times and warm friendships today and throughout the coming year, Shannon!
Cheers and best wishes,
Louise and David
Hey Everyone,
I am reading a book right now that's titled You've GOT to read this book, in which 55 people tell about THE book that changed their life. I started thinking about all the books I've read. I don't know that any of them changed my life, but I wonder if any of you out there read a book that changed your life, helped you through a difficult time, made you laugh out loud, or just made your heart sing. In that last category, The Kitchen Madonna, by Rumer Godden did it for me. How about it? Have any of you got a book that did any of the above, or even a book title you would just like to share with the rest of us?
Looking forward to hearing about it.
Love, BJ
Hi Betty Jo,
I'm not sure that every book I have read hasn't changed my life to some degree. Some have certainly brought me to tears or laughter. It is seldom I read a book a second time. To Kill a Mockingbird I have read twice but there is a play Heather purchased the script for me and I have read it a half dozen times. I had seen it live at the Globe Theater and it has been the most enjoyable of plays for me. The play is titled "Trying" written by a Saskatoon native, Joanna McClelland Glass.
BJ ... you directed me to the first book in the "Dropped Threads" series edited by Carol Shields and Marjorie Anderson. I have since bought books 2 and 3 as well.
These anthologies of stories and essay written by women are truly "dropped threads from the fabric of women's talk". They are honest, shocking, joyful, courageous and powerful pieces of writing.
I often take one of these books off the shelf, scan the table of contents and find exactly the conversation I need at that moment in time. These books are like the title of the first selection in book One: Starch, Salt, Chocolate, Wine.
Thanks to you, BJ, I am tasting them all!
Love, Lucy
Edward,
I like the idea that every book may have changed you in some way. I don't know the script you mentioned, but I will try to get it and read it.
Lucy,
I also have the 3 'Threads' books, and like them very much. I occasionally lend them to other women friends, some of whom have stories that could fit into these very books.
Love, BJ
And while I'm reviewing books....
In my first year of University studies, Charles Dickens became my favorite author when I read and studied "A Tale of Two Cities".
Antoine de Saint Exupery brought out the poet in me with "The Little Prince".
"The Gospel According to Peanuts" by Robert Short made me love Charlie Brown and his friends even more than I did before I realized just how much I had in common with them.
Lucy
Love those books!
Like everyone else, there have been many books that have had an impact on me. ROOTS by Alex Haley was one of those. It broadened my understanding of, and compassion for, our human family. Powerful!
A book that makes my spirit soar is A WISH FOR WINGS THAT WORK by Berkeley Breathed. Definitely a Feel Good book! Especially wonderful if read at Christmas time.
Love,
ME xoxoxoxo
Happy 41st Wedding Anniversary,
Mary Ellen and Bob!
September days are numbered
And the final one is here;
On this day of celebration
Here's a wish of love and cheer...
May the years gone by be ample;
May the present find you well;
May the days ahead be constant,
Bringing joyful tales to tell.
As the love you have for others
Paves a smooth and kindly way,
May you know the great affection
That we feel for you this day.
Best wishes and lots of love,
Louise and David
Happy Birthday, James!
We cannot help but think how lucky we are to have so many terrific nephews on our bountiful family tree. Today, we are remembering YOU with warm wishes for your continuing good health and life-long happiness.
Of course, Christine and Presley will make this day special for you. The anticipation of your new baby's arrival is sure to add much joy to your birthday celebrations, too.
Have a great day, James!
Cheers and lots of love,
Louise and David
Thanks for the nice verse, Louise.
I can hardly believe it's been 41 years - I guess we truly ARE seniors. Bob's definitely a keeper!!
LOL,
ME xoxoxo
PS Happy Birthday James
You're welcome, ME. That's good news after 41 years. I imagine that Mary Ellen is a keeper, too, eh Bob? That's how two people get to be seniors together!
LOL, Lucy
October first being International Day of Older Persons, my best wishes go out today to all those 60 years of age (but young at heart) and over. Congratulations on making it this far, and thank you for the contribution you have made to your little corner of the world.
Love, BJ
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