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

Click for others participating in Fun Monday today.

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

UM#20 WeekendWhimsies#1 and more ... maybe

Make Time for Small Reflections

Camera Critters, 'wrinkled' Photo Hunt, & Smiley Saturday
(along with some Olympic Musings) are all in Saturday's post.
Scroll down for my 1st Weekend Whimsies
Another 'wrinkled' Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations.

I just got off the phone with my 'writing buddy' and more 'Olympic Musings' may come later, but at the moment I'm watching the USA-Spain Gold Medal Basketball game I couldn't stay awake for last night ... I hope YOU'RE having a delightful day!

9:30 addendum - Hooray for USA Redeem Team ...
winning GOLD in a close game with Spain!

Collaged in Photoshop Elements using images found on the Internet this morning.

Congratulations to Argentina for winning the Bronze
playing against Lithuania earlier!

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. Cry :: Wolf
2. Stretch :: the last part of a race
3. Efficient :: effective
4. Brunch :: 'Retired Ladies' monthly gathering ... 2nd Monday of the month
5. Afro :: popular hairstyle from the 60s & 70s
6. Preheat :: a 'heat' before the final race perhaps???
7. Delicious :: type of apple from Washington
8. Global warming :: climate change
9. Actions :: speak louder than words
10. Ride :: Sally Ride!

Methinks this might be my briefest ever ...

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

1. Cry ::
2. Stretch ::
3. Efficient ::
4. Brunch ::
5. Afro ::
6. Preheat ::
7. Delicious ::
8. Global warming ::
9. Actions ::
10. Ride ::

Click for others 'muttering' today.

This is my 1st ...

11:30am addendum: I found this meme at Yertle's (of Smile, Play, Dream) last week and again today, so I've decided to play. 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. So ... now I'm playing 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.

Explorer or Mozilla? Mozilla for sure!

Favorite musical? The Lion King ... though the revival of Flower Drum Song is a close 2nd because it was my nephew's 1st Broadway role.

Does anyone in your family read your blog? Do they comment? Not with any regularity on either count.

Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi ... though I don't indulge the habit much any longer.

What show are you most looking forward to this fall season? Heroes, Eli Stone, and Life

Cookies or cake? Cookies ... have you tried the Brownie Bites (or Triple Ginger Snaps) from Trader Joes?

How many speeding tickets have you gotten? None ... (gratefully)

Where will you go on your next vacation? Perhaps another Writer's Retreat ... returning to Taos or Maui ... or maybe someplace totally new?

Ocean, lake or pool? Ocean

Favorite appetizer? I don't usually eat appetizers ... (but I do love Guacamole on just about anything)

Click for others participating whimsically.
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"The idea is not to block every shot. The idea is to make your opponent believe that you might block every shot." Bill Russell

PhotoHunt#16 - Wrinkled ... Camera Critters #22 Smiley Saturday #16 and More Olympics Musings

Make Time for Small Reflections

Scroll down for Smiley Saturday
My 1st 'Wrinkled 'Photo Hunt today is at Sacred Ruminations

This is my 22ndMisty Dawn started the meme and explains the rules here:
Introductory Information

'Wrinkled'

I introduced 'Lily' a while back,
but her cute 'wrinkles' came to mind again this morning.
Click for others participating this week in ... Photo Hunt and Camera Critters.
This is my 16th

I'm smiling today because ...
1. I finally created new photo headers for two of my blogs and I'm fairly happy with the results. I'll like them better when I learn enough about HTML coding to 'fix' the 'template' issues creating small 'glitches' ... but I'm choosing not to be picky at the moment.

2. I've caught up with responses to comments on my blogs ... winnowed down the number of emails left to under 100 (from more than 750) ... and have the 'unread posts' in my 'reader' back in the range of about 400 even though I've been admittedly Olympics Obsessed and there's Tennis to watch too ... (exhaling to relax as I feel myself tensing up while typing).

3. The USA men and women managed to come back (after dropping the baton and failing to qualify for the final 4 x 100m relay) ... taking the Gold in the 4 x 200 relay finals.4. American 10-m Platform Divers David Boudia and Thomas Finchum qualifed in the top 12 and will compete in the finals.

5. After the USA 'Gold-medal sweep' for Beach Volleyball, both the mens and womens Volleyball teams made it to the 'finals' and although the women took 'silver' in that match against the Brazilians, the men will play Brazil for the 'gold' ...

6. Although I've not followed Basketball too closely, the USA mens and womens teams have made the Gold Medal Round ... so maybe I'll watch those games.

7. I'm enjoying a nice catch up visit on the phone with my sister this morning at the moment. They're in Rhode Island ... still enjoying the RV 'retired life' on the road. Methinks I'll post this now ... and perhaps add a few more things later. I did have some humorous links to share, but I'm having trouble 'multi-tasking' at the moment.

Click for others participating in Smiley Saturday today.

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"If only we'd stop trying to be happy we could have a pretty good time." Edith Wharton

HF#67 - Still Olympics Obsessed

Make Time for Small Reflections

First the women ... then
Rogers & Dalhausser take
Olympic Gold for

the United States
in Beach Volleyball ... Hooray
for the USA!

All photos found on the Internet this morning

after last night's historic match and collaged by myself with Photoshop Elements

Disappointment in
mens and womens relay teams
dropping the baton

now disqualified
will not make the 'final' race ...
and the USA

women's softball team
undefeated until now ...
lost Gold Medal match!

Japan claims the Gold
final year 'softball' will be
in the Olympics.

