I have some sweet men friends I introduced to Xanga.  Speaking of Kenneth today, he is a Brit with many talents, interested in Photography, Videos and Animations using a free software called Squirlz.  Ken also plays the Piano or keyboard since very young playing in clubs in the UK.  In a much earlier blog, I put a link to him singing.  Kenneth has a private Xanga but is not very active with it.  I have been coaching / coaxing him hoping he will eventually open his blog and join the Seniors group along with his lady friend.  Both of them would be the sweetest additions to the group and we seniors all know Xanga is good for your health while keeping in touch.

Today Ken and I were discussing Internet Explorer and I was asking him about the status bar, whether or not he kept it open to view.  I explained I keep my status bar always viewable on any software program (I am assuming they all have them) as you get direction for the program in the bar that is helpful. 

Here are some print screens that may be of help to one or two of you.  They are large size with links below them to even larger sizes for even better viewing.

The message bottom left explains the open drop down in the photo.

 SEE LARGER IMAGE:  CLICK HERE 

The Status bar shows the page fully loaded, bottom left “Done“.  Sometimes it shows errors on a page that may not be there.  Just refresh the page.  Errors do not particularly hurt the viewer.  It only shows something written incorrectly in the html of the page.

 SEE LARGER IMAGE:  CLICK HERE 

 The magnification choices were a wonderful new option in the Internet Explorer 7. 

 SEE LARGER IMAGE:  CLICK HERE 

Another wonderful new option for IE 7 was tabs.  With tabs, you don’t have to look for the other window you have open it is always there on the window, waiting to be clicked open with the tab.   You just switch back and forth.  When I comment for challenge entries for the Weekly Photo Challenge, I go to the site, click on the comments, Open a new tab for 6 or 8 commenters at a time.  I then create and click in my comments clicking pages off as I go.  It makes it all so easy.   SEE LARGER IMAGE:  CLICK HERE 

A Poem

Internet Explorer Easy
© RSBlain August 16, 2007

Internet Explorer, easy
Surfing pages like gulls in breezy
Lets me magnify Wren small
To Eagle large, or Ostrich tall
What a Mole mightn’t see at all.

Like swift Gazelle I run the net and
Fish to blog things that might get
Otter’s attention.

This is a graphic I built from a photograph and tubes I made from other photos.  The building is Antique Peddlers where we had such a nice lunch.  I had fun adding the tubes then turning it into a sort of Oil painting on canvas.

 

Your best friend can be your computer.
The thing is, when you think you are making love to the tune of “no glitch computing”
The little witch plays hardball instead. 

 

Have a super week,
Becca

 

Halie, Eden and I have read or are reading the Harry Potter books.  When they were with us this past week, (arrived late tuesday night and left Saturday morning) the first thing we did, when we headed out for the day, was buy a scholastic hardback copy of “The Deathly Hallows”, final book #7 of the series.  In the four days they were here, someone was reading or thinking of reading in the book closing it at night with 3 markers in it.  The $18.00 was well spent for this third copy, and cheap entertainment as it entertained 3 readers over the four days.  I had another copy on hand but as it is the special edition I didn’t want it all fingered up and my Library edition I had ordered didn’t make it here from Amazon.com until yesterday, the 30th. Wouldn’t you know, they sent me a scholastic copy, not the library binding I had ordered,   SLOPPY MISTAKE.  Having to return things is such a nuisance but it will go back to them in the morning and I’ll wait, again, for my library binding copy. 

I have, however, finished reading Book 7.  I won’t say more than it was exciting.  I did feel some disappointment in the two final chapters as they were, to me, very anticlimactic.  No matter what I think; the book sold millions, lots of kids are better readers, the fanatically devout have added it to their banned book lists long ago and in spite of who thinks what, JKRowling is, after the fact, one of the wealthiest women in the world through her use of her tremendous imagination I wish I had a portion of.  ”The Deathly Hallows” sold more copies in a single day than any other book in the history of book selling.  So, who am I to criticize?  I can barely write a decent blog entry.

I am so glad
I have survived
the pitfalls / addictions of “the computerized world”.
I am reading again.

