Fun Friday (Part 4)

[Amethyst]

@georgia

It surprised us both, and just happened to be covered in fresh ink.

Owie. I had a pencil stuck in my leg once so I know that had to hurt!

@georgia

Someone had asked me to share pics of the east side of the Sandia Mountains.

Wow. Lovely mountains! So different than the ones we have here!

[Feathertip]

@Amethyst

I like them in theory, but nope, no tats. I’m not brave enough to be poked like that. LOL!

Same here! I’m pretty stoic with injections and blood draws (having been an MA for 6 years), but all that painstaking precision… doesn’t seem worth it. That’s a lot of ow’s.

@Amethyst

In a cake. Seriously, I can eat eggs in cakes, breads, and cookies, but just scrambled or fried eggs? Makes me sick.

Ah, I do get it - a lot of people are turned off by eggs! But you do appreciate them as binders and adding richness and all that in recipes.

I’m so different. In addition to breakfast style cooking, I love custards and quiches, deviled eggs, egg salad - somehow along the way I’ve turned into this eggy girl. No idea why.

@Amethyst

I’m still put out that my blue fluffy chair didn’t work out. I’ll be pouting about that for a bit, because I liked the look of it!

Man - I feel for you! You were so excited to get it, and the way you described it seemed like it was going to be perfect! It’s a letdown. And they were jerking you around about the return. The whole thing became annoying. Pout away!

@Amethyst

One time I was having a lot of depression. And at the time I had like, the first thirty Xanth books in files. I read like, twenty-five of them before the puns got to be too much for me.

But it sounds like it worked! That’s a great ritual in my opinion!

@Amethyst

Good luck, dear heart! I’d say that it can’t get worse, but I don’t want to jinx you.

Thank you.

[Feathertip]

@georgia

When I lifted my arm, one of the pens was sticking in my skin. It surprised us both, and just happened to be covered in fresh ink.

That’s terrible. I recall lectures about safety in grade school, and not sticking one another with sharp pencils and pens was at the top of the list. Hope the little bully learned from that.

@georgia

I’m allergic to eggs.

Yep, that’s not uncommon. No flu shots for you, then - it’s something we all get asked before getting one, because it can lead to serious side effects.

@georgia

Someone had asked me to share pics of the east side of the Sandia Mountains.

What a beautiful drive! Thanks for sharing these pictures! The mountains are amazing, and the rain must have felt wonderful.

A trip into Nature or a fur-fix both sound like fantastic stress reducers! As I mentioned, just brushing my cat can work for me!

[Moonbeam]

@Feathertip

Happy Saturday great answers everyone.

@Feathertip

1. Do you like tattoos? Do you have any! If so, show us your tats! (If appropriate for our friendly forum.) How did you come about getting your favorite tattoo?

   Some of them are really beautiful if they are small and on the body somewhere discreet. I don’t really like sleeves on arms or legs and definitely not on the knuckles, face or neck. Every summer whilst on Holiday in Greece I used to have a Henna Moon Design done at the bottom of my back, they lasted a couple of months. The trouble is that there are so many really good designs and I could not come down on one as you have to be sure so never committed. In the UK there is a saying once you have one people usually get another and it is called Addictive to Ink I think that is why people end up with sleeves etc. You said that you were also tempted to have one on your ankle. I have heard that area is particularly painful as the skin is so thin. You were right to chicken out.

   I do have my navel pierced as I am allergic it must be solid gold.

   

2. How do you like your eggs cooked?

   I like them cooked any way so no preference really. I am sorry in advance but I have to ask which came first the chicken or the

3. We’re halfway through July - how is the month going for you so far?

   @Feathertip

   That’s just the weather-related stuff. I’m waiting to push through other things. I’m hoping the latter half of the month feels kinder.

   Reading your answer it has been one thing after another. I have counted 3 so hopefully that is it you have half your share. Keep positive if you can.

   A busy one, finished the outside maintenance, got a new puppy Summer she is 9 week old today. I have been off this week so that has been great and with the weather so good I got a tan so very pleased with that. Trying not to think about going back next Monday but I am only in 3 days and then weather is holding for another week low 20’s and partly cloudy but still will be able to be in my gardens. So far July has been good to me.

