z Cottage by the Sea : 08/18

Friday, August 31, 2018

Let's Take a Walk...

I am joining in with Debbie's Friday Foto Friends and Skywatch Friday once again.

Winter's coming
 We haven't taken a walk in a while. Can we go for one now? It's a bit hot but we can get some cold drinks to take with us at the little deli. Let's stop in a get something, my treat.
Don't worry about the heat. Soon enough everyone will be complaining about the snow and the cold



Here is St. Gertrude's. It's cute inside and out. It is catty-corner across the way from the Deli.



We were headed uphill, which has a great view but it's too hot. Let's go downhill to the water and just walk wherever our feet take us.




 Here we are at the ocean (below).. the water is just across the street. I've always liked this house on the corner.


Here is a look at the ocean across the street.....


It's getting late and here we are back by my cove...this is my neighborhood.



Let's go home... I will make us something to eat.


Until tomorrow... Be good!

Sunday, August 26, 2018

Sunny Day

Hello, Friends!

Today at the Jersey Shore
Temp:77-84F
Ocean Temp: 78F
Wind:8 to17 knots (10-20 mph)
Waves: 1 to 3 Feet
UV index: 8 Very high bring plenty of sunscreen.
High Tide: 8:20PM tonight
 

I am posting Bev Sykes Meme called Sunday Stealing.


1. How has your life most benefited from the Internet? Whether it’s meeting people, cutting business overhead, finding rare collectibles, or simply sharing funny cat pictures, share how the web has made life easier.
I am grateful for riends I have made through blogging, learning new things, and having a window on the world never before possible.

2. The getaway car is waiting outside – where is it taking you?
To Home Goods , then to Michael's for some flowers for a tiny autumn wreath I will make.

3. Do you reply to comments on your blog? All of them? Or just the really interesting ones?  Do you go back to check if the authors or the blogs you comment on reply to your comments?
I reply if I feel it needs a reply..when questions are asked or if I think clarification might be nice. Sometimes I respond to everyone, sometimes I don't. But I love all the comments and read them all. Sometimes I can't think of anything to say.
I do go back to see if anyone replied, yes.

4. On average, how long does it take you to make an important decision?
I've never thought about it. I weigh things carefully, however. Also it depends on how quickly an answer is needed!
I was due for another heart surgery July 24. I didn't feel good about it and thought it through, prayed about it a lot. After praying the phone rang with the surgeons office asking if I wanted to do it a week earlier.  I said, No, I want to cancel it complelety as I have questions about this.
I am now scheduled to talk to the surgeon on September 11 about it all.  We will see. The first surgery may or may not have taken.. I just an unsure what I will do right now but I think postponing so I could question him more was right.

5. Do you gather a lot of information prior to making the decision, or do you go with your gut in the heat of the moment?
It depends on the situation. Some things demand information, some things need a heart felt response. So, it depends. In many situations your heart is deceptive and best left out of things.

6. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned recently?
Patience because of my physical limitations.

7. What’s your hidden talent? Are you double-jointed? Can you sneeze the alphabet? Share your unique skill.
I am good at mimicking accents. As a kid I was good at double dutch jump rope.

8. Rate the level of intensity you have about wanting to know God – no desire, low priority, curious, great desire, high priority, desperate to learn more. Explain your answer.
High. No explanation needed. It is just what is. Desperation is not a good thing to have in that regard.

9. What’s one of your nicknames?  How did you get that nickname?
I've had several but "Angie" is my favorite.  A friend in school, Maryann F. used to call me "Ang" and "Angie". It stuck for a long time and I liked it.

10. What do you have to have with you when you travel? Why?
 Depends on the destination. I want things along that will be needed
The only thing you HAVE to have is you.  

11. What do you think about reading books on an electronic reading device? Do you have an electronic reading device? Do you love it? Why? If you don’t love it, why not?

Yes, I have one given to me by a very good friend.  I used it quite a lot  but when I was in rehabilitation therapy after spinal surgery my eyes were too blurry for a long time due to anesthesia and I could not really read at all, or use the computer much.  All in all,though, I do prefer books.

12. Do you prefer writing on paper or a keyboard? Why?
Keyboard. It's faster and easier.

13. If the shoes make the man (or woman), what do your shoes say about you right now?
(Assuming you’re wearing shoes. Although if you’re not, that certainly says something, too.)

My shoes say that I am casual more often than not.

14. Describe your favorite pair of shoes.
There are more than one favorite for me:
 1. My Puma black running shoes. They are black with white Puma sign on the side, very flat thin soled. I've gotten so many compliments on those little shoes.
 2. my moccasins. Like having protected bare feet.
 3. my little baby blue striped shoes with knot on the front. They are ballerina style shoes. Very cute I think.

15. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained one ability or quality, what would it be?
To make myself invisible when I wanted to be.

BONUS:  When they "cool sculpt" your body, where does the fat go?
It freezes, crystallizes and is absorbed into the body to be eliminated.

Saturday, August 25, 2018

Saturday Nine!

Time for Saturday 9...
Think (1968)
Unfamiliar with this week's song. Hear it here.

In fond remembrance of The Queen of Soul (1942-2018).
 

  1) As befits one of America's premiere artists, Aretha Franklin sang at three Presidential inaugurations. The first was Jimmy Carter's in 1977, when she sang "God Bless America." What's your favorite patriotic song?
 

America the Beautiful and the Star Spangled Banner.

2) The daughter of a Baptist minister, Aretha grew up with church music. She told Rolling Stone one of her favorite songs was the hymn, "Victory Is Mine." What's your favorite religious song?
 

  Shir Lama'alot which is Psalm 121




3) She welled up a bit when President George H. W. Bush presented her with the nation's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. When is the last time you shed a tear?
 

Often and a lot... so, don't ask.

4) In 1980, the Queen of Soul sang for the Queen of England in a Command Performance at The Royal Albert Hall. Have you ever been to London?



No never been to London.

5) Since Aretha had many honorary degrees, it would have been appropriate to refer to her as Dr. Franklin. Who is the last person you referred to by his or her title (Officer, Father, Sgt., Dr., etc.)?


Dr. David Yeagley
 


6)  In this week's song, Aretha tells her lover that it doesn't take a high IQ to understand what's going on in their relationship. Do you know your IQ?

Yes, 148. 
 

7) A sculpture of Aretha is on display at Madame Tussaud's in New York. Do you think wax museums are cool, or creepy?

Cool!

8) Aretha and Motown legend Smokey Robinson were literally lifelong friends, since they were playground buddies in Detroit. Smokey is one of the only people who can claim to have seen The Queen of Soul with a bucket in a sandbox. If we went to the playground today, would you head for the swings, the slide or the jungle gym? Or, like Aretha, would you play in the sand?


The Swings!

9) Random question: Do you like pumpkin seeds?

They are okay, but not really a fan of them, no.


Friday, August 24, 2018

Scenes of Summer...

Summer is passing by quickly and the autumnal equinox is just around the corner officially arriving on September 22nd at 9:54 PM.
Wouldn't some nice views of summer be appropriate as we  head into the final days of summer?
Children in New Jersey don't go back to school until after Labor Day and when that comes these swings will be empty until after school. Weekends will see them fully occupied again.
I can't resist swings myself and take every opportunity to swing when I can! You never outgrow your need to play. At least, I don't.
I live my life being 10 over and over again.
I am joining with Friday Foto Friends and Skywatch Friday.
As always the photos can be enlarged for better viewing.


The boaters will continue to anchor in the cove until too much chill drives them away.
I think they find it relaxing to sleep in a rocking boat .


  Bulkhead on the bay..


Storms come and go in summer and bring their own kind of beauty.


The bay is clear and blue.


When it churns up a touch of green tints the waves.





This night time photo was achieved through Photoshop.  I took the photo during the daytime but thought a night time look would be more interesting.  So I made the sky dark, added stars, moon and reflection on the water.


Taking the boat into New York City.



Have a good weekend my friends.

Sunday, August 19, 2018

Sunday Almost Over,But....

Sunday can be boring I think. I have never particularly liked them.Even as a kid I found them yukky.
But I do like Bev Sykes' Sunday Stealing and so I am joining in!


 Here are the questions for this week....
1: 3 Fears
    Ummm..  I feel it isn't good to give voice to some things.
 