My family left early Saturday morning after making plans for John and I to visit them over the Christmas holidays.  I look forward to it.  A friend has suggested some other exciting reading, ”Lord Foul’s Bane (The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever, Book 1)” by Stephen R. Donaldson and ”Northern Lights” by Phillip Pullman.  I will carry at least one of them to cover the drive.  I first have to catch up on some other reading on my list.

 

We did a lot of photo taking while Halie was here.  We visited Reading, Ohio, the little city I grew up in (I have displayed photos from the area before).  We reminisced in a few spots with a bit of food, drove familiar streets that are not quite as familiar as they used to be and drove past my school (kindergarten through high school) and some of the parks where festivals were held and some of the best fireworks displays were set. 

My old neighborhood has aged.  It has its cracks and missing parts and is in great need of a face lift.  I have no idea if any of the residents have familiar surnames.

This is the house I was raised in.  It was a good spot.  I have lots of memories, some sad but I was glad to go back to take photos that have brought back many good ones.  The corner by the stop sign was my spot to sit while the sun came up.  I was the only one out and the only one feeling its warmth creeping in the early morning hours.  I loved early mornings and sat there every morning in the summer.   The grass in the right front is where I would lie on my back and study clouds for animal formations and pick clover to weave into crowns to wear.  The little stoop on the left side was a spot to play and mom had Iris growing at the bottom of the steps.  Old fashioned Roses grew on a fence at its side and there was a large box elder tree with honey suckle circling it.  It was a perfect spot to play.    Lots of nice shade was lost when that tree was cut.  The windows face West and the sun comes in hot.  The view of sunsets is magnificent.

Looking down the street to the right of the house, half way down is where the broken glass sliced my foot.  It’s hard to think of a broken bottle then.  There was money in collected bottles.  Broken ones were worthless as there was no recycle.  People didn’t have yard sales, just threw what they didn’t want anymore into the trash if no one else wanted it. 

At the very bottom of the hill, in the park I played in, stands this tree.  Many a plaster mold was poured at tables sitting under it.  The park supervision, the paints and materials were provided by the city but on thinking about it I believe mom may have paid a small fee.  It would have amounted to very inexpensive child sitting.

This is the park today plus some bare ground behind where I am standing taking the photos.  The pool I played in was foreground of the shade.  I don’t recall any branches shading the pool.  The water was cold enough without it.  The swing set that nearly killed me is no longer in the park, gone the same way as the pool.

Halie gave me a gift certificate for Mother’s Day to Miss Annabelle’s Tea Parlor and Gift Shoppe!  for a Tea Party.  While she was visiting, we made the reservation and so enjoyed the tea party together including husbands and grand daughter.  My tea choice for the event was ”Buckingham Palace Garden Party” and it was very nice, quite royal in taste.  

Each of our teas was served in cute little pots and cups and we had a large assortment of goodies from scones to cookies to finger sandwiches to chocolate covered strawberries. 

 

I am not photogenic like the rest of my family but for what it’s worth a collage of me.  It’s doubtful I will ever display one again.

I’m sorry to say, they do look like me.  I reserve the right to hate the darn things.  All of the shots were taken during discussion and eating at our very special “Mother’s Day tea party in July”.  It was a nice time.  The tea was very special and the scones were the best I have eaten and the chicken salad which I usually don’t like was very good.  I would like to have the recipe.  Thank you Halie for such a nice present.  I loved it.

There are times I am so ashamed of myself. 
 NEVER FORGET, http://www.xanga.com/USA_troops_aide .

Enough, Be well everyone. 

Becca

 

 

My family has made it this far  .  A few days together and we will be worn out.  They are tired from the drive but Mitch and Halie are walking the Loveland bike trail as I type.  Eden is still sleeping.  Their trip had some rough bumps but they are dealing.  My plans while they are here do not include a lot of running though we do have plans for a couple of meals out.  I would just like to visit while playing a game or two and watch some movies.  We watched one of the Bob Hope movies last night.  I wanted something silly for some laughing.  I picked out “Road to Rio” as it has a barbershop scene I thought might do the trick and it did.  It was a reminder   of Halie’s little eyebrow trim a few weeks ago.  After “Road to Rio” Mitch picked out “Seabiscuit” with Toby McGuire.  None of us had seen it for a while and had forgotten how inspiring a movie it is.  It has lots of history and lots of lessons with a feel good ending.  My favorite kind. 