Cleats left on the field
honoring 'traditions' past ...
might this 'loss' fuel the

move to reinstate
softball in the Olympics?
Only time will tell.

Now it seems there is
evidence that not all the
Chinese gymnasts aren't

sixteen after all.
Certainly not how to end
Beijing Olympics.

I'm watching last night's
USA-Russian match in
team volleyball ... 3rd

set the Russian team
battling back from two sets
down to USA

hoping to reach the
final round against Brazil ...
up now 15-12.

Addendum: This proved to be an exciting match ... for the Russians took that 3rd set and the 4th ... pushing it to a 5th 'tie-break' set that was very close to the very end, but the American's pulled out a win and will play Brazil for the Gold Medal in the next round while the Russians play for Bronze.

Click for Sky Watch #8 and Haiku Friday #66 at Sacred Ruminations
'Wispy Clouds on Blue Sky'
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).

What's your opinion on my new headers
here and at Sacred Ruminations?

Thought for Today
"If passion drives you, let reason hold the reins." Benjamin Franklin

Hooray for Misty May & Kerry Walsh winning GOLD again! ... and What's YOUR name's HIDDEN meaning?

Take Time for Small Reflections

Yez ... I know it's Thursday, but ...

I found this at Grandy's a while back ... decided to share today ... to give myself a 'break' and allow myself to catch up a bit. I've got TONS of emails, too many unread blog posts in my 'reader' ... and comments on my blogs crying out for 'responses' from me. Of course, I'm also watching the Olympic events this morning I couldn't stay awake for last night ... just because. I'll share more later on this too.

What Storyteller Means

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do. You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are a free spirit, and you resent anyone who tries to fence you in. You are unpredictable, adventurous, and always a little surprising. You may miss out by not settling down, but you're too busy having fun to care. You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together. You are relaxed, chill, and very likely to go with the flow. You are light hearted and accepting. You don't get worked up easily. Well adjusted and incredibly happy, many people wonder what your secret to life is. What's your name's hidden meaning?

Hmmm ... most of this seems 'right on' ... though it's 'off' in places, so perhaps I'll add 'comments' later.

For now I'm watching Misty May & Kerry Walsh play against the young Chinese team for Gold in the rain because I was just too tired last night to stay up for this beach volleyball match and didn't want to miss anything. They've taken the first game 21-18 and are TIED at 13-13 the second ... so it's all very exciting. I'm taking a quick break to post this and get a coffee refill ... then I'll savor the rest. Hope YOU'RE all having a delightful day!

10:15am Addendum - I can't resist celebrating!!!
This was Kerry's 100th win and Misty's 103rd ... and together they're the ONLY beach volleyball team to win consecutive Olympic Gold Medals. I went a little overboard with the collages, but there were just so many wonderful photos of this at Yahoo Sports that I couldn't decide which to skip.

Imagine That!!!

What do you think of my new pictorial 'header' here and at Sacred Ruminations? I realized I've got little 'glitches' in the HTML coding of my 'templates' ... but overall I'm happy to have figured out how to make these changes on my own. I've been wanting to do this (and experimenting periodically without much success until now) for months!

Smile Reflections, Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Every time you don't follow your inner guidance, you feel a loss of energy, loss of power, a sense of spiritual deadness." Shakti Gawain

Whimsical Wednesday and more Olympic Musings

Make Time for Small Reflections
Does this surprise anyone???

You Are Tennis

You are highly competitive and driven. This was true of me once upon a time ... but not so much any more. You're in it to win, and you will keep going until you do. Perhaps so ... but I define 'winning' differently than I once did. You crave fame, success, and the envy of others. Hmmm ... not really, but I do still LOVE the game of tennis!!!

What Olympic Sport Are You?

If you decided to play along, I hope you'll leave your results in comments ... or if you decide to post on your blog, leave me a link here so I can check them out.

I'm exhausted, but
still staying up late to watch ...
grateful I'm retired.

After 'catching up'
recently, it seems that I'm
behind once again.

I appreciate
all who visit and comment.
Responding has been

more of a challenge
but my intentions remain
as they've always been.

Shawn and Nastia ...
1 and 2 again. This time
Johnson wins the Gold

on the Balance Beam!
Jonathon Horton takes the
Silver on High Bar ...

Collage created with images found on the Internet this morning.

In Beach Volleyball
Misty May and Kerry Walsh
play for 'Gold' against

the Chinese team of
Tian Jia and Wang today ...
I'll watch this for sure!

Likewise Todd and Phil
play for Gold on Thursday a-
gainst the Brazilians.

Can USA sweep???
Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally." David Frost

Heads or Tails #20 - One Year Anniversary ...

Take Time for Small Reflections
If you're looking for Fun Monday, it's just below this one.Hosted by Skittles at Head or Tails

Click for info about how to play
Since today is the One Year Anniversary of Heads or Tails ...
this week's theme/prompt is:

HEADS *OR* TAILS - Heads *Or* Tails
and I've done BOTH as I so often do
being an indecisive sort ...

Images found at Photobucket

I tried to be serious about this, but DISTRACTIONS kept me from devoting much time to devote to writing about how I've enjoyed participating in this Tuesday activity for the past few months ... meeting interesting bloggers and pushing myself to think 'outside the box' whenever possible, so I offer you some 'silliness' ... just because ;--)

Next week's theme/prompt is:

HEADS - Talk

Small Reflections ... Smile Back

Thought for Today
"I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living, it's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope. Which is what I do, and that enables you to laugh at life's realities."
Theodore Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss)