tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27023140424836225002024-02-20T02:49:32.198-05:00J.D.'s SOAPBOXJ.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-77178835281810319552008-11-26T17:30:00.002-05:002008-11-26T18:01:34.034-05:00Happy Thanksgiving<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Hello every one, now don’t have a heart attack, I know it’s been a long time..! I have been so busy around here, but that’s really no excuse, I’ve had time to do some posts but chose to rest in my easy chair. I’m sure that you all know how it is when you get out of the routine of doing things that it seems so hard to get back into it. Well that’s what happened to me! I plan to get back in the groove of blogging. Anyway, I’ve got just about all my storage places full of firewood and I think it will see me through the winter.<br />I’m sure that Jo has tuned you all in on the happenings around here with the grand kids. We are planning a big Thanksgiving out here with all the ‘Yankee’ family, the ‘Cajun’ family will have to wait till after the 1st. We plan to get together with them the first week in Jan. My youngest daughter will be back in the States the first week in January to visit her son’s grave site in S. W. Louisiana as she does every year. He would have been 16 years old on the 7th of Jan. he was 11 when at the time. He and his dad were jogging on the side of the road when they both were run down by an 18 year old girl… It’s a sad day for the whole family.<br />On a brighter note, Jo and I wish each and every one of you a tremendous Thanksgiving…</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">JD</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-56974403163359152222008-08-07T08:04:00.005-04:002008-08-07T08:55:47.501-04:00"Cross Cut Saw"<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Good morning everyone: </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I know, it’s been a while, same old excuse, been busy! The project that I’m working on now is the replacement of the old wood stove. Jo and I were out and about a few weeks ago and ran across this little place out of town, (I guess you could call it out in the country), that sold wood burning stoves and fireplace inserts of several types. We were looking around and decided on this particular one, some places make it so hard to choose! So after we looked around, and after taking into consideration about just how it would look in our home, we finally made our choice! The old stove did a good job of heating but it was going through the firewood much too fast, and the blower went out on it just before spring, and all the parts on the new one were in good working order. So with studying all the information, we feel that it will be a lot more efficient and easier to regulate!<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Well, I’m ashamed to say it, but I visited someone’s blog a couple of weeks ago and they were talking about buying a, “2 man saw”, which is more commonly known as a, “Cross Cut Saw”. Well, I told whomever she was that we have one hanging on our breakfast area wall along with another saw that I really don’t know the name of it. I told her that I would take a picture of it and post it and maybe someone would let me know the name of it.</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqkwzS6gNDhyphenhyphenBKzo0k1wjqq0tojVJLmEw7Ysyonj_VDWA5EHQdviijwCbT2zHieCLO6_nPHAup_JhhQvTErxlHIIzGr-cWrY12oubZQP7gJFCC2wo_H3xQ73d8621lUJo8jmtQPven6o/s1600-h/100_1272.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231747949424796290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqkwzS6gNDhyphenhyphenBKzo0k1wjqq0tojVJLmEw7Ysyonj_VDWA5EHQdviijwCbT2zHieCLO6_nPHAup_JhhQvTErxlHIIzGr-cWrY12oubZQP7gJFCC2wo_H3xQ73d8621lUJo8jmtQPven6o/s320/100_1272.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> I don’t know the name of this one…!</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfacarqW4Ydz37hUj4_NSQB48-rorA37uJjIWpk9haFN3VAd36WrgV1vni6pafmxZbnKK3OF_8RK7rWEDZHLgpVB71btHjEfK9h82nbwlISyOCLFpAn0uo4wfaW2Z4T-7G5p50yvCMZY/s1600-h/100_1273.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5231747146341418498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFfacarqW4Ydz37hUj4_NSQB48-rorA37uJjIWpk9haFN3VAd36WrgV1vni6pafmxZbnKK3OF_8RK7rWEDZHLgpVB71btHjEfK9h82nbwlISyOCLFpAn0uo4wfaW2Z4T-7G5p50yvCMZY/s320/100_1273.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">"Cross Cut Saw"</span></em></strong><br /><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Also I would like to thank everyone for not giving up on me!<br />And I hope everyone has a great day…<br />JD</span></em></strong></div></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-40935479780417577432008-07-27T20:59:00.003-04:002008-07-27T21:10:22.251-04:00Broken Limb!<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Well, it <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">happened</span>..... A limb about 3 feet long at about 1/2" in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">diameter</span> broke..!! There were 7 pears on it! It just couldn't handle the weight........ There are others that I feel will do the same. I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">hoping</span> they will get ripe enough to pick before that happens! Oh well, I guess Mother Nature knows best?..</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Have a good day........ JD</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-1562823032209506692008-07-23T09:23:00.006-04:002008-12-09T10:50:04.485-05:00The pear tree<span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Good morning Friends:</span></em></strong></span><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">As I was out on the purgola drinking my second cup of coffee, I noticed the pear tree close to the house. It is full of pears but the one next to it only has maybe a half dozen, I wonder why? So I went in and got the camera and took a few shots and thought I would share them with you.</span></em></strong></div><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em></strong><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZWv30aHA9OJxViSTR1s2COeJYDcpvCqvAsHVW-QyCzJl-0pqGPaeuB351tozk2vTwRG2rufyGUxhHanezYY53CN8RFIvcJHR7GvTzG0lAaqVBdslzVjHTz3k1cxaPyzoWrNdWJEhVzo/s1600-h/100_1154.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226209104954343938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZWv30aHA9OJxViSTR1s2COeJYDcpvCqvAsHVW-QyCzJl-0pqGPaeuB351tozk2vTwRG2rufyGUxhHanezYY53CN8RFIvcJHR7GvTzG0lAaqVBdslzVjHTz3k1cxaPyzoWrNdWJEhVzo/s320/100_1154.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> The tree has so many pears on it that it is so distorted from their weight! You can see the shadow of the other tree, slim and trim!<br /></span></em></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOAqvFkz1HkboAaOmegHrY2gb-Mj46RnROXF5ADVKX07zxln8LtZIUa4DBZutXrLnFlDWKNuxNAdngmIY1xOc966wT8xY1zOzDK3qVpl3KoVRjt70-X37kEqXX6pKca2pEoGzcNAZarU/s1600-h/100_1157.