Another thing I want to do with Halie is pack up some Christmas Ornaments, with her help, as they will go home with her.  She asked for them and it’s the most important thing planned, besides helping to move a couch.  All very exciting!

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My main reason for posting concerns a piece of mail I received via the US Postal service.  It contained a CD of one of the American Idol recordings, Carrie Underwood, along with A BILL and the information “they were so happy I had joined their recording club”.  NOT, IT DIDN’T HAPPEN, I HAVEN’T A CLUE WHO THEY ARE, HAD NEVER BEEN TO THEIR SITE, EVER, UNTIL HITTING IT TRYING TO FIND THE NECESSITIES TO BLOW THEM OUT OF THE WATER WITH SOME VERBAL ABUSE.  The company who sent all of this stuff was BMG Music Service and I can tell you there is no easy way to contact them to complain.

I filled out forms, online, for the Ohio Attorney General, and also found this site I wanted to share.

Internet Complaint Board:  http://www.complaintsboard.com  It was easy to use, I filled out more forms, and it may come in handy for one of you someday.

Have a good week, stay well.  My thoughts are with a lot of you who I know are going through hard times.

One of my older photos to brighten up my page, taken at a park in Rockford, Illinois

Becca

 

 

I have been experiencing a downer for a few days, various reasons.  My daughter and her family drove from Virginia taking a short vacation motivated by a class reunion in Iowa.  They visited for a day, their plans to spend 3 more days with us on the way back.  Their vacation has been hit with a tragedy, the death in Iraq of a close and good friend who worked with Mitch on base in Spain for their 3 year tour of duty there.  Everyone is devastated and now a funeral is included in their trip.  The friend was from somewhere close in Iowa I think.  Halie reports she has cried for 4 days as he and wife were good friends and there are two small children.  You can read on her page, Halie.  Not to minimize other deaths happening in Iraq as they are all terrible but this is very much closer to home.  I think Iraq equates to AIDS, most of us will know someone, eventually, who has died from one or the other. 

I take things very hard.  When Halie hurts I go to pieces and she really doesn’t know just how bad.  I guess she will get a clue if she reads this.  Military personnel experience a lot of hurt and pain.  It’s a part of their life.  During conflicts there is much more.  I have heard of others they knew and other personal experience I won’t relate as it is hers to tell.  But, I sit here and cry for all of them.  To top it off, I have put my foot into my mouth once again.  I’m not happy unless I upset someone every so often.  Apologies always to anyone I upset as I really don’t mean to be offensive and you will get a personal apology.

As I am crying while sitting here I thought I would copy in a very old page I did years ago.  One of my very first from a site I will eventually delete. 

“Nature Cries Tears”  Written by © RSBlain, December, 1999 … Revised:  September 13, 2003 … Hidden in branches, obscured by the leaves, covered by lichens and mosses in trees the face of Nature peeks from and sees the irresponsible things we do. Tears of rain come cascading down the acid drops wetting her sorrowful frown she cries for loss of her natural gown and do we care?  We say we care. Poisons filtering thru her waters, garbage strewn over once virgin land, her offspring sighing, crying, dying, Where are our values?  Is the rape really worth the desecration, destruction of our Mother Planet, this once perfect Earth. ______________________   There are many choices we can make concerning ecology.  All of them demand better stewardship over our air, our water, and our numerous other natural resources.  For a lasting existence we must go forward to a more dedicated concern to improve usage of all of it.  Nature needs time to recover her losses.  Chemicals in our air and waters need to dissipate and toxins in streams and lakes need to be cleansed from them.  Animals, plants, and fish need time to regroup so they can come back to useful and profitable numbers.  Time and a deep concern by the citizens of the world are necessary.  Continued pollution and waste of resources can no longer be tolerated.  We either “do” or “we don’t”  take steps to reign in wasteful and polluting usages.  In the end we will reap exactly what we have sown, the continued slow death of the Earth or an Earth that will come back to sustain us.  Pollution comes in many forms all of them man made.  We are responsible for the waste, the byproducts of all things manufactured and these pollutants have saturated the air we breathe and the water we drink.  Unless we find how to better recycle and how to better dispose of waste we have signed our own death warrant.  God help us all.  “What Reason” Written by:  © RSBlain December 1999 What reason is there to go on living if all the beauty of the Earth is gone?  What reason is there if breezes are tainted and the flowers and trees no longer grow?  What reason could possibly entice if birds no longer fly overhead and the wildlife exist only in a book? What Reason? What songs will we sing?  What dance will we dance, when it is all a part of the past?   For the best Ecologically minded list I have found on the internet, Visit here Friends of the Earth: Links For petitions:  worth their weight in gold, Visit here The Petition Site – Authentic Petitions. Real Change. Find Your Recycling Center Earth 911: recycling centers Carol Tanzi Goddess of Garbage, Carol A. Tanzi