4. Do you regularly balance your checkbook?

   Yes absolutely we both have our own personal accounts which our salary going into and then we have set up standing orders that go into a joint account which all bills, shopping, all health care payments ie, dental. We have a standing order from the joint into a savings and each have an ISA. We still have money in our personal accounts which we use for whatever we want. I think it is important to have some money of your own. If we do run short we can both use the joint but that is extremely rare. It works for us.

5. What’s your favourite ritual or spell for reducing stress?

   @Feathertip

   I also find brushing my cat very soothing, for both of us. She stretches and purrs and relaxes, and it turns into a sweet quiet time.

   I don’t really have a ritual or meditate. I just step outside and take 3 long deep breaths look around take everything in and I feel more at ease. Also I agree with you that when I come in from work after a stressful day and my dogs come to greet me I start to relax as they are weaving between my legs and getting under my feet probably thinking I have brought them something a great stress reliever

Brightness Blessings have a wonderful weekend everyone

[Amethyst]

@Feathertip

And they were jerking you around about the return. The whole thing became annoying. Pout away!

I ended up selling it to Jessie. She liked it and could sit in it, and I didn’t have to worry about getting it in a box and shipped! Win-win!

@Feathertip

That’s a great ritual in my opinion!

It’s difficult to be depressed while reading about boys fainting when they see panties!

[Feathertip]

I’m sorry, Moonbeam - I could have sworn I answered you already!

@Feathertip

1. Every summer whilst on Holiday in Greece I used to have a Henna Moon Design done at the bottom of my back, they lasted a couple of months.

This is a great compromise! You can wear it for a season but know it’s nothing permanent. All the fun but none of the lifetime of looking at it.

@Feathertip

1. You said that you were also tempted to have one on your ankle. I have heard that area is particularly painful as the skin is so thin. You were right to chicken out.

I didn’t know that! But looking at that skin it does seem thinner at the ankle. Eeek! I would have cried like a baby.

Your navel pendent is beautiful!

@Feathertip

2. am sorry in advance but I have to ask which came first the chicken or the

Well, someone had to ask!

@Feathertip

3. new puppy Summer she is 9 week old today. I have been off this week so that has been great and with the weather so good

It sounds like it’s been a wonderful time off, at home with the new puppy. You’re doing the right thing by giving her this extra special time in her new home.

@Feathertip

5. I don’t really have a ritual or meditate. I just step outside and take 3 long deep breaths look around take everything in and I feel more at ease. Also I agree with you that when I come in from work after a stressful day and my dogs come to greet me

Part of why I love my garden is that it’s so beautiful and serene to look at - and yours is, too. Our pets are always great for soothing our souls and showering us with love, aren’t they?

[Feathertip]

@Amethyst

I ended up selling it to Jessie. She liked it and could sit in it, and I didn’t have to worry about getting it in a box and shipped! Win-win!

Definitely! It’s perfect for her and you got your money back. I call that a win-win, too.

@Amethyst

It’s difficult to be depressed while reading about boys fainting when they see panties!

[Amethyst]

@Feathertip

It’s called The Adult Conspiracy, and the kids can’t learn about what goes on behind closed doors until they are adults. That includes seeing someone’s panties. It’s a common theme in the books, along with many, many, many bad puns. They’re fun!

[Feathertip]

Bad puns are always fun - even when they make you groan, you’re still laughing.

[georgia]

@Feathertip

2. which came first the chicken or the

The egg, of course! Don’t forget dinosaurs and fish laid eggs long before the dinos morphed into birds! I get told often that my idea doesn’t count, but it works for me.

[Amethyst]

@Feathertip

Bad puns are always fun - even when they make you groan, you’re still laughing.

So true! They’re like Dad jokes: funny but not really welcome after too long.

[Feathertip]

Well looky here - it’s Friday again, and I’m here (with bandaged knees) ready for another round of Fun Friday! I’m very happy to be here standing upright.

Here are this week’s questions:

It’s National Drive-Thru Day! Having grown up in an era that already had the drive-thru window service just about everywhere, it’s hard to imagine life without it. From drive-through banking, to pharmacies, to fast food, drive thru service has become a staple in modern life.