2: 3 things I love
    Chilly days/evenings in autumn,  dinner at the Russian Tea Room, the seashore.
  3 more just cuz I can't stop: Winter snow, The Metropolitan Opera, Mysteries!


3: 4 turns on
   Very masculine men X 4
 

4: 4 turns  off
    stupid people (not stupid because they aren't smart but stupid  because they are one dimensional, refuse to learn etc. I guess you could say willfully stupid.
 

5: My best friend
  Right now it would be  a cup of  nice decaf coffee. In life it was my Grandmother.. hands down, end of story.
 

6: My favorite book
 A Christmas Carol by Dickens has always been my favorite.
  A second runner up is Herodotus' Histories

7: My best first date

    Ummm... a date to the Bronx Zoo. 

8: How tall am I

    Someplace between 5'5 and 5'6. Because of my spine I don't know for sure. Last time I was 5'53/4 but according to my orthopedic surgeon and I have small bones for my height and should have probably been somewhere about 5'1". 
 

9: What do I miss
   Garfield,  being able to hike, ride a horse, play athletic games, bowl, archery.. lots of things.

10: What time was I born

      5:20 AM in a snowstorm on a Tuesday morning
I am a Sagittarian with Sagittarius rising. Double whammy there.

11: Favorite color

Varies. I like yellow, purple, green, blue.

12: Do I have a crush

  I do not.   

13: Favorite quote (underlined below in context)

  "Spirit," said Scrooge, with an interest he had never felt before, "tell me if Tiny Tim will live."
  "I see a vacant seat," replied the Ghost, "in the poor chimney corner, and a crutch without an owner, carefully preserved. If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the child will die."
    "No, no," said Scrooge. "Oh no, kind Spirit! say he will be spared."
    "If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, none other of my race," returned the Ghost, "will find him here. What then? If he be like to die, he had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
    Scrooge hung his head to hear his own words quoted by the Spirit, and was overcome with penitence and grief.
    "Man," said the Ghost, "if man you be in heart, not adamant, forbear that wicked cant until you have discovered What the surplus is, and Where it is. Will you decide what men shall live, what men shall die? It may be, that in the sight of Heaven, you are more worthless and less fit to live than millions like this poor man's child. Oh God! to hear the Insect on the leaf pronouncing on the too much life among his hungry brothers in the dust."


14: Favorite place
Wherever there are nice people.

15: Favorite food

I like German, Russian, Mexican, Italian and Greek foods. But I do have to say I am rather fond of salt free potato chips.


16: Do I use sarcasm

Yes.  It is just one of the many services that I offer.

17: What am I listening to right now

      Boats on the water

18: First thing I notice in new person

       Their personality

19: Eye color

          Green

20: Hair color

       Blonde 

Saturday, August 18, 2018

Saturday 9



Life is about learning to dance in the rain!
A thunder and lightning storm put me to sleep last night. There was a weather warning about it but it didn't seem to me to be a very big deal here anyway. Also it was supposed to cool down some but as I stuck my head outside to feed the fish it didn't seem all that cool at all, just muggy and hot. More thunder storms on the way but I kind of like them. Here by the shore we are always under flood warnings.

The Farmer's Almanac says that autumn will be warmer than usual.  I remember those as a kid and we enjoyed some of that with kids able to go out on Halloween without a heavy coat. But over all I think most people
like the seasons to be typical.  Let's all pray for a nice, cool autumn.  God willing, let us prove the Almanac wrong, 


I am joining in with Saturday 9 this week as well. Why don't you ?


Here we go:

      Saturday 9: It's a Jungle Out There (Theme from Monk) (2003)


Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is the theme from the detective show that ran from 2002-2009. Were you a fan?
No. It appeared a bit goofy to me so I never bothered with it. 

2) The song warns us about the air we breathe and the water we drink. Does your home have an air or water filter?
No air filter. I live by the sea and the air is pretty clean. I buy bottled water since the town made us shut down our wells which were perfectly fine by the way. Someone got paid off I think.

3) The lyrics say, "People say I'm crazy to worry all the time." Are you a worrier? Or do you just take things as they come?
It depends on what is up. Mostly I just go with the flow for a bit but there are some things I will take some time to worry about.  It usually doesn't last long, however, as I like to take charge of how I feel and let my brain conquer my feelings when possible.

4) TV's Adrian Monk is known for his outstanding deductive powers, an homage to Sherlock Holmes. Have you read any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's books featuring Sherlock Holmes?
Yes, I liked Sherlock Holmes but I liked him better in the movie and modern versions than the book version.

5) Monk was also known for fastidiousness and precision, an homage to Hercule Poirot. Have you read any of Agatha Christie's books featuring Poirot?
 Is the sky blue?
I am a great fan of Poirot and of course Agatha Christie's novels in general.  I didn't find Poirot to be annoyingly fastidious or mentally ill like Monk.

6) This song was written and performed by Grammy and Emmy winner Randy Newman. Do you have any trophies or plaques?

Yes. I have several trophies and medals for running track. I have award pins for acapella competitions.

7) Before winning an Oscar in 2001, Mr. Newman had the distinction of having the most nominations (15) without a win. Do you consider yourself a graceful loser?

Yes, its not a big deal to me if I lose.  I only am bothered by a spiritual loss or a loss in an argument over right and wrong. Physical or game losses are nothing to me.

8) In 2003, when this song was introduced, Lance Armstrong won his fifth Tour de France. Later, he was disgraced in a doping scandal. Can you think of a time when a hero disappointed you?
I don't have heroes in that sense. God is my real hero and cannot disappoint.
Humans are human and will always disappoint. However, as I tell my children, everyone is not all one thing. We all have good and bad and if you do not accept that you will always be disappointed.
There are people who inspire me in some ways. One is Patti Joyce from Patti's Pearls Wigs who fought cancer having chemo dozens and dozens of time. She never gave up.  And, as she says, get up, suit up and show up!   Having spinal and heart issues makes life difficult if I let it,and I could lie down and never move again but I think of Patti and get up, suit up and show up. Look at Patti's videos ..she's a hoot. Love her.


9) Random question -- We're catering lunch. Should we put you down for a burger or a taco?
 Tacos.. plural. One is not enough and I will eat several, thank you.

 I hope your weekend is going nicely.  Behave yourselves and enjoy the rest of summer.



Friday, August 17, 2018

Photos from my Week...

Welcome friends. It is another Friday already and time for Friday Foto Friends and Skywatch Friday. 
It's been a hot and humid but mostly sunny week by the New Jersey seashore and residents and tourists are enjoying the last month of summer to the hilt!  The season will wind down after Labor Day which is the official end of the beach season here in NJ as lifeguards no longer work. The boardwalks stay open all year for the most part because people go to eat there, etc. and for daily walks along the coast. You can swim up until late September or early October but there is no beach protection during those times.
School in New Jersey is always after Labor Day because of tourism. I know it begins earlier in other parts of the country.
Here are my offerings for this week's photographs. They are bits of life as I lived it this past week. I hope you enjoy coming along.

It's nice to eat outside in the summer time with family and some friends...




When I finished grocery shopping Wednesday night, the sun was going down.


In the little pond,  frogs play and wait for dinner to fly on by, the fountain bubbles and life goes on as usual.


Black Eyed Susans are scattered in great profusion everywhere.





The sky always provides a lovely show, rain or shine, night or day.



Miss Allie Gator has called my backyard home for at least 15 years.
She is 6 feet long and weighs practically nothing as she is made of some kind of plastic.
The kids gave her to me as a gift and she guards the big pond in the back.



The bay is calm and lovely. There are cool breezes that blow off the water on the hottest of days making them tolerable and 10 degrees cooler than the interior of the state.


 The little fishing pier in the evening on the bay is always a nice place to sit and take in the breezes and the salt air.


I hope your weekend is special, peaceful and lovely.

Sunday, August 12, 2018

Sundays are for Stealing...