Good Thoughts always,

Becca

 

TheNarrator posted a lovely fountain photo to compliment his story about New York City.  His post photo reminded me of a photo a friend sent to me for use. 

This one below.

This is the original photo sized down from huge for my page. 
It was taken I believe in Georgia, somewhere, USA.

Some of my edited versions.

I zeroed in on what was the most important,
enhanced, colored, smoothed and sharpened but kept colours natural.

I love playing with gradient colours and I really liked this gradient view.

The fountain, red, wild and dead of night.

 

I used to love to play in jets of water but the water jets I knew were coming from the end of a garden hose aimed to get me while running and squealing.  There was a very small park at the end of our street.  It had a very small pool with near freezing cold water as it was filled fresh, early every morning from the cities Artesian Wells water.  Nearing the end of day it warmed from the host of small bodies and a scorching, hot sun.  The spot remains basically as it was, being city property, but the pool and swings are long gone.  I remember it with a tremendous fondness.  From the first to the last day of summer for all of my childhood years I wore a track, walking the street to the park.  I have battle scars to prove my loyalty.  One scar runs across the inside of the insole of my right foot, almost 2 inches long, and the other runs the center front of my skull to the center back of my skull where a swing with its rider knocked me out with a corner blow that opened my head wider than any other outstanding wounds remembered on my street.  Both injuries were bloody bringing out the neighborhood and requiring a doctor’s care and stitches.  They are permanent reminders of the fun I lived through, testimonies to a hazardous yet memorable childhood.

 

Have a super week,
Becca

 

