Anecdotes, Antidotes, and Anodes

Daffodil or Jonquil ?

This is the only yellow flower blooming in my yard.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY PLAYERS HERE

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My list of things to do seems to have more items on it every day. Blogging has moved to the bottom of it, and I'm just not finding the time to visit my favorite blogs. I will try to post something here everyday, but it may just be a photo. I don't want to totally stop blogging...yet.

I certainly appreciate your visits and especially your comments, and I do understand that this is a reciprocal thing with most bloggers. Please stop by if you have the time even though I won't be landing on your doorstep very often for about a month.

There is a special project I'm trying to finish before May 17, and I plan to put all my time and energy into it.

Just Go Take a "HIKE" . . . with Swampy

AOJ and The Lurchers is the place where you will find all the hikers and walkers today. At this point, I must admit, until I started reading AOJ's blog, I had never heard of a LURCHER, much less know what one was. LURKERS, yes. Lurchers, no.
AOJ, thanks for the larnin'. Was I the ONLY ONE who didn't know ? 

Here's what AOJ and the Lurchers have to say about the challenge for this week:

"I'm going to make it a nice and easy Fun Monday this week. All I want you to do is take me on your favourite walk. In words or pictures. Or both of course! Tell me why it's your favourite and point out things of interest on the way.

So go get your walking boots on!"

Well, since going on walks is one of my favourite (I love spelling that word with a "u" in it.) things to do, I couldn't resist signing up for today's Fun Monday.
AND, has anyone noticed that I've been following the rules lately ?

So, here we go...lace up your boots AND slap on a helmet, we're off on a Swampy Hike. But, first we have to fire up the engine on the old broom. Yes, you guess it. Our WALK will be with our feet off the ground.

Anyone recognize those "peaks" of Denver International Airport?

The airport's distinctive white tension fabric roof is designed to be reminiscent of the snow-capped Rocky Mountains in winter. Steel cables similar to those on the Brooklyn Bridge support the roof. It is also known for a pedestrian bridge connecting the terminal to Concourse A that allows travelers to view planes taxiing directly underneath. (And that's not my thumb in the photo. It's the engine on our broom.)

Let me interject something right here. I know these photos aren't the sharpest, clearest, most focused ones you'll ever look at, BUT considering the bumps, clouds, bumps, haze, bumps, overcast skies, and did I mention bumps...they turned out just 'ok.'  I think you'll "get the picture."

As we 'hike,' please notice the clover-leaf that has bloomed despite the snow-covered ground.

Yes, we are looking at downtown Denver. And, to the west, it appears that the skies are sunny and clear. (NOT)

As we continue hiking, the sparkle of the lakes reflect in the lens of our camera.

Where did these clouds come from?  Did you order them? Anyone recognize this ski resort?

We'll zoom down for a closer look...

Did someone mention clouds ? ... as in, "We have our heads in the clouds...or possibly ABOVE the clouds."

For some reason, I just liked this shot with the "lines" going ever-which-a-way."

This photo is to just let you know the motor on our broom is still working.

Another ski resort. Any ideas where we are now ?

The beginning of the Grand Mesa...largest flat topped mountain in the world is one of the most beautiful places for us to hike. 

OK, off with the hiking boots and on with the snow shoes or cross country skis. Which do you prefer?

Looking back at the Grand Mesa...can you see us there?

Care to guess what that is?

And now, we need to take off the snow shoes and skis to don our swim suits for a brisk swim in the Colorado River.

I hope you enjoyed our "hike" from Denver to Grand Junction. 
B-r-r-r-r, this water is cold.

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Now, go take a hike to THIS POST.  It's just a friendly reminder from a friendly witch. If your name isn't on the list, then you aren't cool.  That's a friendly reminder of what junior high middle school peer pressure felt like. Even DubYaT is on the list. Actually, it's just to let you know, it's not too late to join in on some fun.

