HF#71 - 2008 NY US Open Tennis Reflections

Make Time for Small Reflections

5:50am
Sipping coffee ... hoping the
cobwebs in my mind

will soon disappear
giving way to a
creative idea.

Novak Djokovic
played a top-notch match last night.
Andy Roddick seemed

'off' ... even though he
raised his game mid-match and pushed
back ... creating hope

we would see 5 sets.
Serving at 5-3 ... he dropped
serve as he had done

three times in set 1 ...
and (although it went
to a 4th set tie-break), he

couldn't regain his
momentum ... and now
just 4 men are left.

Murray plays Nadal
Djokovic plays Federer ...
if 'weather' does not

disrupt play in these
semi-finals Saturday.
(Hannah's moving North)

Today the women's
semi-final matches are
scheduled to be played.

Serena against
'Safin's little sister' ... whose
name is Dinara.

Dimentieva
battles against Jankovic.
Both matches could be

close and fun to watch
but most likely won't compare
to the match between

the Williams sisters
Wednesday night on Center Court.
What a match THAT was!!!

Venus - 10 'set points'
unable to make 1 stick ...
Serena covered

the whole court ... running
like the wind from side to side
... astonishing shots!

If rain delays halt
play this weekend, I suspect
it will 'air' again.
Photo source: Yahoo Sports
Click for Sky Watch #10 and Haiku Friday #70 at Sacred Ruminations
'PSE Filter Experimentations: One view ... seven possibilities'

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story.

(To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Thought for Today
"With extraordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable." Thomas Foxwell Buxton

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

T-13 #38 - Photographs of Horses

Make Time for Small Reflections
If time permits, check out my Whimsical Wednesday
Blog Survey & Awards in the post below this one.12 Arabian Horse Photographs from Flickzzz
and a 'Stranded' Horse Herd from National Geographic

Collaged with Photoshop Elements
by Yours Truly ;--)

Belated addendum (in response to a number of comments left by visitors): I found this photo of 'stranded horses' at National Geographic a while back when looking for an idea for One Single Impression’s Week 6 prompt. This herd of about 100 horses were stranded for three days in the Netherlands on October 31, 2006 … all but 19 were rescued successfully on November 3rd.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the Thursday Thirteen Blogroll at My Blog Rolls.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Freedom is the oxygen of the soul." Moshe Dayan

Whimsical Wednesday #3 - Blog Comment Survey and additional awards to acknowledge & share

Make Time for Small Reflections

I found this set of questions at Tammy's of Mom Knows Everything a couple of weeks ago and saved it in my 'drafts' folder' thinking it might make a fun and interesting post. Today seems like a good day to combine the survey with some awards ... just because. I hope at least some of you passing by will decide to share your thoughts either here (in comments) or on your own blog ... (leaving a link here so I can read you answers) ... and invite others to join the conversation as well. It reminds me of Rebecca's question a while back, encouraging others to share Why I Blog.

Tammy wrote: "My blogging buddy Melinda was wondering about blog comments and how we respond to them and she asked the following questions."

1. How many blogs do you comment on each week?
It varies depending on what's happening in my life, but I've got 330 'categorized' blogs and 2 'mega feeds' (Blog 365 and One Single Impression) in my 'reader' ... so I usually have 350-700 new posts listed daily. I do most of my reading within the reader itself to maximize the use of my time ... and for the most part, those who include the entire post there (as I do) definitely get my attention over those who list just a title or an 'abbreviated' tidbit (because it takes me less time to catch up) unless you've become a 'Virtual friend' and therefore a 'daily read' as time permits.

2. Do you comment on the same blogs routinely?
Not necessarily ... (see #3).

3. Do you comment just to comment are do you comment with the expectations that the blog owner will visit your blog as well? Generally, I comment when I have something to say ... and I often leave a single comment about several posts at a time ... especially when crunched for time. Of course it's nice to receive a visit in return, but that's not my primary motivation for commenting. I simply enjoy the 'virtual interaction' ... yet with that said, when participating in a 'Weekly Activity' like HoTs, WW, T-13, HF, PH, SWF, OSI, CC, UM etc ... I try to remember to let folks know on which of my 3 blogs I've participated so that potential visitors won't need to spend time searching posts out ... and I appreciate it when those with multiple linked blogs like me to direct ME in this way too.