It’s no secret I am one of Harry Potter’s biggest fans.  That being said I have loved many stories written for children or the childlike heart and should clarify my statement as I am not positive the Harry Potter books were written, “only for children”.  I often choose to watch a movie when for some unknown reason a line pops into my head and a line popped in this weekend.  A few very simple words that rang with the voice of the character in the movie and in this case, Squints saying “so he did”.  The movie is, ” The Sandlot“.  I love it and continue to grow in admiration for the story each and every time I watch and I always end up with the same reaction, “this is such a great story / movie”.  I do not own the newest versions and in fact, there is a Sandlot 2 and 3 and I should put them on my list to see.  I have trouble thinking they could compare to the original as it was done so well, the great storyline with each actor for each character, the best of choices.  But then, the story line for 2 and 3 is not the same and it’s unfair of me to be biased by reviews I have read especially when I like sports stories so much.  Back to the original, if you enjoy a good sports / baseball story written for the young at heart and have never seen the original “The Sandlot“, I highly recommend you add it to your “movies to see” list if not for yourself but for your children.  Another movie that comes to mind as a movie great for kids and adults is this one, Dennis The Menace.  IGNORE the data base rating, in my estimation it rates a much higher one and I feel I have a pretty good handle on movie storyline quality and production. Another line that popped in was for “A Beautiful Mind” with Russell Crowe.  I am not sure how many times I have viewed this movie but it is one of the best ever made and a true story.  It was a Best Picture by the way. More on the Bob Hope movies I purchased.    Slapstick is the name of the game in the Hope movies and I have watched all ten I purchased.  Storylines are not the writing type found in today’s movies but this grouping was a worthwhile purchase for several reasons, nostalgia and a look back at some of the most popular actors of the day, ie, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Dorothy Lamour, Jane Russell, Roy Rogers and Trigger, Marilyn Maxwell, Jackie Gleason, Jane Wyman,  Phyllis Diller, Milly Vitale, Rhonda Fleming, Peter Lorre,  Fernandel, and Anita Ekberg. The list of movies included in the package were; “Road to Bali“, “Son of Paleface“, “The Lemon Drop Kid“, “The Private Navy of Sgt O’Farrell“, “the Seven Little Foys“, “The Great Lover“, “Road to Rio“, “My Favorite Brunette“,  ”Paris Holiday” and ”How to Commit Marriage“.  The data base gives the whole group fairly high marks.  I might argue with some of the ratings but then, maybe my funnybone / critique is not what it should be for slapstick.  There are lots of very good Bob Hope lines in all of this list of movies.  Bob Hope will always be remembered as great in the world of comedy and humanitarian aide and this group of movies took me back to another time and place in the industry without which there would be a great void in my life and the lives of millions of Americans.  This movie purchase was therefore, one of the best I have ever made.  I believe the set can be found in stores, Sams or Walmart is a good place to do a search. Company coming, Halie and Mitch are due here this weekend as they travel to his class reunion in Iowa.  They plan on stopping on their way back home also and John and I look forward to both visits, to and from.  My house isn’t neat and clean and will never be again as John and I are not able to do everything needed anymore.  We decided a while back we are no longer spring chickens.  That is the fact in our lives. Not the best photos but out of desperation for something to add to make this post somewhat exciting, another little Redhead I snapped some pics of.  He was of the mischevious type.  I took these a few weeks back at Lake Isabella and put the collage together for my little group of 5, only 3 actives. He was constantly moving and a rock throwing little devil. I never did see anyone with him. I am waiting expectantly for movies, some to replace old tapes and some I have never seen. I am waiting expectantly for two copies of the final Harry Potter book “The Deathly Hallows”.  I ordered this last one in the library binding and in the special edition.  JKRowling will be visiting the United States.  JKR’s open book tour of the US   JK Rowling announced plans today to embark on an “Open Book Tour” of the United States. From her news section: “In October I will be touring the USA for the first time since 2000. The Tour will include four events, three to be held for schoolchildren in Los Angeles, New Orleans and New York City and one event in New York City for any U.S. Harry Potter fan who wins a ticket through a sweepstakes to be held by Scholastic, my US publishers. At each event, I will read from Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final book in the Harry Potter series, answer questions about the entire series, and sign copies of the latest book.” Visit Scholastic’s Potter section beginning July 30th for information on how to enter this sweepstakes and complete rules. I am not a lucky person but I’ll try for that ticket I would love to have one of my books signed.  There are always lots of signed books on EBay.  JKRowling writes most are, counterfeit or forged sigs. That’s it for now. Best regards, Becca

