tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45256393814225253972024-03-18T20:58:29.533-07:00Linda Sparkman's BlogWriting, Music, Needle Art, Fun Stuff, Rants, InformationHuckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-28363980485759190422022-02-20T15:27:00.000-08:002022-02-20T15:27:16.095-08:00SANDRA<p> <span style="font-family: "Esenin script One"; font-size: 48pt; text-align: center;">Sandra</span></p><p align="center" class="MsoHeader" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Esenin script One"; font-size: 48.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszxpyaI7DT7zSob2B7UJS2ig2c6KOXt8seQJlo5SfIiv15enHoXU8J4FP9CNHGXOVNk4-IGJTONfBwSLLCjyEEXevNRMh3zDRt8T3guGkvNSs6dM1kiho6IXxlJ8icwkkW_eCJX2F36wNpXPF1zcw6hu30v_sgBY3ldXZwgMUFDYe6TXXuH6qCA=s376" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="376" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiszxpyaI7DT7zSob2B7UJS2ig2c6KOXt8seQJlo5SfIiv15enHoXU8J4FP9CNHGXOVNk4-IGJTONfBwSLLCjyEEXevNRMh3zDRt8T3guGkvNSs6dM1kiho6IXxlJ8icwkkW_eCJX2F36wNpXPF1zcw6hu30v_sgBY3ldXZwgMUFDYe6TXXuH6qCA=w200-h179" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve begun to catch my breath,
and I’m eager to share a little about one of the most wonderful women our Lord
ever created.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">We speak more days than not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">that</i>
blessed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I took today to write about her
because, after having to clear out a storage box of treasures that became wet
when rain poured in under my front door, I found the yo-yo pin she made me long ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">It’s not going back in that box,
either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve already hung it on my
“friends” wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you’ve never made a
yo-yo, take it from me, it’s not as easy as it appears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Especially if you make several hundred to sew
together into a quilt!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, if you’re
gifted, like my friend, Sandra (she doesn’t like being called Sandy) its pure
pleasure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is, until your hands
begin to ache from the tedious and repetitive motion. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">If they do, I hope, like her, you
just let go of that fun part of your life and look for something else to do to
bless others, while enjoying yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She seemingly can’t be
licked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not no way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not no how.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">~</span><o:p></o:p></p>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-21676152021899353132021-11-10T11:23:00.003-08:002021-11-10T11:35:32.840-08:00I, Pencil - Leonard E. Read SUPPLY CHAIN +++<iframe frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://youtube.com/embed/U3W2v7LN-88" width="480"></iframe> <div><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>ACCIDENTAL DELIGHT</b></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">It was suggested I watch You Tube to learn about the "I Pencil" for my unused I-Pad. </span><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">I Goggled "I Pencil" and found this treasure! It's about 13 minutes long, and quite enlightening!</span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span><span style="font-size: large;">Have fun. I did. </span></span></div></div></div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-10536946609230736332020-08-11T07:55:00.005-07:002020-08-11T07:58:56.260-07:00THINGS HAVEN'T (REALLY) CHANGED<p> </p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="break-after: avoid; text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS9sLxWcR_LlCo9L_c8ng9HIhv7XBQnQP59XoojfjOiOhUCvkbTqf9qiAHHvH-XHdA5NN-31n1Ei7Z74o7TpDMw91Go79Zo-ZXLXy-uYJVSOLIODOC3lp3ef2hB6YNrQ-GfE8IiA6nQ/s757/odd+man+out+temp.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="757" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnS9sLxWcR_LlCo9L_c8ng9HIhv7XBQnQP59XoojfjOiOhUCvkbTqf9qiAHHvH-XHdA5NN-31n1Ei7Z74o7TpDMw91Go79Zo-ZXLXy-uYJVSOLIODOC3lp3ef2hB6YNrQ-GfE8IiA6nQ/w410-h215/odd+man+out+temp.png" width="410" /></a><i style="color: #999999; text-align: left;">(Answer Below)</i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 176.2pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Maybe I do
this on purpose yet unawares. Again I
find myself feeling like an odd man out.
A very odd man.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I’m in this
Covid-19 disaster, but, I’m not jostled, even though I’ve seen and heard lots
of people tell me about the sky falling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>That may be too harsh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize
this is not make-believe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
hype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s happening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">However, if
I may express my personal experience in this, things haven't really changed
much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I feel like
a misfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I believe we, as a
collective, include an occasional misfit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>So, I’m ok with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">-<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Someone:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What am/are I/we going to do?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one knows.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Someone:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How can I stay safe?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Do your very best to follow people who know
more than you and seem to want to help.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But, don’t forget, no one is really ever “safe” in the ways you’re
hoping to find safety.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Someone:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“What if______________”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“No one knows.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Someone:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Will things ever be normal again?”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Me:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I read a saying I’ve grown to love that would
fit nicely here:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Normal is just a
setting on the washing machine.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Reader’s Digest</i>) <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">One person’s
normal is another person’s abnormal. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">-<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">I’m not
thrilled to realize every change will not seem wonderful, but my course is set
to forge ahead expectantly.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">Things will
never be exactly the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things change
continuously. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 107%;">They always
have. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They always will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p align="center" class="MsoFooter" style="tab-stops: 184.35pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 8pt;">(<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Answer</b> to
Odd One Out challenge:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The man on the
right is slightly larger.)<o:p></o:p></span></p><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><p></p>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-17307119376054452162020-07-30T09:23:00.000-07:002020-07-30T09:23:29.761-07:00SEVENTEEN SISTERS (I counted)<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4Qaa2l4DBmPTvIoy1L9zHoJVDOLJIcILE2u5NBgEGJUoeAFNpi-6v8NEk59BKDqJx4-7dZCLkS_aFPywm4nPV2EReMbsngEplTPBjtDK9YUwTKhQjSfAz2XykWuEDYFz1zma3iZm2w/s281/17+sISTERS.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="58" data-original-width="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4Qaa2l4DBmPTvIoy1L9zHoJVDOLJIcILE2u5NBgEGJUoeAFNpi-6v8NEk59BKDqJx4-7dZCLkS_aFPywm4nPV2EReMbsngEplTPBjtDK9YUwTKhQjSfAz2XykWuEDYFz1zma3iZm2w/s0/17+sISTERS.jpeg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">This is a story about Seventeen women, (widows and singles).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some knew each other.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some didn’t.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their intent was to study through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">31 Days of Praise</i> by Ruth Myers (died 2007) and her husband, Warren
Myers who is also gone from the earth (Died 2001).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Surprise! Surprise!<span>
</span>God was there!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Some women spoke.<span>
</span>Many really. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Their love and believable relationships with our Lord was
made obvious.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I liked it!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Still, I had my doubts.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Having read the “assigned” (strike 1) reading in the book
($5) I had mixed feelings.<span> </span>I had been
reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Pursuit of Holiness</i> and that
author had been a “Navigator” (so was Mr. Myers). I wasn’t familiar with that
group, but my dear friend, Sharon said her Dad, and I think her Mom too, was
connected to something the Navigators were a part of.<span> </span>So, that was enough for me to maintain a
glimmer of hope I might learn something worthwhile.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Anyway, The Holiness book wasn’t looking too promising after
4 chapters.<span> </span>There were inconsistencies
and lots of “you must’s.” The biggest faux-pas was, “If you (fill in the blank)
__________, you might not be saved.”<span>
</span>Yikes!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">So, I’m saying strike 2 going in.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">However, as my gentle, and wise Savior does so often, He
toned me down enough to see through the troubling wording of “the book”, and He
touched two dear sister’s hearts (who led the group) to reach through the
offensive wording and pull out the essence of what the material said, which was
divine.<span> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It said, (in essence), “You can be closer to God, and more
like what He planned for you. <span> </span>This book may
help.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I committed to the entire 6 weeks!<span> </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thanking, once again, our Heavenly Father, and fully expecting
much from these sisters I’ve just been acquainted with, and of course, the
precious one I already knew.<span> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">a few
months later…</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The study group didn’t disappoint, which for me was a
miracle.<span> </span>I seem to hold people and
groups who claim to know our Savior to such very high standards, I’m almost
always disappointed.<span> </span>But, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">not</i> this time!<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Lovingly, <span style="font-family: "Esenin script One"; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Linda</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: small;"><font face="Esenin script One"> </font></span></p>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-82584941920261796042020-06-24T06:50:00.000-07:002020-06-24T06:50:16.714-07:00SAY, WHA?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Bradley Hand ITC"; font-size: 36.0pt; line-height: 107%;">SAY,
WHA?</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW7G-UKOLDQnCWtKSEsAVKLU3Dm2hRMcbDa8Ju6kJMmqMLFDZl4ZCZdZraNPsB7tSAPaNenBG5OSMs_aKJRiCDOkQg0bh22pouR0MF8Pxd9A77HPQQngznkTz7mEPlmuS2BaqlwBqgA/s1600/Say+Wha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="166" data-original-width="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifW7G-UKOLDQnCWtKSEsAVKLU3Dm2hRMcbDa8Ju6kJMmqMLFDZl4ZCZdZraNPsB7tSAPaNenBG5OSMs_aKJRiCDOkQg0bh22pouR0MF8Pxd9A77HPQQngznkTz7mEPlmuS2BaqlwBqgA/s1600/Say+Wha.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
Here’s
a good one to ponder. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
“Disinterested
benevolence.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
Completely
foreign in concept, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s
because it’s heavenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
Just
to make sure we’re on the same page, I’m talking about doing something
benevolent (generous, kind, thoughtful<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">+.</b>)
and then forgetting all about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
It
sounded super weird to me at first, but on further consideration, I could see
something admirable in it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, of
course, I determined to give it a go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
I
found I was right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is super
weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Know what was inconspicuously
missing?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I mean I wasn’t taking into account how I
might benefit, or how I might lose something if I (<u>fill in the blank) ed</u>.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
So,
I managed to send myself on an imaginary hike somewhere, and was more or less
benevolent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admit it was in a small
way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I sleuthed about so successfully, not even I
could have recounted the impact of my mini-benevolence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be told, I do remember it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, forgetting has happened here and there
as I continue to sleuth about looking for times I might commit these
“disinterested benevolent” acts, I think I’m getting better at forgetting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">has</i>
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
I
LIKED IT!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
As
with most new behaviors, I am finding new ways to be disinterestedly
benevolent, and new blessings from perfecting this “super weird” behavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an ongoing adventure, one of my favorite
things!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
I’m
having trouble coming up with examples to tell you, as to aid in your own
adventures, because (of course) I’ve forgotten most of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But, I do remember one I re-use from time to
time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
This
wasn’t really my own idea, except maybe for the last part, but you may have
heard occasionally someone in line (usually at a fast-food restaurant
drive-through) pays for the order of the car behind them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
Well,
that’s an example, only in this case, you don’t check their reaction in your
rear-view mirror, and you tell the ole’ memory to forget what just
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Isn’t that a blast?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoHeader" style="line-height: 107%; margin-bottom: 8.0pt; tab-stops: .5in;">
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<br /></div>
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Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-36662379895657263532015-03-25T08:31:00.001-07:002015-03-25T08:31:03.654-07:00Writin' ain't what it used to be<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzIl3fRw9QSHnE2ZTDZS4CAhf5LpBxfmU-Lcja8p8FNCiatIELle_ao1TYyKg_0E-EhQAYTnScghs_cQJ3eSrImBgJfIblDMSl_YomFU4McK3ohk1vvSjwjj93SkQ2dAjmreKTqE78Q/s1600/mosquito.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFzIl3fRw9QSHnE2ZTDZS4CAhf5LpBxfmU-Lcja8p8FNCiatIELle_ao1TYyKg_0E-EhQAYTnScghs_cQJ3eSrImBgJfIblDMSl_YomFU4McK3ohk1vvSjwjj93SkQ2dAjmreKTqE78Q/s1600/mosquito.jpg" /></a>Today, as I searched for a publisher, I came across Blazevox Books. These publishers narrow down writing requirements to a simple criteria today's writer's might really understand. Well, I do. <br />
<br />
Their criteria, and I quote, "...your work must not suck."<br />
<br />
Reference page 230 of Writer's Market 2015<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-74255378503345853892013-01-30T16:32:00.000-08:002013-02-11T16:57:18.487-08:00Many Uses for Milk<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN6ztR81u21OaPeZ7SyN0i4EvdrWAvxmHxhcGbOGMaDroqHJJENjg7FdEgrjymQ2vQJ2LlqfDgfZtvbhxEagtEpuPFOeO8D6uTrJKoGSTr0L6OvsdA4D0Jn2AyDeT7UAkPGLCMErklA/s1600/milk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaN6ztR81u21OaPeZ7SyN0i4EvdrWAvxmHxhcGbOGMaDroqHJJENjg7FdEgrjymQ2vQJ2LlqfDgfZtvbhxEagtEpuPFOeO8D6uTrJKoGSTr0L6OvsdA4D0Jn2AyDeT7UAkPGLCMErklA/s200/milk.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Lately, I have been enjoying the many wonders of plain old
milk. It started when my path crossed
not one, but two dear women from India who made yogurt almost daily. I found out many people from India do. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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When I tasted it, I asked one of them how they did it. Wow!