4. How would you like the blog owner to respond to your comment, if at all? However they choose. My email is available on my Blogger Profile, and I always check the little box to receive follow-up comments in email when it's available. Interestingly, those who have made the Blogger change (like Hootin' Anni) to put the comments 'in line' don't HAVE a little box TO check any longer. I just don't have time to check back on previous posts because I've been seriously behind for months now.

5. How many comments would you say you got (on average) in your last 5 posts? It depends ... varying greatly (from 20-45 or 6-15) ... depending perhaps on whether or not I've joined a 'Weekly Activity' (see #3 above) or am simply posting as I am today ... sharing whatever I choose.

6. Do you respond to your comments?
Yes. I prefer to leave 'individual' responses to all who comment here ... but when crunched for time I occasionally leave 'group responses' as time permits.

7. How do you respond, within that post or via email or some other way? If someone asks a specific question and/or I have something specific to say ... (and their email is available) ... I send messages directly in email as time permits ... sometimes quite belatedly when I fall behind. When questions are asked w/o making email available, I do my best to leave the answer in a comment on the other person's blog ... but I know that some things fall through the cracks occasionally.

8. [If you don't respond to comments] Why not? N/A

Your turn: I would be interested in seeing how you respond to these questions ... either here in comments or leave me a link when you share on your own blog. Just to make it easier I've included a set of questions w/o answers for your use, and I've added an incentive below.

1. How many blogs do you comment on each week?
2. Do you comment on the same blogs routinely?
3. Do you comment just to comment are do you comment with the expectations that the blog owner will visit your blog as well?
4. How would you like the blog owner to respond to your comment, if at all?
5. How many comments would you say you got (on average) in your last 5 posts?
6. Do you respond to your comments?
7. How do you respond, within that post or via email or some other way?
8. [If you don't respond to comments] Why not?

I'd like to acknowledge, accept, and share
the following awards with gratitude.

Thanks to Ivanhoe
for this colorful award.
I offer it as an incentive to anyone who decides to
participate in the Blog Comment Survey
either here or on their own blog.

Ivanhoe also blessed Small Reflections with this one
and Mike Golch presented it to Sacred Ruminations
where I shared it mid-July.

I'd like to share it (and the ones below)
with everyone on any of my Blogrolls
and all those I visit regularly

(Come on ... you know who you are)

Mary (of Mary's Writing Nook) bestowed
this 'friendship award' to storyteller (that's me)

but I've forgotten who gave me this one ...

so please help me remember so I can add a link.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
Another 'repeat' ... but I couldn't resist for some reason.
"God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used
one to say 'thank you' ...?" William A. Ward

Ruby Tuesday #2 and an award to share ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

If you're looking for Fun Monday, it's just below this one.
This is my 2nd ...

My new little red cell phone with

Molly's photo outside and Ms. Kitty's inside

a few fresh strawberries from my garden ... yum ;--)

some members of the Red Hat Society ...

Click for others participating in Ruby Tuesday this week.
~ ~ ~

Kitten of Kitten's Homeschool
gave me THIS award for Small Reflections today.

I apologize for not following 'the rulez' ...
(I've never been too good at that)
I'd like to share it with everyone on any
of my Blogrolls and all those I visit regularly
(Come on ... you know who you are)
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
Yez ... I've shared this one before, but it bears repetition ... just because.
"To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting." e. e. cummings, 1955

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I know this isn't RED ... and
I have no clue who gave me this 'kitty' ... but I love it!
Whoever leaves me a comment below
is welcome to 'snag' & share it
with my gratitude ...

for comments ALWAYS make me smile ;--)

Fun Monday #21 - My blogging spaces ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

Gattina of Writer Cramps
is hosting Fun Monday this week and writes:

"As I am a very curious person, I just want you to show us a picture of your blogging place ... your room or bed or whatever space(s) or places(s) you have to write your posts."

My favorite 'blogging space' is outside on my patio ... in the company of Ms. Kitty OR Molly (if you look closely at the large photo you'll see her head next to the chair closest to the open door), but never both since they don't really enjoy the company of one another. I blog here in the early morning (before the sun overtakes the patio and creates too much glare to read the screen) ... and in the late afternoon/early evening when shade returns. Notice my lime tree providing the shade has tons of ripened fruit. Fortunately there's an electrical outlet just behind the blue chairs for when I need a 'charge' ...

My 'inside space' looks much like this (though a bit more cluttered at the moment) ... with two major changes ... my new (more comfortable) black office chair (shown lower right) ... and my Dell Inspiron 1720 (running Vista) that now sits to the right of the older Dell Inspiron 9100 (running XP) because I use both currently.

Once I 'declutter & simplify' my workspace, I plan to replace the three folding tables with 'real' office furniture with storage space. Until then, the plastic and cardboard file containers will have to suffice. Of course, a pillow for Molly at my feet will remain (see top left photo of lower collage ... it's almost the same color as the floor, but it's there).

Click for others participating in Fun Monday today.
Next week's host is Woodlandmama.

Thought for Today
"There's nothing like staying at home for real comfort." Jane Austen

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Camera Critters #23 ... UM#21... and more

Make Time for Small Reflections
Scroll down for Unconscious Mutterings ...
and Weekend Whimsies along with
some TENNIS updates & info.

This is my 23rdMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:

Introductory Information
I tried to upload this a couple of weeks ago w/o success,
but it looks like Blogger's cooperating today ...
so I present this brief video I call

Ms. Kitty can drive Molly nutz ...

Click for others participating in Camera Critters this week.

I'm participating for the 20th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?

If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Groceries :: Trader Joes and Whole Foods ... (formerly known as Wild Oats)
   
2. Deodorant :: Arm and Hammer unscented
   
3. Psychic :: Extra Sensory Perception
   
4. Cherries :: Bing
   
5. Spooky :: uncomfortably strange or weird
   
6. Yogurt :: Yoplait and Activa
   
7. Kitchen :: appliances (is what my fingers typed ... though SINK came to mind first)
   
8. Nothing personal :: what some people say after they've made a 'personal jab' at someone else
   
9. Be nice :: what I was raised to be
   
10. Delivery :: Special
    

Your turn: I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Groceries ::
2. Deodorant ::
3. Psychic ::
4. Cherries ::
5. Spooky ::
6. Yogurt ::
7. Kitchen ::
8. Nothing personal ::
9. Be nice ::
10. Delivery ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.
This is my 2nd

I found this meme at Yertle's (of Smile, Play, Dream) a few weeks ago, and decided to play for the first time last week. It seems that Kat at Sunshine and Lemonade started the ball rolling when she decided to change Friday Follies (a meme I'd never seen previously) to a 'weekend' activity. I didn't SEE a 'logo' ... so I created a 'whimsical' one of my own ... just because. I played for the 1st time on the 2nd week of this meme's existence and invite YOU to play along if you choose either below in comments or on your own blog ... leaving a link here so I can read your responses too.

Are you a pack-rat or a purger? Sigh ... I'm a 'recovering' pack-rat ... trying to 'declutter & simplify' my surroundings ... making progress ... S L O W L Y.

Life of the party or wallflower? Neither actually ...

How much sleep do you get each night? How much do you need to feel rested? Once upon a time I needed 8-9 hours of sleep to feel rested, but since I've retired I need less ... more like 7-8 hours per night.

What is your comfort food? I'm not sure I have just one ... but 'crunchy' snacks take precedence over sweets as a general rule.

Are you early, late, or on time? I'm usually early.

When you need to talk with someone do you do it by phone or by email? Definitely by phone ... often to arrange to actually MEET somewhere to do something together if possible.