This is an important entry.  I have been reading for quite some time a site passed to me by another Xangan, Periculosus_Z.  The site he sent me is on http://www.carepages.com and the patient is Miles Levin.  You sign up at the site to read, just enter a name and a password.  A little background,  This boy is aged 19, with a hugely inspiring attitude, in spite of a pretty positive assurance he is dying from a rare form of cancer.  Copied in exactly as it was written below, the last two entries from Miles hospital blog, reading them will make this entry self explanatory:  July 09, 2007 at 10:06 AM EDT Many of you have described the trepidation you experience when pulling up my carepage to read a fresh update. Don’t worry, this is a good one. The Sarcoma Foundation of America, an organization advocating for increased funding for sarcoma research and treatment programs, has named me as the recipient of their 2008 Leadership in Courage Award. Here is an excerpt from an email of mine with co-founder Tricia Thorton, describing the award: “The Leadership in Courage Award is the highest award presented by the Sarcoma Foundation of America. It is given annually to a sarcoma patient who, through his or her public or private actions, writings or personal efforts, resulted in the inspiration to other sarcoma patients that they do not have to be physically, emotionally or spiritually defeated by sarcoma or a diagnosis of sarcoma. Previous recipients have included U.S. Senator Mark Pryor, Edward Kennedy, Jr., actor Robert Urich, best-selling author Carole Radziwell, and renowned sarcoma patient rights advocate Rose Burt. The Board of Directors of the SFA all feel Miles Levin’s story of courage and inspiration in his battle with sarcoma makes him an eminently qualified person to receive this award.” They later said they were so pleased I decided to accept the award, which leads me to believe they understood the likelihood that I would decline due to my busy schedule, and my meetings with secret governmental higher-ups. As if. I laughed at their uncertainty because it is truly a flattering, humbling honor. The schedule really is a bit tricky though as they present the award at their annual gala in New York…in June ’08. As I probably won’t be able to accept the award in person, we plan to videotape my acceptance speech and then show that at the gala. My family will be present. So, big news; thankfully of the good variety. I receive my radioactive isotope treatment today. The entire treatment is given in a single dose. It’ll come just in time, too, as the pain (particularly in the tumors on my spine) is escalating. And if you ever doubt my dedication to carepages, I wrote this update with a 103.6 fever. July 09, 2007 at 05:39 PM EDT A REQUEST We need prayer, vigil, meditation, visualization, screaming, bargaining, whatever you do that makes you think you’re having an impact on what manifests on this earth. WE NEED MORE PLATELETS. Not too many….in the neighborhood of 20,000 more will do. (I knew nothing about platetlets – nor wanted to – before all this, and now it’s my sole focus.) We need them by Wednesday 10 am. The preferred next treatment option depends on adequate platelets, and Miles doesn’t have them at the moment. Now that I have your attention, I want to tell you that I couldn’t help but chuckle when the results of his scans – lots of cancer in the bones – came the day after I commented on the fact that Miles has not a mean bone in his body. Some, including Miles, believe that cancer cells do not possess intentionality. Perhaps this is only a case of anthropomorphism when I identify this as more than a coincidence. Is it not true that cancer is (though perhaps not strictly speaking) opportunistic? And, if yes, isn’t there something significant about this irony? Could it be that the cancer that threatens to overtake him found a loophole, a weak link, a sneaky way in? I pride myself on being vigilant where Miles is concerned, trying to remembering every detail, so I’m a little miffed with myself for failing to anticipate this strategy. That’s why I am asking for your help today. I think of Miles now, with bones and bone marrow filled with cancer and the internal organs fairly stable, like the images in a coloring book. Perhaps, in our mental efforts to eradicate, we’ve focused in the inside and not on the dark black outlines. I know I have. Shift your focus please, but not to the point of forgetting about the inside, which could errupt unexpectedly. . It’s a gift, a miracle, a something that his life sustaining organs are, for the moment, protected, but nothing to take for granted, not where rhabdo is involved. We’re dealing with a protean and unpredictable force. I’ve never met a rhabdo cell that I trusted. However, you must have been effective during the last vigil, which pre-dates his celebrity status, as he had a good response to the last intervention, as evidenced by his participation in graduation and prom. Now, there are many more hearts and minds to bring to bear on the task of raising platelet levels in the next 36 hours. There are thousands of people (bless their hearts) who have come to care about and downright love Miles. And so many are asking, what can I do? Well, this is it: imagine more platelets – that’s the first order of business – and vaccuum up those cancer cells that have lodged themselves in the bones and neighboring marrow. (Please empty the bag elsewhere.) I may have told you this before but it’s even more true now: the way I see it, we’re moving through the eye of a needle; there’s no room for error., More platelets. You’d be doing something for Miles and his family who love him, and you may impress the medical field with the power of thought. Enough of “the mom” business……Nancy Sarcoma definition CLICK HERE  Platelet definition from   http://cancerweb.ncl.ac.uk/cgi-bin/omd?platelets:  platelets A particle found in the bloodstream that binds to fibrinogen at the site of a wound to begin the blood clotting process. Platelets are formed in bone marrow, where they arise from cells called megakaryocytes. from  http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=4941:  Definition of Platelet Platelet: An irregular, disc-shaped element in the blood that assists in blood clotting. During normal blood clotting, the platelets clump together (aggregate). Although platelets are often classed as blood cells, they are actually fragments of large bone marrow cells called megakaryocytes. AN ARTICLE ABOUT Blood platelet regeneration:  http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=463638 Please pray and best regards, Becca

Eden’s trip, visit Halie’s site as she has photos and more.  I won’t copy in this time, I know duplications get tiresome.