1. What drive-thru services do you use the most? Do you like it, or do you prefer to park and go into the store or bank most of the time?

2. Do you use syrup on your pancakes/waffles? What’s your favorite kind?

3. Do you ever have insomnia? If so, what do you do to combat it?

4. Have you ever watched The Twilight Zone? If so, do you have a favorite episode?

5. What’s the latest item (or found treasure) you’ve acquired for your practice?

Having just returned from a combined doctor’s office visit/errands, it’s time for me to go put ice on the knees. BUT - I’ll be back later with my own answers (have to ponder on #4 awhile) and check in.

Have fun!!

[dan3]

I’m chuckling at the image of a woman with white knee pads. It is funny in abstract but not in reality. I’m so glad you were able to get through it all. No drive-thru for that, I bet.

1. What drive-thru services do you use the most? Do you like it, or do you prefer to park and go into the store or bank most of the time?

Banks never. Just don’t like it now that they’ve started video screens instead of people. The person in the video can be anywhere. Just makes me feel yucky.

Food drive-thru is great except we have some pretty basic servers here and it is necessary to go through what you bought to see if it is all there.

Prescription drive-thru is OK though I am currently in prescription hell and need to get clarification on some things so I don’t use the drive-thru for those cases.

2. Do you use syrup on your pancakes/waffles? What’s your favorite kind?

Always but sometimes I use fruit syrup (blueberry is a frequent choice). I use the no sugar versions usually.

3. Do you ever have insomnia? If so, what do you do to combat it?

Melatonin - but when that is not working, I just get up and drink coffee and read a book. It may be a few hours but I’ll zonk out. Meditation helps, too but it isn’t a cure all for me. When life hands the football to you upside down - rip the seams (meant to say don’t struggle, be proactive).

4. Have you ever watched The Twilight Zone? If so, do you have a favorite episode?

The book worm after the apocalypse who breaks his glasses. The nice looking woman we learn is in another dimension and is being operated on by duck faced people so she isn’t as ugly. The image on the airplane wing. I love the appearance of young actors who went on to have great success. Some are really good but I’ve found when re-watching them I’m not as taken with them.

5. What’s the latest item (or found treasure) you’ve acquired for your practice?

My path isn’t as much about physical things. I started out collecting everything but most of it is in boxes in the basement. So the discoveries are all about information and understanding. With that, I find something frequently. Finding there were “World Trees” in most religions was the latest. It got me digging more and more.

[Amethyst]

@Feathertip

1. What drive-thru services do you use the most? Do you like it, or do you prefer to park and go into the store or bank most of the time?

I don’t know; I don’t drive anymore, so when I go with someone, if I go to a drive-thru, it’s usually a food place. Of course it doesn’t help that my local bank doesn’t have a drive-thru. I mostly order in, but I’d rather do drive-thru than walk in given the chance.

@Feathertip

2. Do you use syrup on your pancakes/waffles? What’s your favorite kind?

Maple, of course! Followed by butter pecan and blueberry! I used to love going to the Pancake House and getting a plate of silver dollar pancakes and having a bit of each syrup on each one. My Daddy, on the other hand, was weird. He liked butter and cinnamon sugar on them. Or jelly!

@Feathertip

3. Do you ever have insomnia? If so, what do you do to combat it?

YES! I woke up at 1:37 am and could not go back to sleep. At all! Not even for a nap this afternoon! I take a sleeping med, but only like, a fourth of a pill otherwise, I don’t wake up for three days. I can’t seem to find a happy middle.

@Feathertip

4. Have you ever watched The Twilight Zone? If so, do you have a favorite episode?

Yeppers. While I want to be cliché and say Time Enough to Last or The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street, and those two are in my top three, I like The Night of the Meek. It’s about this drunk Santa who finds a bag and is suddenly able to give perfect presents to anyone until midnight, when the bag is finally empty. One of the other men who got a present noticed that the old Santa didn’t get a present. He says, “I think I’d wish I could do this every year.”

Then he goes to put the bag back where he found it. He goes to the alley and finds a sleigh with reindeer! And an elf to help him drive!