Who's your favorite talk show host? Once upon a time it was Phil Donohue ... later Oprah, though it took a while for me to 'warm up' to her initially. These days I don't watch much TV and have no favorite 'talk show' ... though I occasionally catch 'The View' while working out at the gym.

What is your favorite place to take out of town guests? Um ... out of town what???

What is the worst movie you've ever seen? The War of the Roses ... I actually walked out of the theater in disgust.

Have you ever had jury duty? Were you picked for a trial? I've had Jury Duty MANY times ... and yez ... I've served on several jury trials.

Click for others participating in Weekend Whimsies.

The TENNIS has been EXCITING this year
at the US Open Championships

If you've not watched tennis recently (and you've got some time on your hands this weekend), I encourage you to check out the daytime 'tennis' coverage on Channel 2 and the evening broadcasts on USA. There are some AMAZING YOUNG players on the men's side of the draw making history this past week, and the American's ... Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish (who took out James Blake last night in a spectacular display of skills), & Sam Querrey ... are into the Round of 16s ... as are Serena and Venus Williams who are playing like the champions we know them to be. It's unfortunate that the sisters are in the same section of the draw and will meet in the Quarters rather than the Finals ... but if they both win their next matches ... that should be a match to remember!

Kei Nishikori (ranked #126 at the age of 18) is the first Japanese man to reach the fourth round of the US Open ... upsetting David Ferrer (#4 in the world) in an exciting 5 setter last night ... 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5. He's the youngest man to get this far in the US Open since Marat Safin did it in 1998 and the youngest man to beat one of the top four 'seeded' players in this 'hard-court' New York Championship Tournament since Bjorn Born (at the age of 17) upset Arthur Ashe (#3 seed) in 1973.

Three more 5-set men's matches riveted crowds yesterday:
Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina (#17 seed) edged out Gilles Simon of France (#16 seed) ... 6-4, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Andy Murray of Great Britain (#6 seed) squeaked by after losing the first two sets 6-7 and 4-6 to Jurgen Melzer of Austria (unseeded player seeking an upset) ... winning the match 7-6, 6-1, 6-3. Swiss (#10) Stan Wawrinka lost the first two sets to Flavio Cippolla (unseeded Italian) 5-7 and 6-7 but showed his experience by taking the last 3 sets ... 6-4, 6-0, 6-4. In addition, Gael Monfils entertained the crowds and defeated David Nalbandian in straight sets ... 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Frenchwoman Julie Coin (ranked 188th in the world) who surprised everyone with her upset of #1 seeded Ana Ivanovic couldn't repeat the deed with Amelie Mauresmo who seems finally to be playing like the champion she's proven herself to be in previous tournaments.

In today's schedule on Center Court (also known as Arthur Ashe) ... Jelena Jankovic of Serbia (#2 seed) is playing Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark (#21 seed). Following that match, Roger Federer takes on Radek Stepanek and later ... Andy Roddick will play Andreas Seppi. Tonight Elena Dementieva takes on Na Li and Serbian #3 Novak Djokovic plays #30 Marin Cilic of Croatia.

On Armstrong, Davydenko takes on Tursunov, Bammer plays Bartoli, Robredo plays Tsonga, and Nieminen battles Gonzalez. At the Grandstand the following matches are scheduled: Almagro vs. Muller, Verdasco vs. Andreev, Schnyder vs. Srebotnik, followed by the 3rd round 'doubles' match with 'Junior's matches' taking place on outer courts.

Monday's schedule features the other half of the draw ... and will include Rafa Nadal vs. Sam Querrey, Mardy Fish vs. Gael Monfils, Kei Nishikori vs. Juan Martin Del Potro, and Stan Wawrinka vs. Andy Murray. The Williams sisters have matches on Monday too against player, but I don't recall who they're playing at the moment. Perhaps I'll check later ... but it's 8am in So Cal and the first matches are in progress ... so I'll publish this and be watching TENNIS.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back!