I’m a bit worn down, not much to say right now.  One big 4th of July here, it will be a forever memory.

Some of my favorite photos in Miniature Combo’s

see it full size, CLICK HERE

see it full size, CLICK HERE

 

 

Wishing everyone a really good week,

Becca

 

 

Past time, a-g-a-i-n, for another entry. 

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Have A Safe and Festive
4th of July, Xanga

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This is a travel poster I designed for a challenge our small group was given.  It just felt like the 4th displaying bits and pieces of Ohio.  The Blues Brother is a photo taken of a decorator piece that was on display at a local restaurant.  

A 4th of July desktop.  Right click on the above pic for the 800 x 600

CLICK HERE for the 1024 x 768

I am looking forward to the 4th.  I hope to take some new photos and enjoy a picnic.  The most exciting thing I am doing lately, includes move.  Good move-ies and moving furniture and move-s to whatever part of the house I need to move to.  Our house is too small and how that happened is a question as we did have a family of four here plus room for company.  I need to trash what doesn’t matter. 

Halie and her other half are traveling to his class reunion in Iowa.  I want to send some things home with them including a fouton sofa.  They are driving a Volvo.  I think the car won’t carry a sofa.  I had high hopes.

BOB HOPE MOVIES:  See info on Bob Hope accomplishments HERE.  See a biography HERE.  VERY SHORT AND SWEET INFO:  born May 1903, died July 2003, with his beginnings in Vaudeville he graduated to MOVIES from the 1930′s until the 1980′s acting in 77 movies.

Update on a Bob Hope DVD order “The Ultimate Bob Hope Collection” DVD’s, I placed with Publishers Clearing House. 

1- order placed 5/29/2007 arrived 6/29/2007
2- the original order form listed this amount $24.99 with payments divided into 4 parts.  On arrival an additional shipping charge $6.99 was added in.
3- The order page details were 10 disks, 10 movies.  The movies came on 5 disks double sided.
4- I really like upfront, exacting details for a purchase so I am not completely happy.  I will be very careful with orders placed and do some print screening of details. The disks as the are double sided are difficult to read the title text, naturally.  The digital editing seems good, they are decent reproductions of the originals.  Still a good deal as it is 10 movies my cost going from $2.50 per movie to $3.20 per movie and divide that by two = $1.60 per person to watch and that is cheaper than we could purchase a ticket.  Now take into account what a ticket would have cost me at the Emery Theater as a kid, per ticket =50 cents.  AMAZING what reading a few numbers can do to your sensibilities.   

Getting past the garbage’, the movies are there, all ten of them and they are fun to watch, nostalgic and interesting to notice the difference between movies made today and earlier in the industry meaning 1947 – 1969 for the movies I received.  We have watched 4 and one includes Roy Rogers which turned out to be interesting and another with a scene that included shaving off an eyebrow, Halie are you reading?  ANOTHER INTERESTING MOVIE SITE:  CLICK HERE

The weekly photo challenge, I have returned to playing with my photos on my PhotoGraphics site.  There challenge is a nice way to display your photos and see other’s photos as well.  If you like photography digital or otherwise you might be interested.  No membership required, just play.  GO HERE for the challenge and jump right in.  The list of people who have accepted this week’s challenge is in the current entries comments.

I need a background script, for comments left in Xanga guestbooks.  I am able to put a background behind comments left for blog entries but I really need something for the guestbooks.  My busy graphics don’t handle comments well.  If anyone knows of a script and could lead me to it I would appreciate the information.

Eden is home from her Student Leadership conference.  She is tired but had a wonderful time (life changing according to what she told her mom) and was reluctant to leave as were the others attending.  It had to be quite something from what I have heard, so far and once again TIME FLEW.

Stay upbeat and remember our men and women who serve.  See helpful links to the left side of my page or visit Xangan USA_Troops_Aide.

HAVE A SUPER 4TH OF JULY

Becca