Follow-up Post on Jordan Jones

Several weeks ago, I posted a story about our friend, Jordan Jones. Actually, I linked you to John Carmichael's Blog, The Tailhook Daily Briefing.

HERE IS THAT STORY

So far, there have been THIRTY-SEVEN comments ranging from a peon like myself to a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy...the comments have come from all over the World. If you've not read this post AND the comments, may I suggest that you take about five minutes to do so. Maybe even take the time to leave Jordan a few words of encouragement. It will put a smile on your face.

Here is Jordan's Web-Site for current updates about him kicking cancer's butt. Pardon my language, but he has. There you will also find a place to leave him a comment. Be sure to let him know from where in this World you are posting.

Good Chat Blog Award

Message from the Emergency Swampcast System:

The broom has landed ! ..but there isn't much time for blogging today.

Whoever wants to accept this challenge, PLEASE summarize the comments and add a conclusion to this melodrama.  PLEASE!  You can use as many words as necessary.

Message #2 from the Emergency Swampcast System !

My dear friend, Karisma, has finished this "Fairy Tale"...THANK GOODNESS and THANK YOU KARISMA ! Please read the exciting conclusion in the comment section. ...and THANKS TO ALL of YOU WHO PLAYED THE GAME !  I hope to be blogging again soon.

These are the words of my blog buddy, Chris B who bestowed this award upon me:   "There are no rules ( you will be pleased to hear!) I was just given the button award  so you can pass it on to whom ever you like."

Since there are no rules, I will make up my own. As you have probably surmised, I'm not blogging much these days, (see photo on post below for explanation) but do like to keep things stirred up here at The Asylum.

Here's the deal, I'm going to start this post and let you continue and possibly finish it.  I know. I know. This is a lazy way to create a post, but it is the Good Chat Blog Post, and what better way to "chat" than to let YOU do the chatting?  Recipients of this award will be announced later this week.

Whoever is the first to post, will continue my "story" with a comment of no more than 20 words, leaving it open-ended for the next person to pick up where you left off. You are welcome to come back and post again as many times as you like.  Please use other blogger's names, places and people of interest who might be in the current news...just be creative and make us laugh.

...Swampy knew it was going to be "ONE OF THOSE DAYS" when...

Been There Done That

This week's Fun Monday hostess is Southern Doll (clink the link for other participants) who has an ongoing comedy going on living in the south trying to figure IT out...not sure what IT is, but as soon as she figures IT out, I'm sure she'll share IT with us. In the meantime, she has this to say about the assignment today:

"What have you done in your life that was worth doing? I want to know the moments in your life that you hope will be the ones to pass through your mind when your time comes. I hope that doesn't sound too morbid. This doesn't necessarily have to be items you have checked off your Bucket List, it can be those small moments that made you smile, or the time you got that huge promotion you deserved, or the first time your baby smiled at you out of pure joy. I want to know all the moments, big and small, that make life sweet! If you don't already have a running list of these in your mind, you should! These moments help you remember how much your life is worth living, and we all deserve to enjoy it."

Because I am on the road and have very little time to 'blog,' this Fun Monday will be a short but sweet one for me.

To answer her question, "What have you done in your life that was worth doing?'...I will answer this way:

The vivid memories of giving birth to my two daughters are the VERY FIRST things that come to mind...and ALL the joys that they have given me sum up the moments that make me smile. Of course, they are many things in my past that make me smile, but these two girls and their husbands are at the top of my list.  One of the fringe benefits of having children is this:

Round Robin

For a complete list of Variety Show   Participants, clink this link.   Nancy explains:

Photograph something as viewed as an assortment...something that comes in different varieties. For example, it could be a bunch of flowers, or nuts, or crayons, or birds. The sky's the limit!

So how about it, Robins? Will you show us blooms or bottles, bows or butterflies, or beads or beans? How about a a jar of assorted nails, or a box of chocolates? Anything that comes in different varieties is on the menu, from donuts to ducks. Pick your subject, take your photo(s), and get ready to post the result on Saturday, April 19th.