Thought for Today
"Lots of people talk to animals. ... Not very many listen, though. ... That's the problem." Benjamin Hoff, the Tao of Pooh

Photo Hunt #18 - Smiley Saturday #17

Make Time for Small Reflections

Scroll down for Smiley Saturday
Another 'Beautiful 'Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations today.
Yesterday's Haiku Friday posts are:
SkyWatch HF - California Clouds
and Mid-Morning Musings

This is my 18th This week's theme is Beautiful

Flowers from my yard ...
PSE collage made with 'filtered' Taos photos
... just for fun!

See an 'unfiltered' collage with similar Taos photos
shared at Sacred Ruminations last Wednesday.

Click for others participating this week in ... Photo Hunt today.
This is my 17th

I'm smiling today because ...
1. I have TENNIS to watch all weekend long ... the US Open Championship in New York! Last night's match with Lindsey Davenport was a tough one to watch because she just couldn't find her serve and it took her well into the 2nd set to pull things together against Marion Bartoli ... but Andy Roddick played wonderfully against a very challenging Ernests Gulbis of Latvia ... winning in 4 sets ... in a match that ended around 1:30pm this morning. Needless to say, I'm tired today ... but happily watching Venus Williams (currently up a set and 2 breaks against one of the Bondarehko sisters). Rafa Nadal plays next against Viktor Troicki of Serbia. Later Serena Williams plays her 3rd round match against Ai Sugiyama and tonight James Blake and Mardy Fish will compete in the Arthur Ashe stadium under the lights. Ah ... Venus just won 6-2, 6-1 in 56 minutes. She'll play Radwanska on Monday. American Sam Querrey is 'playing beautifully ... up 2 sets (7-6, 7-6) against Ivo Karlovic, so he might move on to the Round of 16 for the 1st time ever in a 'major' ... (where he'd play either Rafa Nadal or Viktor Troicki) ... if he can hold things together. 11:30am addendum --- Hooray for Sam Querrey who just took the 3rd set against Karlovic, 6-2 ... so he's made his first 'round of 16' ever in a 'major' at the age of 20 after winning his 1st Pro Title in Las Vegas earlier this year and representing the USA at the Beijing Olympics too.

2. I've had great fun 'playing' with Photoshop filters this past week (after beginning my Advanced PSE6 class) and experimenting with 'enhancement features' as I create more collages with Photoshop ... like my T-13 here last week. It's all quite nifty and the possibilities seem unlimited.

3. I laughed myself silly earlier this week reading Chris B's Witty Wednesday post at Ms Cellania. If need a chuckle or two, you might want to check it out as time permits.

Click for others participating in Smiley Saturday this week.
I hope you each have a wonderful holiday weekend!

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." Ralph Waldo Emerson

Haiku Friday #69 - Mid-Morning Musings ...

Make Time for Small Reflections

Watching tennis ... I'm
tired ... moving slower than
usual, and yet

I've created two
Haiku Friday logos and
published my Sky Watch

'California Clouds'
at Sacred Ruminations
with some Haiku verse ...
~ ~ ~
Ivanovic lost
her 2nd round match against
a qualifier

first time ever that
'number one seed' lost before
the 3rd round in the

US Open in
New York City ... I'm
watching Jankovic

battling against
Zheng Jie in a 2nd set.
Each struggled to hold

serve in today's match.
Pressure ... forced a few mistakes
for both women ... yet

each 'competed' well
on 'important points' to stay
'alive' ... and that does

reminds me of how
last night's 'qualifier' who
played against Nadal

(after a slow start)
showed some brilliant tennis for
a few games in the

3rd set of that match
enjoying 'his brief moment'
in the 'spotlight' there.
~ ~ ~
Seventeen minutes
eleven 'deuces' before
5th 'match point' for the

Serbian woman
2 hours and 10 minutes
for this 2 set match.
~ ~ ~
Next up Federer's
2nd round match against a
Thiago Alves ...

some one I have not
heard of ever ... seems like the
'qualifiers' have

done amazingly
well in the early 'rounds' this
year ... taking out 'seeds.'

Virtual 'unknowns' ...
unexpected players on
'show courts' changing the

expectations for
those remaining in the draw
and viewers like me.
~ ~ ~
Davydenko just
won against Calleri in
straight sets so he is

through to the next round
along with James Blake who will
play against Mardy

Fish (reaching the 3rd
round for the first time in nine
attempts up 'til now).

Maybe I will stop
here and publish these 'musings' ...
It is almost noon!
~ ~ ~
Click for Sky Watch #9 and Haiku Friday #68 at Sacred Ruminations
'California Clouds'
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

For others participating in Haiku Friday this week go to A Mommy Story. Jennifer is no longer hosting Haiku Friday at 'Playgroups.' (To see my previous Haikus, click on the Haiku Friday label below this post or in the sidebar under About Me where you'll find a 'directory' of my Haikus on both blogs).

Thought for Today
"It ain't what they call you, it's what you answer to." W.C. Fields

(WW#46) T-13 #38 - Photo Experimentations

Make Time for Small Reflections13 'Filtered' Photographs of
Unusual Animal Partners Collaged

All done with Photoshop Elements

Do you recognize them all?

I'll be at my Photoshop Class this morning so will visit later on.
Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants
Click for others participating in WW on Thursday.
See yesterday's Photo Experimentations at Sacred Ruminations too.

For easy access, I’ve listed more T-13 links along with the Thursday Thirteen Blogroll at My Blog Rolls.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."
Albert Einstein

Whimsical Wednesday #2

Make Time for Small Reflections

I'd like to thank Tammy of A Little Girl Talk and Mom Knows Everything for helping me get rid of the 'html' borders messing up my headers on both blogs. Lookie ... no 'excess' lines here or at Sacred Ruminations any more. I'm 'almost wordless' there today ... sharing 'kewl' Photoshopped 'experimentations' with a brief Haiku even though it's not Friday today.

Won't you play along?
Choose one, two, or all three ...

You Are Palatino

You consider yourself to be creative and artistic. Actually, I don't ... but I'd LIKE to be both. And you'd like everyone else to know it! Um ... not necessarily. You take design and aesthetics seriously. Intuitively ... perhaps. You like everything in your life to be unique and beautiful - but never gaudy! This could be true of me.

What Font Are You?

I found the next two Blogthings at Kitten's Homeschool recently.

You Are White Tea

You are quite delicate and very sensitive. You are easily overwhelmed. This doesn't sound much like me. Peace and serenity are important to you. You shy away from intensity of any sort. The first seems fairly accurate, the second ... not so much. You appreciate a simple quiet moment. You can relax easily without feeling bored. Both of these are definitely true of me. You take the time to enjoy life. Even when things are busy, you make the time. I do make enjoying life a priority and try to create time for what matters.

What Kind of Tea Are You?

As most of my 'regulars' know, I prefer being 'A Nonny Mouse' ... but using 'Wise Old Storyteller' ... I got the following results:

Your Expression Number is 4

Practical and down to earth - everything in your life is organized. Yes on the first ... not so much on the second (though I am working on becoming more organized). You are a great writer and teacher. You never forget a detail. Don't know about the 'great' part ... but I certainly do write (have done so for a long time) and I spent 34 years teaching in the classroom. As for my memory ... sometimes I remember better than others these days. Very patient, you have the ability to cultivate talents in difficult fields. I am patient and I do persevere when I'm interested and challenged by new things. You also tend to have an artistic side. You'd make a great architect or classical musician. I wish this was true of me ;--) You face your responsibilities with a positive attitude - and you always get things done. This is true ... though sometimes it takes me longer than I'd like. You are serious, sincere, honest, and faithful. I'd like to think so. Sometimes your strong sense of responsibility leads to frustration. This was more true of me in the past than it is these days. You also tend to develop strong likes and dislikes, which border on dogmatism. Not so much ... At you're worst, you can be a dominant disciplinarian. Once upon a time, perhaps ... but not so any longer. This is one lesson I learned the hard way.

What's Your Expression Number?

Share results here in comments or on your own blog,
but be sure to leave a link if you do the latter.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"An exaggeration is a truth that has lost its temper." Kahlil Gibran

Ruby Tuesday #1 and HoTs #21 - Talk

Make Time for Small Reflections

If you're looking for Fun Monday, it's just below this one.
Scroll down for Heads or Tails
This is my 1st ...
Click for others participating in Ruby Tuesday today.

Hosted by Skittles at Head or Tails

Click for info about how to play
This week's prompt is:HEADS - Talk
I share a favorite song from the film, South Pacific ...
found on YouTube.

Click for others participating in HoTs today.
I'm at my advanced PSE6 class this morning
so will be visiting later in the day.

Next week's theme/prompt is:
TAILS - List three things from any category

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Dreams are free, so free your dreams." Astrid Alauda

Fun Monday #20 Useless 'trivia' ... or not

Make Time for Small Reflections

I made this logo myself ...

The gals at Mama Drama are hosting Fun Monday today and offer this as our challenge:

Remember way back in elementary school when you had to do a report on James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States and you told the class all about how he was shot after only four months in office? You also remember that he recovered after a week, but doctor's continued to probe at the healed wound causing complications and resulting in his death almost three months later? Okay, we all knew that about Garfield, but you also remember that James Garfield could write with both hands at one time and in different languages.!!! Why do you remember that? Maybe for you it wasn't James Garfield, but somewhere in your past education, you picked-up some little bit of useless information that you've never forgotten.

What funny trivial fact do you remember that you probably should have forgotten a long time ago?

What immediately came to mind when I read the prompt yesterday was ... 'all Gaul is divided into 3 parts ...' from my High School Latin class ... though I confess I no longer remember what those parts are. Upon a quick search just now I learned from Wikipedia that 'Gaul' was the Roman name for Western Europe (northern Italy, France, Belgium and parts of Switzerland, the Netherlands and Germany) and as I try to sort out the info this morning ... I'm remembering why I've let the information fade. Just this weekend I was reminded by my 'writing buddy' from the Taos Retreat that Einstein said, "Never try to remember anything you can look up."

Next came to mind the more useful 'trivia' ...

i before e except after c or when sounded like a as in neighbor and weigh

30 days has September ... April, June, and November ... all the rest have 31 except February with 28 (and 29 every 4 years in Leap Year)

Every good boy does fine (EGBDF) and Good Boys Do Fine Always (GBDFA) for the musical notes on the staff lines for 'treble' and 'bass' clefs ... FACE and All Cows Eat Grass (ACEG) for the spaces.

and then this poem about Crazy Horse who battled George Custer at Little Big Horn ...

The Indians of the Wild West
We found were hard to tame,
For they seemed really quite possessed
To keep their ways the same.
They liked to hunt, they liked to fight,
And (this I grieve to say)
They could not see the white man's right
To take their land away.
So there was fire upon the Plain,
And deeds of derring-do,
Where Sioux were bashing soldiers' brains
And soldiers bashing Sioux'.
And here is bold Chief Crazy Horse,
A warrior, keen and tried,
Who fought with fortitude and force
But on the losing side.
Where Custer fell, where Miles pursued,
He led his native sons,
And did his best, though it was crude
And lacked the Gatling guns.
It was his land. They were his men.
He cheered and led them on.
--The hunting ground is pasture, now
The buffalo are gone.
Stephen Vincent Binet

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I apologize for being just a bit later than usual with today's Fun Monday post ... but I stayed up to watch the Closing Ceremonies and slept in until 6am (late for me) ... so this is a 'quickie' off the top of my head out of necessity. I may return to add some 'final thoughts' about the Olympics ... but for now I'll just add that I'm excited for the USA Men's Volleyball Team for clinching GOLD against Brazil & the USA Water Polo team taking home the SILVER.

Collaged by me using Photoshop Elements

Photo source NBC: Getty images on the Internet
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The past is never dead, it is not even past." William Faulkner