And of course, it ends with this: A word to the wise to all the children of the twentieth century, whether their concern be pediatrics or geriatrics, whether they crawl on hands and knees and wear diapers or walk with a cane and comb their beards. There’s a wondrous magic to Christmas, and there’s a special power reserved for little people. In short, there’s nothing mightier than the meek. And a Merry Christmas to each and all.

I truly believe that we need another Rod Sterling in this day and age. He had just a knack of teaching lessons without you noticing.

@Feathertip

5. What’s the latest item (or found treasure) you’ve acquired for your practice?

Does a digital book count? This month alone I’ve got: The Mindful Hearth - Earth Magic for Urban Spaces and Shared Rooms, The Book of Halloween: Origin, Practices & Beliefs, and Witchcraft Activism: A Toolkit for Magical Resistance (Includes Spells for Social Justice, Civil Rights, the Environment, and More).

I also got a book How to Survive in Medieval England. Not sure if that’ll help me with my practice, but it looks fun, and hey, it might help in a Zombie Apocalypse too!

@dan3

The nice looking woman we learn is in another dimension and is being operated on by duck faced people so she isn’t as ugly.

That one’s a good one too! And the one where the old man is dying and making his family wear masks at New Year’s!

[georgia]

@Feathertip

1. What drive-thru services do you use the most?

I had to rethink this one. Sonic used to be a drive in, order at a plastic menu sign with a walkie talkie attached, and a car hop delivers a brontosaurus rib tray big enough to tip the car! Flintstones. They don’t hire enough car hops anymore, so I have to do Happy Hour Route 44 drinks at the drive thru. I get more exercise if I go into most places, and I can pick out the best quality for myself and do a bit of impulse shopping at the same time.

@Feathertip

2. Do you use syrup on your pancakes

If I make them myself, all I need is butter because I use lots of chocolate chips. I miss lingonberry butter at IHOP. Otherwise, I did enjoy strawberry syrup on occasion.

@Feathertip

3. Do you ever have insomnia?

I’m getting to the point of needing to ask the definition of insomnia. My current pattern is 4 1/2 hours at night, 4 1/2 hours during the day. It’s still 9 hours, just split. There are times when I go through a pattern of only needing 6 hours. I don’t combat these oddities. I have the good luck of being able to listen to my body and spend my quiet hours doing something other than turning on lights or making noise. The patterns change eventually. Besides, 2-4 am is perfect for doing yoga! I don’t feel like I’m in a fish bowl with strangers walking past my windows, looking in.

@Feathertip

4. Have you ever watched The Twilight Zone?

I recently watched Season 1 of the 2022 series. The original 1950’s- 60’s series is still the best. Though I did enjoy Blurry Man (a worker on the set of the newest series finds herself really in the Twilight Zone until she faces her fear and is welcomed to the Universe). In my youth, I was torn between Time Enough at Last (book reader after a nuclear blast) and Is Anybody There (visiting a town with everything available, but no people).

Then there was the helpful woman lying in a cold, dark garret who is visited by a handsome young man who is kind enough to listen to her life story and turns out to be the Angel of Death. Gentle crossing. I’ve collected lots of that type of movie.

I don’t especially like the Twilight Zone, which is odd. I crave it occasionally, but the second I spend the cash and sit down with it, they really are scary! I really am better off with kids movies or musicals. Then again Sparrows and Amazons can get pretty intense, as can the Singing Detective.

@Feathertip

5. What’s the latest item (or found treasure) you’ve acquired for your practice?

I think the base crystal is Amazonite for luck. The only one I don’t know is the mini green one for the heart chakra.

@Amethyst

He liked butter and cinnamon sugar on them.

Mmmm that sounds good.

@Amethyst

suddenly able to give perfect presents to anyone until midnight

Oh! That is a good one, too! If I could paraphrase the Wizard of Oz, I don’t think you’ll find anything in that bag for me.

@Amethyst

And the one where the old man is dying and making his family wear masks at New Year’s!

What would your mask be? Mine would probably look like Draco: “I only chewed in self defense.”

[dan3]

@georgia

look like Draco: “I only chewed in self defense.”

That gave me a chuckle.

[Amethyst]

@georgia

I’m getting to the point of needing to ask the definition of insomnia. My current pattern is 4 1/2 hours at night, 4 1/2 hours during the day. It’s still 9 hours, just split.

You’re not the only one!

@georgia

What would your mask be? Mine would probably look like Draco: “I only chewed in self defense.”

These were not pretty masks! They were like a pig and gargoyle faces type of mask.

[georgia]

@Amethyst

These were not pretty masks!

I remember. They also perfectly reflected the wearer’s inner personality. I have difficulty picking one because I see my moods more than my overall personality.

[Moonbeam]

@Feathertip

Happy Saturday everyone hoping you are all having a good weekend

@Feathertip

and I’m here (with bandaged knees) ready

You are trooper glad it went well and you are now on the road to recovery. Now is a good time to be waited on hand and knees!

Here are my answers

@Feathertip

1. What drive-thru services do you use the most? Do you like it, or do you prefer to park and go into the store or bank most of the time?

   I have never heard of a drive-through bank or a prescription service. We have a home delivery service or a collection point directly outside the pharmacy where they text you a PIN number no banks.

   I would not use them for grocery shopping as I prefer to go into store to pick my own products and produce.

   The only ones I use occasionally is Starbucks, Costa Coffee and Burger King.

2. Do you use syrup on your pancakes/waffles? What’s your favorite kind?

   Yes definitely Maple Syrup on Pancakes, I would have a waffle with fresh fruit, biscuit crumb, drizzled with white, milk and dark chocolate and ice cream.

3. Do you ever have insomnia? If so, what do you do to combat it?

   Most nights. I seem to wake every 2 hours. I have an Apple Watch that tracks my sleep my average over the last month was 5hr 50 mins. If I cannot settle I get up and go downstairs sit in my garden for a little while (if it not raining) or just sit quietly on the sofa with no lights and then go back to bed. I might have a drink of my Moon Water if I am thirsty.

4. Have you ever watched The Twilight Zone? If so, do you have a favorite episode?

   I have heard of it but have not watched any episodes.

5. What’s the latest item (or found treasure) you’ve acquired for your practice?

   my path does not really require anything. However, my wand found me so that is important to me. My Nana did do Tasseography so I brought a set for one of my Challenge Entries. I will be using it on the first of the month as it will be fun to do with the benefit of having a good cup of tea. As my path is strongly aligned to the Moon, the Elements, Anglo-Saxon Forklore Magic and there are similarities between a Hedge Witch and Sea Witch so I do have lengths of cotton for my knot magic and weather which I do enjoy as my heritage is Lancashire, Scottish Highlands (McDonald Clan), Devon & Cornwall which are by the sea.

   I do have a few candles for the Thursday’s Tea Ritual and the Sabbats and I just cut any fresh herbs from my garden.

   I have recently purchased a Moonstone Pendulum and board as I just used a needle and thread but wanted more guidance from my Ancestors if I need to. Not used it yet so will have to establish communication with it first.

   I don’t have any books, physical card decks or a permanent altar.

With love and light

[Feathertip]

@dan3

I’m chuckling at the image of a woman with white knee pads. It is funny in abstract but not in reality. I’m so glad you were able to get through it all. No drive-thru for that, I bet.

Thank you! It’s okay to laugh, I laugh at the images of myself while dealing with all of it!

@dan3

Food drive-thru is great except we have some pretty basic servers here and it is necessary to go through what you bought to see if it is all there.

Same here. They get busy, and so often hire younger workers whose minds just might not be on the details.

@dan3

When life hands the football to you upside down - rip the seams (meant to say don’t struggle, be proactive).

I can honestly say I’ve never heard of this particular pithy phrase. A Dan Original?

@dan3

The book worm after the apocalypse who breaks his glasses. The nice looking woman we learn is in another dimension and is being operated on by duck faced people so she isn’t as ugly. The image on the airplane wing. I love the appearance of young actors who went on to have great success. Some are really good but I’ve found when re-watching them I’m not as taken with them.

Those are all great episodes!! It’s a very young William Shatner being terrorized by the ghoul/zombie on the plane wing in the storm. Hilarious!

@dan3

My path isn’t as much about physical things. I started out collecting everything but most of it is in boxes in the basement.

I can appreciate that!