We had two sons, we never had a dodder. No, I mean daughter. See, I told you I was bad speller. Hey, wait a minute, maybe I will write about dodder, if that is OK with you.
How many of you know what dodder is? I have to be honest, this morning is the first I have ever heard of it (that I can remember). I came across it while browsing through my Dictionary of World Folklore for some story to dazzle my readers. Instead, I found dodder. It perked my interest so I had to research it a little further.
Dodder is a plant that is common to North America. It is a parasitic climbing vine that bores its tentacles into its host and sucks out nutrients so it can survive. The reason it was in the book I mentioned above, was the belief that, since it absorbs the healthful power and essence of its host, it would do the same to humans. It was also believed that if you threw a piece of dodder backwards over your shoulder toward a loved one, and it thrives where it lands, so will the affair.
I also searched the Internet and found some pictures of it:
Now, don't you think that is nasty looking stuff? I dislike most parasites, plants and people. They steal the life force and resources that the hosts have worked hard to acquire and save. I know that none of you are parasites, so I wish you all a great day today, you hear?
Some people like to own pets that are special or exotic; something unique that no one else has. Well, I got some exotic pets for you, but you may not be able to get them until 20 or so years from now. Let me explain what I am talking about.
Do you remember my blog posting "Wondering what to have for Thanksgiving"? Well, if you remember a futuristic company called Dino-Dish would sell a kit to allow you to grow your own dinosaur meat. Well, a little further into the future there may be another company called DADE which will sell you a Dial-A-De-Extinction Kit. (found this article in Discover magazine titled 2033 Holiday Gift Guide by Gemma Tarlach. - got to give credit where credit is due.) This future kit supposedly will include DNA and a tutorial on how to find and catch the living animal you'll be using as a host breeder. I am sure this could cause a lot of turmoil with both your neighbors and Mother Nature. So, you should also be allowed to purchase insurance to cover any damage your new exotic pet may do to the environment.
OK, if you could, which extinct dino would you order as a pet and why? Would you want a tiny, gentle one, a large vegetarian, or a huge meat eater which would be the terror of your neighborhood? Now I hope you can out-run any dino pets that got loose and that you will also have a great day today, you hear?
I am a little late posting. Sorry if you missed me but more sorry if you didn't (grin). Anyway, I will explain. First of all, I slept in this morning and only had time to grab a bite to eat before leaving for the flea market. One of our flea market friends' dad (who is also a vendor) was in the hospital with breathing problems. It was his son who we went to see at the funeral home. I mentioned this in a past blog, http://dizzydick.blogspot.com/2013/11/wondering-to-funeral-home.html
He believes that he caught the same infection that just killed his son. He seemed very good today and was very talkative. Told us a lot of stories from his past. It was a very enjoyable visit and I learned a lot from him. We visited for a few hours. He also got some good news that his wife was told she could go home Monday morning if she is still improving and he hopes that he can go home with her. We hope he can, too. We also hope that we brightened up his day.
Weather is warm and sunny today, a beautiful day. Hope you all have a beautiful day, too. Now, you have a great day, you hear?
What is your favorite word? What is your least favorite word. Maybe I should just ask what word do you use the most. Since I became rather hard of hearing and especially when I don't have my hearing aids in, my most used word is "what". Now for least favorite word. My wife's least favorite word is "what". Yep, she gets tired of hearing me say it over and over and over again. I guess to me nice, from now on I should not use that word so much, but rather just say, "yes dear". Yes, I know that could be really dangerous. OK, hold on for a few seconds, I got to go do something. . .
....
OK, I am back. I just remembered that I didn't have my hearing aids in. I went and put them in. Now I will be able to hear all your great comments. . . wait a minute, I guess I just read your comments, it is the wife's comments that I will now be able to hear.
It is bright and sunny today, but a little on the cool side earlier this morning. How could such a beautiful day be labeled "Black" Friday? I think it should have been named "Green" Friday for all the money that the stores will be raking in today. They will not be getting any of my money today. Now, you all have a bright black Friday, you hear?
I want to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving. Some of us have to look harder than others, but we all have something to be thankful for. It is very important to take time to count our blessings and I, for one, have more blessings than I can count. I sure hope you all do, too. I am loved by friends and family. I am blessed with lots of wonderful and loving cousins. All my wonderful Aunts and Uncles have passed away, my Aunt just passed away and she was the last of my family's generation, the last of an era that produced real people capable of handling the world's problems without complaining.
Thanksgiving has been celebrated for years. It supposedly started in 1621 when the Pilgrims celebrated it at Plymouth Rock. Then in 1863 President Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday and was celebrated the last Thursday of the month of November. Then in 1941, it was set as the fourth Thursday. That way, when there are five Thursdays in the month, there will not be any confusion. And yes, there could be five Thursdays in November, in case you are curious. Now, don't eat too much. . . oh heck, go ahead, if you can't eat too much on Thanksgiving when can you? So, have a great Thanksgiving, you hear?
A sad trip. An acquaintance or ours passed away way too soon at the age of 57. He died of a serious infection. It just so happened that his dad was in the same hospital but one floor above his son. They were kind enough to wheel him down to his son's room so he could be with him when he passed. So sad!! Then, I just found out last night that his mother was also taken to the hospital. This was not a good week for this family. I got to meet some of his out of state relatives. They really seem to be a fine family and I feel so sad about their loss and the trouble they are going through.
I just don't have anything else to say, except that you all have a great day, you hear?
I thought it would interesting to delve into some history of our past presidents. They all have had interesting stories told about them, some true and probably some not so true. Some came from relatively unknown families, but most had a family history of either politics, or some other occupation that was highly visible to the public.
Take President Franklin Roosevelt for example. FDR was related to William Howard Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Benjamin Harrison, Ulysses S. Grant, Zachary Taylor, William Henry Harrison, Martin Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, James Madison, John Adams, and George Washington. Seems strange, but FDR and his relatives controlled the presidency for about one-third of its existence.
How many remember Reagan? and his Reaganizms? I, personally, liked him and enjoyed listening to him. But, there have been times when his actions were just plain laughable. For instance, one such time was when he and Nancy (both of which, by the way, had multiple face lifts) attended church at an Episcopal church service in Virginia. As they were about to take communion, Nancy asked Mike Deaver, "Are those people drinking out of the same cup?" He had to explain to her that they would be given wafers first and they would dip it into the cup. President Reagan couldn't hear those instructions and was asking "What? What?" To which Nancy responded , "Ron, just do exactly as I do." As the wafers were passed by she took one, dipped it in the chalice, and accidentally dropped it in the wine. Reagan promptly took his wafer, dipped it, and dropped it into the wine as well. The preacher moved on, shaking his head, and staring at the blobs of gunk floating in his wine.
I guess it shows that even presidents are human and some more than others. It is cold (upper 30's) and raining. Not a good day to be out walking, so will stay in most of the day. Now, you all stay dry and warm and have a great day, you hear?
