Sandra Cox's Blog, page 4

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

 Greetings Bloggers,

What's your synonym, example, sentence or definition for:

 Example: CJ brought this lovely, ole-timey word to my attention last week, when describing my writing challenge response. Don't ya love it?AND 

Did you know, there are organisms that are part-plant, part-animal? IE Elysia chlorotical. Sea anemone.

 

https://www.encyclopedie-environnement.org/en/zoom/elysia-chlorotica-the-slug-who-thinks-shes-a-leaf

 Sea anemone is genetically half animal, half plant | ScienceDaily

Ketch-up Day

 

Well it went from raining almost daily in some form or another to temperatures flirting with 100 degrees. What's it like there?

Meanwhile in the garden: 
 

 

FRANK:
AND North Carolina 

Thanks, Ryan 

 Sweden

Thanks, Meghan and Jacob

 That's it for now. Have a grand one, blogger buds.

Weekend Wishes

 

AND

 I'm posting on Frontier Justice at Cowboy Kisses. 

Writerly Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

 

What's your synonym, sentence, definition or example for:

 

 

 

 Example: His mother was French, his father Italian and he grew up in America speaking a macaronic mix.

 

 AND

Did you know, eating a lot of onions can make you sleepy?

 

50 Interesting Plant Facts | Fun Facts About 

Ketch-up Tuesday: Denise's Perspective Challenge

 

Denise's perspective challenge 

 Tree stump in an enchanted forest GI by FairytaleDesign from Getty Images

 

Long ago, before the gods were destroyed, he stood in the realm of the forest, tall and regal,ageless. 

Nature paid him homage.

The sun warmed his branches. Moonlight threw his shadow. The rain nurtured him. The wind blew dulcimer melodies through his branches. Even the woodland creatures honored him with their presence as the birds sang delicately in his ears. Only man stayed away.  

Perhaps, they feared what they didn't understand. Whatever their reasons, he cared naught.

Then one day, when least expected, the little girl burst into the forest. Her radiance rivaling the moon and her smile the sun. She craned her neck and looked up where his branches reached into the sky, overshadowing the other trees.

She walked to him, her small hand outstretched and placed it on his rough bark."Thank you," she said simply. A child that understood what lived  inside the tall, magnificent tree. He lowered his branches till they gently encircled her. A moment later, he raised them again, standing immobile as he had for centuries, the sentinel of the forest.  

Years passed. Then one day, when least expected, an old woman, bent and leaning on a cane, traversed the forest. Her radiance faded, her smile dimmed. She hobbled forward and placed her hand on the gnarled tree stump. "Thank you," she said simply. For a moment, a face appeared in the stump and nodded. Then the features disappeared and the stump stood immobile, the sentinel of the forest.

 

 

  

Writerly Wednesday AND Did You Know Thursday

What's your synonym, meaning or sentence for:

 Example:

Let's have a hootenanny. You can play the  fiddle, I'll play guitar  and the guests can dance.

 AND

Did you know, the now extinct colossus penguin was as tall as LeBron James?

Giant 6A-Foot-8 Penguin Discovered in Antarctica 

 

Ketch-up Day

 How is your week going?

Same ole. Same ole here. More Garden Pics

  

For Andrew:)

 

 

 

 

Enjoy the rest of your week.

Weekend Wishes

 

IWSG Wednesday and Did You Know Thursday

 

The firstWednesday of every month is officially IWSG day. IWSG was formed by NinjaCaptain Alex Cavanaugh. Members post about their doubts and fears, discussstruggles and triumphs, and offer words of encouragement to others who are struggling.

 

Twitter handle: @TheIWSG  

Hashtag: #IWSG 

The awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!

Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post.These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experienceor story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let itinspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. 

Remember, the question is optional

 

June 4 question - What were some books that impacted you as achild or young adult?

I read every horse story I could get my hands on: INDIAN PAINT,FROG THE HORSE THAT KNEW NO MASTER, BLACK STALLION, etc. BLACK BEAUTY broke myheart.

May/June Reviews in noparticular order.

*Disclaimer. If I run into an occasional typo, I ignore them and don't factorthem into my review.

 

THEHILL OF SACRIFICED SOULS by RC and JP Carter

Book35 in the Magnolia Bluff Crime Chronicles focuses on the paranormal. Theauthors themselves actual paranormal investigators, part of a team out of FL.

Ayoung woman, much loved by the community goes missing, abducted and killed by aritualistic serial killer.  Hoping to preventthe killer from striking again and harming anyone she knows, the victim ElianaEspinosa contacts her friend, paranormal investigator Maureen Donovan, in adream.  A dream that sends Maureen andher husband Mike racing to Magnolia Bluffs hoping to discover and stop thekiller before he strikes again. Tension mounts as another young woman iskidnapped, while beings on both sides of the veil try to prevent anothermurder.

Thiswill especially appeal to those drawn to the paranormal and are curious abouthow an actual paranormal investigation work.

Available at Amazon 

 

THEGENIE EFFECT by MK Alexander

Whathappens when a celebrity chef finds a lamp with an actual genie in it?

CelebrityChef James Carter is on vacation in Morocco when he discovers a lamp in atourist shop that he just has to have. Imagine his surprise when he rubs it toclean it and a genie appears, an attractive one at that.

AfterAzar emerges in a whisp of smoke James’ life becomes one big adventure filledwith fun and romance. But not everyone is as enamored with genies as James iswith his. An ancient wish has created a brotherhood whose sole purpose is towipe out every genie in existence. And the brotherhood has nearly succeeded.

Howwill James and Azar get out of this dangerous coil they find themselves in?You’re going to have to read their story and find out for yourself. Grab yourbeverage of choice, put your feet up and settle in for a fun read.

M.K.Alexander worked for the New York Times for over ten years.

Available at Amazon 

 

FRANKLINPIERCE, America’s 14th President by John DiConsiglio

FranklinPierce was not a well-known president or one that was very well liked. He triedto strike a compromise to keep the Southern states from seceding and ended upmaking both sides furious.

Healso lost a beloved son two months before his inauguration. His wife wasdevastated and refused to attend, believing it was a sign from God that Pierce shouldn't run for office.

Piercespent most of his time in office without a VP AND appointed his friendJefferson Davis Secretary of War. He was also the only president to place his hand on a law book instead of a bible when he was sworn  in.

It’snot a known fact but there is speculation he was an alcoholic. And given hislife it would hardly be surprising.  Ifound this book to be informative, but sad.

*This is part of a young person's presidential encyclopedia set, but also suitable for adults. 

Available at Amazon 

 

 AND

 

Did you know, June 4th is 

 

 

 

Ketch-Up Day

 

How are you? What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Does your mail look like this? Bills and donation requests? One of my pet peeves is giving to a charity and them selling your name so everyone can ask for a place in your wallet.

In the Garden The Butterfly Bushes and day lilies are starting to bloom.
 


The hydrangeas are still blooming (This pic is for you, Andrew.)
 
 The blackberries are ripening 
 And I found some baby grapes on the vine:)   

 The Critters

Nori, Frank, and Callie

 

Louie and Maisy

 

 

 And in the news

 

I studiously avoid politics on this blog because A. I feel very strongly about them. And B. I have friends on the other side of the fence that feel just as strongly about their beliefs and I seriously doubt if we are going to change one another's mind. This one though hit close to home and I'd like to share it. Our nephew is one of the scientists who lost government funding. He works on brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease and other neurological issues. He recently took part in an AP interview and because of that he has been getting hate mail from the opposing party, which I find to be so very sad. (And to be perfectly fair, my side of the fence can get pretty raw too. It's a bad situation all around.) He is truly a kind, gentle soul whose goal in life is to make the world a better place.  

 The article itself, I found to be well-written,  informative, and thought-provoking. What in it incited hate mail is beyond me. If you'd like to read it, here is the link. 

 

Scientists have lost their jobs or grants in US cuts. Foreign universities want to hire them. 

LINK:

https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/wireStory/scientists-lost-jobs-grants-us-cuts-foreign-universities-122172965