Hello friends!
Yesterday was the graduation party for the Famous Anonymous and her friends and teachers. I have to say these kids are the finest young men and women  I have ever had the privilege to know.
Bella notte!
We had a 6 foot sub sandwich, hot dogs, Mexican layered dip and chips of all kinds, and I made huge pans of baked Penne pasta which were devoured in record time. For dessert there were Italian cookies (This is New Jersey.. Everything in New Jersey is Italian in one way or another. Even people who are in no way Italian are Italian in NJ. Every food made in New Jersey ends up being Italian. Even the Chinese restaurants in NJ are  Italian.  Its the law, its what is... get over it) and cup cakes.
It was a rainy day but it didn't dampen anything and while we had hoped to be outside at the fire pit, inside was even better. The conversation never lagged and was wonderful.
The party went from mid afternoon until late night.
They played games like Heads Up, etc. Tons of fun.
It is Sunday  the first day of the week and time for another round of questions from Sunday Stealing by Bev Sykes.
Let's give these questions a try...

1 - You’re in a tattoo parlor about to get inked. What are you getting done?
Well, if I were to ever get a tattoo, which is extremely doubtful as in  hell freezing over doubtful, it would be something very tiny and delicate. I have seen women get tattoos in memory of their deceased children, but as a private person I feel things like that belong in the heart and not in public display.. my personal preference only. That isn't a judgement on  the decision of anyone else as I have seen some
lovely memorials done in that way. It's just not for me. Tattoos are not for me.

2 - If you could be any character, from any literary work, who would you choose to be?
Miss Marple
Natalya Rostova
Choose to be? Perhaps Natalya Illyinichna Rostova from War and Peace or even Miss Marple
or Tuppence Beresford or Ann  Beddingfeld(The Man in the Brown Suit) from Agatha Christie's novels.
But I really seem to be a lot like Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables. I recognize myself
Anne  Shirley..  Anne of Green Gables
in her character description. Asking relatives if I match the description they answered..yes.  I feel so at home on Prince Edward Island and relate to her feelings about so many things it is uncanny.

3 - You’re given $10,000…under one condition: you cannot keep the money for yourself. Who would you give it to?
My children.

4 - If you had to go back in time and change one thing, what would it be?
The vain and irresponsible sin of Adam.

5 - If you had to delete one year of your life completely, which would it be?
This question is very hard and that would be a foolish thing to do if it were possible. There are some very hard and difficult things I did not like but I am not in God's position to second guess why or what they mean or how they may be effected me. No, I will leave things alone.

6 - You’re an Action Movie Hero. What’s your weapon of choice and the line you scream when defeating your arch enemy?
A sword of lightning. I do not scream. I state quietly.. "Let this be a lesson to us all, blackheart!"

7 - What is the first curse word that comes to mind?
Dam - it. Sorry but it was also my first word as a baby after hearing my grandfather say," Dam-it Bessy, what have you done?"   My grandmother had hurt herself doing something silly in the kitchen and my grandfather was afraid she was badly injured. Thankfully she was not and my grandfather was much relieved but I repeated it and it became my very first words. (Much to my family's dismay)

8 - Would you rather be stranded on a desert island with someone you love for ten years or someone you hate for a month? Explain why.
Someone I love for ten years.   There is no one that I hate.And when I dislike someone I have little feeling for them in any way at all. Perhaps a month might help repair that and would be a good opportunity, but, I would just rather be with someone I love and let that grow.

9 - 5 things within touching distance:
1.A "Jersey Shore" mug of  very hot coffee, 2. my handwritten recipe binder, 3.a pair of hair cutting scissors, my 2019 "she led a life of endless possibilites" planner, a double ended colored pencil in two shades of brown.

10 - What are you supposed to be doing right now?
Working on my blog



11 - Currently wanting to see anyone?
Not especially, no. Happy to be by myself enjoying doing this quietly.

12 - Would you go against your moral code for money?
Not just for money no. However, if breaking my moral code would save someone, I would very much consider it, yes. For instance, lying to save a life. Bad guy:"Are you hiding Anne Frank in your closet?"     Me: "Nope".

13 - What’s more important to you: strength of the body or strength of the mind?
They are equally as important. Since I am disabled I know that a weakened body in pain can be challenged with emotional strength and etc. It can be hard to remain strong mentally when you are in pain. It takes Herculean effort at times.

14 - How important you think education is?
Very, but not just school education. Learning from others and from life and from God is extremely important.

  The Soap Box is Out....