How to Give a Cat a Pill

I would like to say that I wrote this, but I didn't. I would like to give credit to the person who did, but I don't know who you are. It's just too funny not to share.

Some excellent tips on giving a cat a pill :


1. Pick up cat and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as if
holding a baby. Position right forefinger and thumb on either side of cat's
mouth and gently apply pressure to cheeks while holding pill in right hand. As
cat opens mouth, pop pill into mouth. Allow cat to close mouth and swallow.

2. Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Cradle cat in
left arm and repeat process.

3. Retrieve cat from bedroom, and throw soggy pill away.

4. Take new pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm, holding rear
paws tightly with left hand. Force jaws open and push pill to back of mouth with
right forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of ten.

5. Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and cat from top of wardrobe. Call
spouse from garden.

6. Kneel on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, hold front and
rear paws. Ignore low growls emitted by cat. Get spouse to hold head firmly with
one hand while forcing wooden ruler into mouth. Drop pill down ruler and rub
cat's throat vigorously.

7. Retrieve cat from curtain rail, get another pill from foil wrap.
Make note to buy new ruler and repair curtains. Carefully sweep shattered
figurines and vases from hearth and set to one side for gluing later.

8. Wrap cat in large towel and get spouse to lie on cat with head just
visible from below armpit. Put pill in end of drinking straw, force mouth open
with pencil and blow down drinking straw.

9. Check label to make sure pill not harmful to humans, drink 1 beer
to take taste away. Apply Band-Aid to spouse's forearm and remove blood from
carpet with cold water and soap.

10 Retrieve cat from neighbor's shed. Get another pill. Open another
beer. Place cat in cupboard, and close door on neck, leave head showing. Force
mouth open with dessert spoon. Flick pill down throat with elastic band.

11. Fetch screwdriver from garage and put cupboard door back on
hinges. Drink beer. Fetch bottle of scotch. Pour shot, drink. Apply cold
compress to cheek and check records for date of last tetanus shot. Apply whiskey
compress to cheek to disinfect. Toss back another shot. Throw Tee shirt away and
fetch new one from bedroom.

12. Call fire department to retrieve the damn cat from across the
road. Apologize to neighbor who crashed into fence while swerving to avoid cat.
Take last pill from foil wrap.

13. Tie the little bastard's front paws to rear paws with garden twine
and bind tightly to leg of dining table, find heavy-duty pruning gloves from
shed. Push pill into mouth followed by large piece of filet steak. Be rough
about it . Hold head vertically and pour 2 pints of water down throat to wash
pill down.

14. Consume remainder of scotch. Get spouse to drive you to the
emergency room, sit quietly while doctor stitches fingers and forearm and
removes pill remnants from right eye. Call furniture shop on way home to order
new table.

15. Arrange for SPCA to collect mutant cat from hell and call local
pet shop to see if they have any hamsters.

How To Give A Dog A Pill

1. Wrap it in bacon.

2. Toss it in the air.

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                                                   There are 14 who have RSVP'd to Karmyn's Baby Shower. I know that you will not want to miss the fun on May 9.

Click HERE for details and to sign up.

This is one chance to go shopping on the Internet for fabulous gifts and not even have to look at the price tag.

You can post "baby games," bring the libations or food, decorate for the party...ANYTHING your imagination can conjure up that will make this a rip-roarin' good time.

Remember how much fun we had at JulieBug's and Tiggerlane's Housewarming Parties?

Now get those thinking caps on and come up with some out-of-this world gifts that any Mommy-to-Be would love to have for herself and the baby.

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For those who are still looking for Speedo Man, here is the:

Denver Post article

Lions' Club Parade Post

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APRIL 15 !

Nickel Nickel Nickel Bro !

Guess who are the host and hostess for today's Fun Monday? Times up ! But you already know who they  are, don't you? Yup ! My cousins, The Nekked Lizards.