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226207898325882322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOAqvFkz1HkboAaOmegHrY2gb-Mj46RnROXF5ADVKX07zxln8LtZIUa4DBZutXrLnFlDWKNuxNAdngmIY1xOc966wT8xY1zOzDK3qVpl3KoVRjt70-X37kEqXX6pKca2pEoGzcNAZarU/s320/100_1157.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">This shot is the very top of the tree and you can see<br />what the weight of the pears are doing to it!</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMa79jWWoTvI2JxC1vLZI5Ebj_A60BCHfQWVbqqLnAIpObXbUEm_mv_Ke5HGElV6qjhoZjaMDWYg_hG0_k7DSPCRqIu5WDZmpopsQAfIllrN7QFobk_q7P3J2N_3lMHbdCexyPGFLrr8/s1600-h/100_1158.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226207065871454242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdMa79jWWoTvI2JxC1vLZI5Ebj_A60BCHfQWVbqqLnAIpObXbUEm_mv_Ke5HGElV6qjhoZjaMDWYg_hG0_k7DSPCRqIu5WDZmpopsQAfIllrN7QFobk_q7P3J2N_3lMHbdCexyPGFLrr8/s320/100_1158.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> They are in clusters like this all over the tree.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZtBY5oNPZstfSjD9ZaX19KNpnPDePGCrfsF6_45Qp5K2hrNZ0PRiW0cxnGeldoy0LiwfLBYXG8T3W4qK_3q1VtwZJ_cS7C_WkI1vY1eAxtQQ_Vu2-y_U2BrB8KSINWOoUaf5ZoqV20c/s1600-h/100_1160.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226206111985036178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZtBY5oNPZstfSjD9ZaX19KNpnPDePGCrfsF6_45Qp5K2hrNZ0PRiW0cxnGeldoy0LiwfLBYXG8T3W4qK_3q1VtwZJ_cS7C_WkI1vY1eAxtQQ_Vu2-y_U2BrB8KSINWOoUaf5ZoqV20c/s320/100_1160.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> Some of the limbs are almost touching the ground.<br />I told Jo we might have to prop the limbs up so they don’t break!!<br /><br />Well I hope this finds everyone in good health.<br />Have a great day……….. JD</span></em></strong></div></div></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-2482510704396439772008-07-21T07:28:00.004-04:002008-12-09T10:50:04.681-05:00Aging<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Hello friends:</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="color:#cc0000;">Well it looks like it’s been a month since my last post, sorry about that. I’ve been tied up in all kinds of projects around the house. One of which, aside from mowing grass and weed eating, is the 8 X 10 foot well house that will double for a storage area, we can never have too much of that. Then there’s the running to the lumberyard and sawmill, sizing and stacking firewood for the winter, well you get the idea! </span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHtFh3P39uM6rpD66I_V9W8MsTHndks6CQT1CSEDyQ7NxJfB8K1gpFyo83tojx5pk0Ri5c9UacoHWxFu3FbazUztK-_YUnArHxLcVXlRPy2iO-yk7N8ZkcIEy1cVHnfZnjIFjWTugv2o/s1600-h/100_1143.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5225438969722153858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHtFh3P39uM6rpD66I_V9W8MsTHndks6CQT1CSEDyQ7NxJfB8K1gpFyo83tojx5pk0Ri5c9UacoHWxFu3FbazUztK-_YUnArHxLcVXlRPy2iO-yk7N8ZkcIEy1cVHnfZnjIFjWTugv2o/s320/100_1143.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">As you can see, I have my world class helper, "Riley", on the job with me….<br />I will be finished with it as soon as the metal roof trim comes in, it had to be ordered. My next project will be a, Back yard Shower…..! Well I’ve got a deck planned for the east side of the house but the size and cost of that project might have to wait till next summer. It will be split level and I plan to build it in sections.<br />*******************</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I got this from that, “Friend of Mine”, this morning and thought it made a lot of scene…. </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><br />**********************<br />George Carlin 's Views on Aging </div><div align="justify"><br />Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions. 'How old are you?' 'I'm <span style="color:#990000;">four and a half!'</span> You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key. You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead. 'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life! You become 21.. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling. What's wrong? What's changed? You BECOME 21, you TURN30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone.But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would! So you BECOME 21, TURN30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and make it to 60.You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday! You get into ! your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!' May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!! HOW TO STAY YOUNG 1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them.' 2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.3. Keep learning.. ! Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer’s. 4. Enjoy the simple things. 5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive. 7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help. 9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.10. Tell the people you love that you love them , at every opportunity. AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!! </span></em></strong></div><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><div align="center"><br /><br />Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "...holy sh*t ...what a ride!"<br /></div><div align="center">I hope this finds everyone in good health.... JD<br /></div></span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-15625884723924993622008-06-21T08:28:00.003-04:002008-06-21T08:57:28.762-04:00Seven Wonders of the World<p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxCfuvN6PCClNaxa92xCioMaayielglEkjKGlwkFnhDsyWuzNtu32bTRJzjgSl6RKb-qCphdUpVUh91tKtfXA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">I've told you before several times that a friend sent me this, well he's sent me another one that you <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">might</span> like, I know I agree whole <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">heartily</span> with !</span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">I just hope it works... *S*</span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Have a great day !!</span></em></strong></p><p align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">JD</span></em></strong></p>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-12539950086945828622008-06-08T18:27:00.003-04:002008-06-08T20:00:44.281-04:00Facts about Louisiana<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> Hey Ya’ll:<br />Well it’s gress cutting weather again! So, I got out there and did my job….Still have some trimming to do.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I got this from a buddy of mine down in Louisiana, it has some facts that I was unaware of and I thought I would share them with you…</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">If Hurricane Katrina causing the levees to break in New Orleans is the only thing you know about Louisiana, here are a few more interesting facts about the Bayou State :</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Louisiana has the tallest state capitol building in the nation at 450 feet.