15 - If you were the president, what would you do?
This things are hard because governments in this world are not ruled by the people we see all the time. |
I am neither liberal nor conservative and find both are usually too extreme in their views.
But, having said that here is what I would do.
1.I would end the Federal Reserve, which is a private bank and unconstitutional in every way. It is responsible for much of our monetary debt and problems.
2. I would follow in Andrew Jackson's footsteps and create a governmental monetary system as the Constitution dictates. No big banksters allowed.
3. End '3 strikes and you are out' laws and laws which carry ridiculously extreme penalties regardless of circumstances.
4. Reconsider pardoning many women in prison for self defense after years of abuse.
5. End the list of sex offenders which denies that there can be repentance and condemns people,  including those wrongfully accused but convicted,  to a life time of prejudice and guilt. If you will target one group of offenders then you must target all. Do you want your name associated with past sins forever? Well? Do you?

6 I would end foreign aid except for emergency situations. I would especially end foreign aid to nations which oppress their citizens, including the oppression of women.
7. I would close the borders as other nations do. There would be no other option except to come legally and to become a citizen who will contribute to the nation.
Make it virtually impossible to enter without papers and just disappear into the population.
I would go after Mexico and Central America, whose rulers are mostly European Spaniards and ask why they mistreat their Indian populations and want to be rid of them! I would force them in ways I could, to get control of drugs that are ruining the peace and lives of the Mexican and Central American people. It is a shame.  Reclaim the jungles and deserts for the sake of the people's welfare.
The same applies to United States mistreatment of sovereign Indian nations. It must stop and there must be improvement of their situation. How this is done must be the result of consultation of Tribal elders.
8. I would see about a national mag-lev train system for rapid transit.
9. Revitalize the steel and coal industries and bring back Detroit etc.
10. I would make repair of infrastructure a major priority and would kick states in the behind for their corruption and mishandling of taxes.
11. I would arrest all mayors and governors who break Federal law, though this is a difficult and slippery slope for states rights.
12. I would require proof of citizenship for voting and for running for any office in the United States as the constitution demands.
You need proof to get a driver license etc. You should be able to prove who you are before anyone votes for you or before you vote. Foreigners have no say in voting nor should they.
13.Extreme oversight on voter fraud.  Try to end the Chicago way of dead people voting, voting twice, non-citizens voting, changing ballots electronically.
14. Cut back the power of the IRS
15. End the CIA and their ability to make  war, topple governments and assassinate around the world.
16 End duel citizenship. You are either American or something else. You cannot be two things at one time and remain loyal to either.
17. End and go back to the time when Americans could not accept foreign recognition like royal titles, etc. There is no royalty in the USA nor should there be.
18. Stop fracking because it destabilizes the land and causes earthquakes and sink holes.
19. End Chem trails.
20. Come down heavy and hard on human trafficking (part of the massive influx to America is just that with abused and exploited children being an immense number of these people.. God save them.)  Put an end, as far as is possible to child exploitation in movies, Hollywood and etc.
 21 End lobbying by big business and especially by foreign powers.
22 Uphold freedom of speech but encourage the American people to use their own powers of   loud disapproval to put a stop to racism, sexism and cruelty.
23 Create term limits for Congress. No more career politicians.
24 No more use of  paid paramilitary to fight wars.
 25 End the use of military style police. Bring back the cop on the beat.
26 End monopolies by insurance companies and open up competition to lower prices significantly.
27. Check into solutions for rising food prices. It is unconscionable how high prices for groceries are rising!
28. End monopoly by big tech companies, big pharma and internet providers.

29. End the use of the American people and their money as the world's cash cow.
30. End federal control of  student loans and let competition for loans lower prices.
31. End monopoly of media.
32. Expose and end the  military industrial complex and it's filthy murderous wars for profit. President Eisenhower and John F Kennedy warned us about this stuff.
33 Pardon all Congress of any wrong doing to eliminate blackmail by pressure groups, foreigners and etc. to manipulate their votes.
34. Fix NATO, end it's corruption but strengthen relations with Europe and Russia for the better.35. Encourage Americans to be aware of products from overseas made by slave labor.
Did you know many Chinese factories have suicide nets to keep the "employees" from killing themselves?
 36. Lessen the use of plastics etc., though this would be very difficult.
 37. Bring back and help family farming to make a dramatic comeback.Not sure how this would be done but it must be a priority.