OK, so they aren't BOTH my cousins, but I call them that. I just wanted to explain it so none of you would be thinking, "Swampy has two cousins and they're married. H-m-m-m. Wonder if they are from the same side of the family?" Now, first of all, I've never seen a lizard with clothes, so, I'm not surprised that they are nekked. That word must be pronounced correctly...Neck Ed.  Say it:  Neck Ed. Again: Neck Ed. Good !

Well here goes with what they have to say about today's assignment, challenge, rules, whatever you want to call this

Yes, we are the hosts for the April 14th Fun Monday. We're calling it THE DOUBLE NICKEL 5&5 FUN MONDAY Challenge.  The rules are simple (however, we DO realize Swampy will be challenged to the max with this one!) (Swampy says, "Byte Me !")

FIVE PICTURES - FIVE WORDS PER PICTURE.
Any 5 (FIVE) pictures, any subject, and any 5 (FIVE) words to describe and/or explain each picture.  CAN YOU DO IT???

I think I can.
I think I can.
I think I can.

Gonna be a rock'nroll star !  (rocknroll=1 word)

Feeling a little bit horny ?

What are YOU lookin' at ?

Tip Toe Through the Tulips

Tip Toe Through the _______

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Did you say five or nine ?  I can't remember. Just had to leave you with this one...to show you the power that I have.

I can make you Y-A-W-N !

Say it:

Swampy can make me YAWN !

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Have you heard about Flat Stanley?  Well, Stanley was accidentally flattened but went on some wonderful adventures.

Please meet "Flat Lucero"  (Flat Lucy)

Flat Lucy and her teacher have asked me to take her on a couple of adventures. So, if you have the time to copy and print this photo of Flat Lucy, then take of picture of her wherever you are in the World. It would be appreciated and provide lots of fun for Flat Lucy's classmates and teacher.

Just e-mail the photo you have taken and include a brief description of where you are to:

swampwitch06@gmail.com

This project could also be named:

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS FLAT LUCY ?

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For those looking for Speedo Man:

Denver Post Article

Swampwitch Post

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The answer to THIS is APRICOT.

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Karmyn's Shower Details and Sign up HERE.

Boxer Puppies' Update

Several days ago, I posted photos of some new Boxer puppies. (Puppy Breath Times Two) Many of you asked about the Mommy and Daddy...and if any of those puppies would become SwampPups...

Here's the gaggle of five.

This is Princess, the Mommy.

This is B.J., the Daddy.  (Junior's son)

"What are you looking at ?"

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A Pay It Forward Story  (clink the link) Here, too

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Details for KarmynR's Baby Shower  (Don't miss the fun. Sign up now.)

The party is going to be lots of fun and is scheduled for May 9. That gives you plenty of time to go "shopping" on the Internet and post your virtual gifts for Karmyn and the baby. For details, clink the link above. Be there or be square.

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Just in case you've never heard about FLAT STANLEY, clink this link.

Briefly, in Jeff Brown's book, Flat Stanley was accidentally flattened one day and had many wonderful adventures. 

Well, meet Flat Lucero, "Lucy."

Flat Lucy and her teacher have asked me to take her on a couple of adventures. So, if you have the time to copy and print this photo of Flat Lucy, then take of picture of her wherever you are in the World, it would be appreciated and provide lots of fun for Flat Lucy's classmates and teacher.

Just e-mail the photo you have taken and include a brief description of where you are to:

swampwitch06@gmail.com

This project could also be named:

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS FLAT LUCY ?

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For those of you who have come looking for the post that pictured "Speedo Man of Grand Junction," here it is.

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Whew! It's a busy day here at The Asylum. Be sure to come back tomorrow for The Nekked Lizard's Fun Monday.  

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

Are you coming to KarmynR's Baby Shower?
Here are the details. Sign up now!

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Visit Anna Carson to see more Yellow.