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The Louisiana SuperDome in New Orleans is the largest enclosed stadium in the world.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">* The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway is t he lon gest over-water bridge in the world at 23.87 miles.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Louisiana's 6.5 million acres of wetlands are the greatest wetland area in America.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The oldest city in the Louisiana Purchase Territory is Natchitoches, Louisiana founded in 1714.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">* he first bottler of Coca-Cola, Joseph Bie denharn, lived in Monroe, Louisiana and was one of the founders of Delta Air Lines, initially called Delta Air Service.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Delta Airlines got its start in Monroe, Louisiana when Parish Agent, C.E. Woolman, decided to try dusting the Boll Weevil that was destroying the cotton crops in the Mississippi River Delta from an airplane. It was the first crop dusting service in the world.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana is the largest predominantly black university in America.* Baton Rouge was the site of the only American Revolution battle outside the original 13 colonies.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The formal transfer of the Louisiana Purchase was made at the Cabildo building in New Orleans on December 20, 1803.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The staircase at Chritien Point, in Sunset, Louisiana was copied for Tara in "Gone with the Wind."</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Louisiana is the No. 1 producer of crawfish, alligat ors an d shallots in America .</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Louisiana produces 24 percent of the nation's salt, the most in America.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Much of the world's food, coffee and oil pass through the Port of New Orleans ..</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Tabasco, a Louisiana product, holds the second oldest food trademark in the U.S. Patent Office.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*Steen's Syrup Mill in Abbeville, Louisiana is the world's largest syrup plant producing sugar cane syrup.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*America's oldest rice mill is in New Iberia, Louisiana at KONRIKO Co.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The International Joke Telling Contest is held annually in Opelousas, Louisiana.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*LSU (The Ole War Skule) in Baton Rouge has the distinction of contributing the most officers to WW II after the U.S. Military academies.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The Louisiana Hayride radio show helped Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash achieve stardom. It was broadcast from KWKH Radio in Shreveport, Louisiana from 1948 to 1960.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The term Uncle Sam was coined on the wharfs of New Orleans before Louisiana was a U.S. Territory as goods labeled U.S. Were from "Uncle Sam."</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*The game of craps was invented in New Orleans in 1813 as betting was a common activity on the wharves </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*When states had their own currency, the Louisiana Dix (French for ten) was a favored currency for trade. English speakers called them Dixies and coined the term Dixieland.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">*New Orleans is the home of the oldest pharmacy in America at 514 Chartres Street in the French Quarter. These early medical mixtures became known as cocktails (guess they were good for what ails ya?), <br /> </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Coining yet another term.* New Orleans is the birthplace of Jazz, the only true American art form. Jazz gave birth to the Blues and Rock and Roll music. Viva La Louisiane!!!</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-45237242598766942182008-05-31T20:34:00.003-04:002008-05-31T20:51:38.902-04:00Great Grand Son<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Hello everyone:<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">‘Breaking News’<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Jo and I have a brand new, “Great Grand Son” ! Caden Wayne Miller was born at 12:59 PM Thursday, May 29th, 2008. He was 21 inches long, and a whopping 9 lbs, 4 oz! Mom and baby are doing great. sister Audrey is proud of him too. She is 3.</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">On a different note; I got an e-mail from a friend with an inspiring message, I don’t know if it’s true or not, but I really liked it and I think you will too .</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">A four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">the little boy said,</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> 'Nothing, I just helped him cry'<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Have a great day………. JD</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-19612547587094107582008-05-25T07:45:00.003-04:002008-05-25T08:53:44.714-04:00Feast Of The Flowering Moon<div align="center"><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Hello everyone, Yes, it’s me…… </span></em></div><br /><div align="justify"><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I hadn’t realized it’s been so long since my last post. We have been having some pretty good weather here lately and I’ve been taking advantage of it in the yard. Yeah, yeah, I hear you, that’s an excuse, you say, well you’re right I guess. I have to admit, I do get a little lazy at times. Anyway, don’t give up on me; I really do enjoy hearing from you.</span></em></div><div align="justify"><br /><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I slept late this morning and when I got in here she was working on the PC. She was posting the following clip for me, she’s a lot more up-to-date on the workings of this thing, thank goodness! Anyway, I took the pictures in the clip while she was in the Dr’s office waiting for her appointment. We live almost 40 miles from the Dr’s office so we try to schedule our appointments on the same day’s and as close to the same time as possible for economic reasons, the fuel, you understand. Well this particular day the “Feast Of The Flowering Moon” festival was just getting under way and all the venders were getting set up in the streets. The city had blocked of several streets for this festival. So after our appointments, Jo and I went for a walk through the streets and down into the park area and snapped more pictures. The park is large and these pictures do not do it justice, It’s a beautiful place to visit, many people that work close to the park go there to eat their lunches. The name of this park is, “Yoctangee Park”, and it’s located in downtown Chillicothe Ohio.<br />I really don’t know when or why the festival got started but it's held every Memorial day weekend. And as I understand, it was started when the Native Americans in the area would gather and have their Pow Wow’s and socialize with each other, and get up-to-date on all the happenings in the area. The festival used to be held inside the park, but now it has gotten so commercialized that it has expanded to several streets.<br />When I came in and caught Jo posting the clip on my blog, I told her that I would have to explain it now, know what she said? “That’s the idea”, she said! Kinda sneaky huh….*S*<br />It’s good to be back…… I'll try not to be such a stranger in the future! I hope you enjoy the clip, AND, Have a great day<br /><br /> JD</span></em></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-40291695814383348542008-05-25T07:33:00.001-04:002008-05-25T07:33:46.222-04:00Feast Of The Flowering Moon<div><embed src="http://widget-2a.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" quality="high" scale="noscale" salign="l" wmode="transparent" flashvars="cy=bb&il=1&channel=2233785415190469674&site=widget-2a.slide.com" style="width:400px;height:320px" name="flashticker" align="middle"></embed><div style="width:400px;text-align:left;"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2233785415190469674&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-2a.slide.com/p1/2233785415190469674/bb_t005_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=bb&at=un&id=2233785415190469674&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-2a.slide.com/p2/2233785415190469674/bb_t005_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></div></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-78275647792212615062008-05-02T13:43:00.003-04:002008-05-02T13:49:21.782-04:00Are things as they seem...?<div align="left"><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;">I know that you’ve all heard the old saying, “Things are Not always they seem,” …. Well,… sometimes they ARE…!!</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><br /><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;"><br /> Two men dressed in pilots' uniforms walk up the aisle of the aircraft. Both are wearing dark glasses, one is using a guide dog,and the other is tapping his way along the aisle with a cane.<br /> Nervous laughter spreads through the cabin, but the men enter the cockpit the door closes, and the engines start up.<br />The passengers begin glancing nervously around, searching for some kind of a sign that this is just a little practical joke.<br />None is forthcoming.<br /> The plane moves faster and faster down the runway, and the people sitting in the window seats realize they're headed straight for the water at the edge of the airport property. Just as it begins to look as though the plane will plow straight into the water, panicked screams fill the cabin.<br /> At that moment, the plane lifts smoothly into the air.<br />The passengers relax and laugh a little sheepishly, and soon all retreat into their magazines and books, secure in the knowledge that the plane is in good hands. Meanwhile, in the cockpit, one of the blind pilots turns to the other and says, 'You know, Bob, one of these days, they're gonna scream too late and we're all gonna die' !! <br /> Just thought you could use a chuckle !</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;"></span></em></strong> </div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="color:#990000;"> JD</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-21568150279619791562008-04-30T20:25:00.003-04:002008-12-09T10:50:04.888-05:00Pet Peeve<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> Pet Peeve<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Another one of my pet peeves are people who park in handicapped parking places just because they are driving someone else’s vehicle with a handicap plate or mirror hangtag, that doesn’t mean that they are legally parked while in the handicapped space! On one occasion I was walking out of a supermarket when a pickup with a handicap plate on it pulled into a handicap parking space. A man of about 35 years old and 2 young boys, one about 12 years old and the other about 8, or 9 years old got out of the truck. The younger boy asked his dad if he was supposed to park there the dad said, “That’s ok, that’s grandpa’s truck.” Like the truck was handicapped? I’ve seen people pull into a handicap space and the driver jumps out and run into the store while the handicapped person sits in the vehicle and waits. I know a young lady that would barrow her grandmother’s mirror tag when she would go to the store! What’s wrong with these people? If they ever had to handle a wheel chair, or have to walk with crutches across a parking lot maybe, just maybe they would understand what these handicap spaces really mean to the people who really need them!<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">And remember, ---<br />You cannot un-say a cruel or unkind word.</span></em></strong><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiS1gZIy3t2ji3P-9I7Y4kyxDT9ztynAeiVbxk78vF0drgsI3q-uJVT-SqQ2NaMSJTSWgryrxb67FmiF_FI2zD0GIXqdGa00PAjh2TkVNGY2u8LZ_PJoQcU_IcDEXfDdL5dNUjQA7YFA/s1600-h/jdsig.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5195199264889207634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbiS1gZIy3t2ji3P-9I7Y4kyxDT9ztynAeiVbxk78vF0drgsI3q-uJVT-SqQ2NaMSJTSWgryrxb67FmiF_FI2zD0GIXqdGa00PAjh2TkVNGY2u8LZ_PJoQcU_IcDEXfDdL5dNUjQA7YFA/s320/jdsig.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-20110087412062501942008-04-26T14:49:00.002-04:002008-04-26T15:17:36.281-04:00A Charming Proposal<div align="justify">Hello friends, I am true to form, Lazy and Late again!!</div><div align="justify">But today I have a treat for you. Last night Jo and I went to the Waverly High school to watch the, 'High School Drama Club', out do themselves again. These young adults were simply unbelievable in their performance of a play by, 'Delmar Burkitt', Titled, "A Charming Proposal".</div><div align="justify">The play was directed by, 'Barbara Brushart' and was assisted by, 'Carol Cornish'. The students involved were Waverly High School Freshman, Sophomores, Juniors and Seniors. To really get the full impact of these Young people's ability, you would have had to be there...!</div><div align="justify"> We have put together a slide show of an array of pictures for your enjoyment. To view the slide show, click <a href="http://www.slide.com/r/uLXKnyx_2T9HbmMuUfSQlWXO7r8Kacwe?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original">here</a>.</div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-5845801487685491822008-04-16T10:00:00.005-04:002008-04-16T10:23:34.012-04:00Wet Pants<div align="center"><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Well you’ve probably figured out by now that I’m like a horse’s tail- </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><br /> </div></span></em></strong><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">‘BEHIND’ </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><br /> </div></span></em></strong><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I received this story from one of my e-mail friends and thought you might enjoyd it also…</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"><div align="center"><br />WET PANTS<br /></div><div align="justify">Come with me to a third grade classroom..... There is a nine-year-old kid sitting at his desk and all of a sudden, there is a puddle between his feet and the front of his pants are wet. He thinks his heart is going to stop because he cannot possibly imagine how this has happened. It's never happened before, and he knows that when the boys find out he will never hear the end of it. When the girls find out, they'll never speak to him again as long as he lives.</div><div align="justify"><br />The boy believes his heart is going to stop; he puts his head down and prays this prayer, "Dear God, this is an emergency! I need help now! Five minutes from now I'm dead meat."</div><div align="justify"><br />He looks up from his prayer and here comes the teacher with a look in her eyes that says he has been discovered</div><div align="justify"><br />As the teacher is walking toward him, a classmate named Susie is carrying a goldfish bowl that is filled with water. Susie trips in front of the teacher and inexplicably dumps the bowl of water in the boy's lap. </div><div align="justify"><br />The boy pretends to be angry, but all the while is saying to himself, "Thank you, Lord! Thank you, Lord!"</div><div align="justify"><br />Now all of a sudden, instead of being the object of ridicule, the boy is the object of sympathy. The teacher rushes him downstairs and gives him gym shorts to put on while his pants dry out. All the other children are on their hands and knees cleaning up around his desk. The sympathy is wonderful. But as life would have it, the ridicule that should have been his has been transferred to someone else - Susie.</div><div align="justify"><br />She tries to help, but they tell her to get out. You've done enough, you klutz!"</div><div align="justify"><br />Finally, at the end of the day, as they are waiting for the bus, the boy walks over to Susie and whispers, "You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Susie whispers back, "I wet my pants once too."</div><div align="justify"><br />May God help us see the opportunities that are always around us to do good.. Remember.....Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.</div><div align="justify"><br />Each and everyone one of us are going through tough times right now, but God is getting ready to bless you in a way that only He can. Keep the faith.</div><div align="justify"><br />This prayer is powerful, and prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost but a lot of rewards Let's continue to pray for one another.<br />The Prayer:</div><div align="justify"><br />Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and those that I care deeply for, who are reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your grace. Where there is need, I ask you to fulfill their needs. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings. Amen.</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-39197904539459801082008-04-07T12:53:00.002-04:002008-04-07T12:58:53.965-04:00Too wet to mow<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Hello Friends:</span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"> The grass is coming through the ground so hard and fast you can almost hear it crackling through. It’s a bright green and looking good to, for now that is..! The weatherman is telling me that we have more rain on the way, and that it’s been raining on the average of every 3 days. That doesn’t give the yard time enough to dry up enough to mow! Looks like I will have to order a pair of pontoons for my lawnmower!!! It just gets to where I can walk across the yard without getting my shoes all muddy, it rains again. There’s one consolation, the Lord knows what He’s doing… That’s for sure…! Anyway, I’ve been having trouble with the breaks on the riding mower, so I went out this morning and took the whole thing apart and found the problem. I remover the break assembly and found that one of the little pushrods that pushed on the break pad was froze in place. I took my hammer and finally got it out and greased it up good, now my breaks are as good as when I bought it. I put the mower deck in the tool; shad to keep it from rusting during the winter so I pulled it out and got it all hooked up too. But it’s still too wet to mow…!! At this rate, I’ll have to hire a bush hog to mow my yard when it dries up..!!<br />Have a great day……….. JD</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-90213944722800327532008-04-03T10:07:00.004-04:002008-12-09T10:50:05.554-05:00Grandma's Hands<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">A friend sent this to me and I really enjoyed it, so I thought you might like to read it and maybe look at your own hands in a different light, I know I have….!.</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6JX6FkRdRrCB1gACpznnbAleiL0rJOY31YyxO1Hn5IiISaAKfdBCilYvbhvz5wpxm1Oj8PIDb_oijs47D_S1DvpwkxybIXU1U2ilKmts0Wb1-Cl_G7bdew5UW76GdxZIA_coHIUp30c/s1600-h/Hands.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185020988091064754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6JX6FkRdRrCB1gACpznnbAleiL0rJOY31YyxO1Hn5IiISaAKfdBCilYvbhvz5wpxm1Oj8PIDb_oijs47D_S1DvpwkxybIXU1U2ilKmts0Wb1-Cl_G7bdew5UW76GdxZIA_coHIUp30c/s320/Hands.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Grandma's Hands </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><div align="justify"><br />Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands. When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK. Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. "Yes, I'm fine, thank you for asking," she said in a strong, clear voice. "I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK," I explained to her. "Have you ever looked at your hands," she asked. "I mean really looked at your hand s?" I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making. Grandma smiled and related this story: "Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life. "They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor. They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war. "They have been dirty, scraped and raw, swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse. "They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand. They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer. "These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life. But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of Christ." I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God. I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face. When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another. Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both. Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something<br />Christ would do.<br /></div></span></em></strong><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">-- Author Unknown </span></em></strong></div></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-28663532947742690432008-03-31T15:09:00.003-04:002008-12-09T10:50:05.897-05:00Home Churned Butter<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I was just wondering how many of you have sat on that little 3 legged stool and actually milked Ole Bossy? I can only remember 2 or 3 times that I milked that old cow, I was a little whippersnapper back then. I had watched grandma countless times so I knew the drill. First you be sure that Ole Bossy had a good portion of feed or hay to keep her busy, then after giving her a few pats and rubs on the side you were going to be milking on, to let her know you will be there and not to get excited. The last thing you want her to do is plop her foot into the bucket, or kick it over. Then with the drying towel over your shoulder and your milk bucket with warm, clean water in hand you sit on your little stool and wash her bag and utters. This serves 2 purposes, one it lets her know what you will be doing down there, and two, It’s for sanitary reasons. Then when Grandma was finished with themilking, she would strain the milk several times and put what she wanted to serve at the table in her refrigerator. I don’t ever remember her boiling it.<br />I know that if you’ve ever milked Ole Bossy, you know what this is and what you do with it!</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIoF8jja3vKDgQS6yqQNfbnoNrNSfi0sh8V_xhw2vF7Q0pW72NUmpnrLWrvin_tj0hwB6YzkqlGvbnyeJanCe82DHc5VfKMyknxwRMwhyJYhEtxDxEKgbdr36B8nPW4a9D3DKB6vPpaU/s1600-h/Churn-2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183985840843186594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEIoF8jja3vKDgQS6yqQNfbnoNrNSfi0sh8V_xhw2vF7Q0pW72NUmpnrLWrvin_tj0hwB6YzkqlGvbnyeJanCe82DHc5VfKMyknxwRMwhyJYhEtxDxEKgbdr36B8nPW4a9D3DKB6vPpaU/s320/Churn-2.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> The rest of the milk would be prepared and put aside to be churned. Then the milk would be poured into that old churn and churned into butter? I remember that when the butter was almost ready, I had to let Grandma finish it up because it was hard for me to churn, but she was use to it. When the butter was finished, and if my mother was around, she would use a teaspoon and make a baby’s footprint in the middle of the butter. She was an artist and sign painter. I remember once she was hired to paint some advertisements on a grocery/dry goods store windows in Columbia La.,(Leg Rodgers’s grocery store). Along with several products advertised was an advertisement for ladies underwear, Mr. Rodgers asked her to be discreet with the wording. So, the sign read, “Seat covers- .50 cents a pair!” The reason they were so expensive is because they were store bought, not flower sack bloomers…! If memory serves me right, the ‘Coldwell Watchman’, the, (Columbia news paper), printed pictures of it!<br />I’m kind of rambling here, but if I don’t put it down when it pops in mind, I might forget…. Anyway…!<br />Things were a little different at home; we didn’t have electricity, running water, or indoor plumbing of any kind! And when my mother milked the cow, she had to go through the same procedure with the exception of the refrigerator. The milk that was to be served at the table was put into a gallon pickle jar with waxed paper over the mouth and then the lid screwed on. A string was tied to the top of the jar and lowered into the spring. The water was iced cold year round. That’s how we cooled our watermelons and anything else that needed to be kept cold. The spring was a natural fed spring. We did have an, “Ice Box”, for short time cooling of the butter and milk. If you have ever churned you own butter, then you know what an ‘Ice Box” is! I remember the “Ice Man” that would go by about a quarter mile from the house and we, as young’ns, would have to meet him at the main road and carry the chunk of ice to the house to put in the ice box. Normally it would start out at about 10 to 15 pounds but by the time we got it home and after we had sat it down to let our hands and arms thaw, it would be considerably less! Oh well, this post was supposed to be about the, ‘Churn; but you know how it is, It’s like Lays Potatoes Chips, you can’t eat just one……..!!</span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-61377352950362979382008-03-22T10:45:00.002-04:002008-03-22T10:56:07.306-04:00The Apron's History<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">One of my e-mail buddies sent me this, “Apron” history and I thought you might like to read it, I know that, like me, it will bring back a few old memories!<br />I remember just about every use mentioned preformed by my grandmother, and for that matter, my mother had an apron too, she also knew what it was for!<br /> *************</span></em></strong></div><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;"><div align="justify"><br /> I don’t think our kids know what an apron is.<br /><br />The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven. It was wonderful for drying children’s tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.<br />From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven. When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold, grandma wrapped it around her arms. Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables. After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds. When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.<br /></div></span></em></strong><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">REMEMBER........<br /><br />Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool.<br /></div></span></em></strong><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Her granddaughters set theirs on the kitchen counter to thaw.</span></em></strong><br /> </div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-6791699824701561112008-03-20T08:49:00.012-04:002008-12-09T10:50:06.778-05:00Yard Deer<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Hello Friends:<br />I would like to share with you some new happenings on the mountain. Our 4 legged friends decided to pay us </span></em></strong><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">a visit last Tuesday afternoon. As you can see, we were blessed with a low cloud and Jo whispered to me to come look out the window and this is what I saw standing looking back at us. The first one was no more than 15 feet from us! I don’t have to tell you that we both were delighted. It’s been some time since their last visit and looks like they brought their young’ns along with them….. </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Enjoy! </span></em></strong></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLVWsk8f7tjm2c8uPX7QOBh8SyWZH5VxsCM2Sxm2UZaXY4ZHX9_k_-4g0y04Kyhzvsw9ORuq4PSyhPIwBbyOxoC4ZTCRRphhyH4K6KucfSPSNgX4de3BO1spFlFHBRKWluBHqbGUzHqQ/s1600-h/100_0466.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179812880683164050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLVWsk8f7tjm2c8uPX7QOBh8SyWZH5VxsCM2Sxm2UZaXY4ZHX9_k_-4g0y04Kyhzvsw9ORuq4PSyhPIwBbyOxoC4ZTCRRphhyH4K6KucfSPSNgX4de3BO1spFlFHBRKWluBHqbGUzHqQ/s320/100_0466.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsoppx59YfwIKJC1CmHWvAv2I9GH1os7mr_y0hU-GHdfx9No1auJRRyheVevJA3MVOSGyJGgLEJiBa_hBvaGR42N0cKCMS83jls8EXa3YylGBrCovvr6sucKpN6zTt4poDVxkIc9FIS8/s1600-h/100_0468.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179812528495845762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPsoppx59YfwIKJC1CmHWvAv2I9GH1os7mr_y0hU-GHdfx9No1auJRRyheVevJA3MVOSGyJGgLEJiBa_hBvaGR42N0cKCMS83jls8EXa3YylGBrCovvr6sucKpN6zTt4poDVxkIc9FIS8/s320/100_0468.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3I0Gwcb1_-lYP6-XH8Sf1P47TBLThk4utJbak-WLCkbVsJ5LAOIYPe0Un7FIMrzp9b8tb4O88ihV-ZGV0ZHn9JjazzqbOngtvqroe9CkjjBAKslt8qKUviceqAjv_CYuL_3qFYtVg-Q/s1600-h/100_0467.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179812000214868322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC3I0Gwcb1_-lYP6-XH8Sf1P47TBLThk4utJbak-WLCkbVsJ5LAOIYPe0Un7FIMrzp9b8tb4O88ihV-ZGV0ZHn9JjazzqbOngtvqroe9CkjjBAKslt8qKUviceqAjv_CYuL_3qFYtVg-Q/s320/100_0467.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsKs_lRQ-eTuEgQd3CTdMkz0WTVf4cIsnvRkw0o0Yn7iMln8_J-9FJIZYatE5LAwqzDzXjfOcgLfvznZG1M9eGwUK2Ipp6VrtptZVOe6CP-vcBC3AShKhHDOguInZgdUfeeRikMSe94k/s1600-h/deer-1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179811549243302226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtsKs_lRQ-eTuEgQd3CTdMkz0WTVf4cIsnvRkw0o0Yn7iMln8_J-9FJIZYatE5LAwqzDzXjfOcgLfvznZG1M9eGwUK2Ipp6VrtptZVOe6CP-vcBC3AShKhHDOguInZgdUfeeRikMSe94k/s320/deer-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></em></strong></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong><em><span style="color:#3333ff;">Have a great day.......... JD</span></em></strong><br /><br /></div></span><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-38306107398662550142008-03-15T14:30:00.004-04:002008-03-15T14:38:01.324-04:00Double Jeopardy<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Well, I guess I’ve come down with that dreaded, “Writer’s Block”… I’ve been reading a few blogs trying to get some good ideas on something to write about. The only thing that I got an idea about was from a documentary I saw on TV last night about a man in Texas who was acquitted of the murder of his wife. The FBI brought him up on the same murder, DUH, I have always been taught that that was against our constitution! That it’s double jeopardy…!! Whether or not he was really guilty is beside the point, it’s still wrong. Just before the second trial was to begin, he skipped the country and went to, I think it was Holland, The FBI tried to extradite him back to the USA but the Holland authorities would not send him back as long as they were going to try him again on the same charge he was acquitted on in the first place. They even knew it was wrong! So the FBI agreed not to re-try him on that charge and he was sent back. All he was charged with was passport and I.D. fraud and was sentenced for that, and now, the FBI said they think they know a way they can circumvent their agreement with Holland and try him again on the same charge anyway after he serves his time for passport and I.D. fraud!<br />It’s my opinion, ok? That if the FBI gets away with this, and does re-try this man on the same charge that he was acquitted on, and is NOT termed Double Jeopardy, what is in store for you, me, and everyone else who one day may be charged with a crime, will they try us 2 times for the same crime, or 3, 4, 5, or more until they find a jury that will hand down a GUILTY verdict????<br /></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;">Am I the only one who feels this way? </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"> What do you think??</span></em></strong><br /> JD</div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-23734747007303834512008-03-07T10:18:00.000-05:002008-03-07T10:23:06.135-05:00The Blizzard<div align="center"><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><strong><em>Ok, Ok, I know I’ve been lazy..!! But don’t forget, I’m retired, so I’m allowed..!! *S* </em></strong></span></div><div align="center"> </div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#000099;"><div align="justify"><strong><em>It looks as though we’ve gotten our BLIZZARD we were promised and it looks as though we will be snowed in with this one. But I do have to pat myself on the back; we were just about out of firewood, had about 2 more days worth left in the wood shed day before yesterday. So I called my source and made arrangements to pick some up yesterday, Boy, am I glad I did, I got 3 load’s and the snow starts this morning, whew..!! After I got it unloaded out of the truck, and covered it up in the utility trailer I sighed a tremendous sigh of relief, and silently said, “Thank you Lord”. I know He was looking out for me because the man I get my wood from had to take off and go buy a new chain saw because his old one went out on him, Not only that, he sprained his ankle and couldn’t finish the job on his own so his dad came to his house and finished the job for him! So again, Thank you Lord…!!!<br />Now here Jo and I are in a warm house watching ‘Him’ cover everything here on the mountain with His blanket…….<br />Have a great day…………..JD</em></strong></span></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-51451418892288690102008-03-04T08:27:00.010-05:002008-03-04T08:45:38.806-05:00VOTE DAY<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">Well, here it is, March 4th, time for the voters here in Ohio to go do their civic duty and vote for their choice in the primary. I sure hope the weather doesn’t put a damper on the turnout at the poles. We all need to put on our rubber boots and grab our umbrellas and go stuff the ballot box! I know Jo and I will do just that, so please join us,,,,! After you’ve made your choice, run down to your favorite watering hole and enjoy a hot cup of coffee.</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Just remember that the right to VOTE, can and does have a direct bearing on ALL your rights!!</span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;"></span></em></strong></div><div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff0000;">Have a great day... JD</span></em></strong></div></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-15381422858420191332008-03-01T11:56:00.002-05:002008-03-01T12:02:38.862-05:00Prince Harry<div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:180%;color:#660000;">Another pet peeve</span></em></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">I was watching the news yesterday when they were showing Prince Harry in his army uniform and rifle and making a big deal out of the fact that he was in Iraqi fighting the terrorists. DUH, how many of those terrorists would like to get hold of him?? This morning I see where he is pulled out for his safety! I mean, Hey, plaster it all over the TV and radio!! Just think how high their ratings would go, or haw many news papers they would sale if he were captured, or worse, killed, God forbid! It’s hard for me to understand and wonder just how far ahead the reporters and even editors look before printing things like this; does it even make a difference to them? It reminds me of an earlier post of mine about the news media telling everyone where and when a DUI checkpoint would be! Then report that their efforts are not doing enough good to justify the cost of the checkpoints!<br />It appears that something isn’t right!<br /> </span></em></strong></div><div align="center"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#660000;">It’s just my opinion. Tell me what you think </span></em></strong></div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-87484621541291645892008-02-26T19:31:00.004-05:002008-02-26T20:22:33.438-05:007 weird things about me<a href="http://www.jonjdsbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Jo</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> has gone and tagged me to take part in the meme!</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">7 weird things about me.</span></em></strong><br /><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Here Are The Rules</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">1. Once you are tagged, link back to the person that tagged you.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">2. Post THE RULES on your blog.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">3. Post 7 weird or random facts about yourself on your blog.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">4. Tag 7 people and link to them.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">5. Comment on their blog to let them know they have been tagged.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">Here are the 7 weird things about me:</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">1- Don't like to wear socks to bed.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">2- I like potato salad sandwiches.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">3- I like cold fried chicken.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">4- No matter where I'm going, I'm always in a hurry to get there.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">5- I don't care if the sheets are wrinkled and the bed is unmade.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">6- I like to mow the grass.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">7- I like hot Dr Pepper.</span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"></span></em></strong><br /><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">My list of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggers</span> that I've tagged. Let me know if you take part in the 'meme' so I can check out your list.</span></em></strong><br /><a href="http://ginafamilyresidency.blogspot.com/">Gina's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">FNPResidency</span></a><br /><a href="http://mystispirtualjourney.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mysti</span></a><br /><a href="http://jottemdowns.blogspot.com/2008/01/molasses-taffy-and-stuck-dentures.html">Rambling Rose</a><br /><a href="http://yukon-wilderness.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Yasmine</span></a><br /><a href="http://sweetgrassfarmkennel.blogspot.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Sweetgrass</span> Farm</a><br /><a href="http://cindyinsuffolk.blogspot.com/">Cindy's Snaps</a><br /><a href="http://cupcakerecipe.net/index.html">Cupcakes</a>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2702314042483622500.post-40485321862738946532008-02-25T20:46:00.002-05:002008-02-25T20:55:45.626-05:00How we got here<div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;">I recieved a comment from a blogger friend, ‘Hope’, who wanting to know just how we happened to be here in the Little House on the Mountain. Well it was a challenge to say the least. As I said in a previous post that I retired in October of 2003. By this time we had already had everything sorted out and ready to hit the road. We had been living in a camper trailer, a 29’, 2 bedroom job for 3 years before I retired. It wasn’t bad at all with only the two of us and there was plenty of room.<br />We moved the camper up here to Southern Ohio and parked it in a camper park and lived there while we looked for something anchored to the ground. We went to a realtor and found several places for sale and we looked at them and just couldn’t believe what they were asking for what was in bad need of repair…! The realtor dug way down to the bottom of the pile of paperwork and came up with one she had listed. She gave us the address and we rode out to look at it. We drove and drove and finally came to a cleared out place along side of the road with just enough room to park the car. There was a stone lined walkway that winded down through the shoulder high weeds, briers and tall grass to a house that we couldn’t see! Jo wouldn’t go through that jungle, she said “You go ahead; I’ll wait in the car…….” After I went for a look around, I told her that she had to come and look at it, and finally agreed to look and was impressed. Jo and I went back to look at it again, then the realtor came out with the key and we were both taken by the condition of the inside, it was as neat as a pin, very well kept!<br /> I really liked what I saw and so did Jo; there was a small clearing around the house which was the yard, the house was 130’ back from the parking area. I could see the potential. From that time forward, I would compare this house, property, and price to every place we looked at and kept coming up with this one. But, we kept looking, I bet we’ve been up and down almost every back road in southern Ohio, and after about 4 months and 5000 miles, we decided on The Little House On The Mountain..!! We’ve doubled the square footage and are planning a large deck off to the side with a fire pit in the yard. There’s still a lot of work to be done and I think we can handle it ok……<br />There have been additions to the area that are eye sores, but when the leaves are out during the summer, we can’t see anyone else…. </span></em></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><em><span style="font-size:130%;color:#990000;"> LOVE Mother Nature…!!<br /></span></em></strong> </div>J.D. Scorpiohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10673373976965805348noreply@blogger.com4