It’s easy! So, I’ve been making
my own for a couple years now. It’s less
expensive, and more delicious, and very kind to my inner-workings. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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From the yogurt, I've made smoothies, soft cheese (similar
to cream cheese) and of course regular and Greek-style yogurt. I’m getting ready to make some flavored
yogurt for my husband. I’m planning to
try peach first.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Since my openness to make-it-yourself yogurt, I've become
aware of several other dairy products that don’t look too intimidating. A quick Google search turns up homemade
mozzarella, sour cream, ricotta, cottage cheese, kefir, buttermilk, and of course
butter. I did do the butter…it’s also
gratifying. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Of course, all I have to do is go to a dairy department and
I could find most of these dairy products, but what’s the fun in that? <o:p></o:p></div>
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My personal method is a combo from several posts I've read,
and You-Tube video’s I've watched, people I've talked to about it, and tweaks I
developed after having done it myself. <o:p></o:p></div>
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To get my recipe for homemade yogurt just click here more…<o:p></o:p></div>
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For your first batch, you’ll need a little yogurt (about 4
Tablespoons). It is important for it to
have live cultures in it. I used Dannan
plain yogurt and it worked great. After
your first batch, you can save about 4 Tablespoons of your own yogurt and use
that instead of store-bought.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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You’ll need a heavy saucepan. I use a three-quart one, and fill it about ½
of the way with milk. I use either whole
or 2% milk, but I’m pretty sure you can use any kind.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Heat milk to a temperature between 170 and 180 degrees. I use a candy thermometer clipped to the side
of my saucepan. It’s important for the
metal bulb of the thermometer to be toward mid-depth, to get an accurate
reading. I shoot for 175 degrees. It’s easy to read on my thermometer. I like using a wooden spoon to stir it
occasionally. It is important for the
bottom not to become scorched. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Remove from heat and let milk cool to between 105 and 110 degrees.<br />
<br /></div>
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If you remembered to bring your starter yogurt to room
temperature, you can stir in 4 or more tablespoons
of it now. If you didn't remember, you
can “temper” it by pouring about ½ cup of the milk into the starter yogurt and stirring it
well. Then, add it to the heated
milk. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Now the mixture must cure.
It’s best to have a warmish area for this. I accomplish my warm area by turning on my
oven light and setting the pot on an oven rack.
Yes, I close the oven door. I keep the pot uncovered so condensation doesn't form and drip back on the mixture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So, that’s really it, except for waiting 6—8 hours for the
yogurt to solidify. It’s wonderful—after
the time period--you open the oven and check by sampling a teaspoon or so. It is very yummy, and mild. Ohhh this is my favorite part. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If it’s not sour or solid enough for you, let it set
longer. This is a matter of taste. I think about 12 hours would be all you’ll want
to try. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I put mine right into the fridge after covering the
saucepan. I use my yogurt from the
pan, but I have poured it into glass
jars before the curing time, and that worked well too. I think I read somewhere not to disturb the
warm yogurt too much, so I wouldn't pour it into jars after it firms up. Anyway, becomes quite a bit thicker as it cools in the fridge, so don't worry if yours seems too soft. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I'd love to hear how it goes for you. </div>
</div>
Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-37391861690142883362013-01-23T16:34:00.000-08:002013-01-23T16:34:15.290-08:00I'm a Crackin'<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIg8HlZJwrPRbPoYklwu3z2dX_vO0y09Ck-mNgBnfyqqrJpXYI3vutzfuX_mpslZYDsBlDRBL72jEHeeNiOhUCLriw48EhZRE_1qc9g4xKioDixD-7NvKDySdL0yPxoJQ4EEAEn_Htw/s1600/CRACKED+EGG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnIg8HlZJwrPRbPoYklwu3z2dX_vO0y09Ck-mNgBnfyqqrJpXYI3vutzfuX_mpslZYDsBlDRBL72jEHeeNiOhUCLriw48EhZRE_1qc9g4xKioDixD-7NvKDySdL0yPxoJQ4EEAEn_Htw/s1600/CRACKED+EGG.jpg" /></a></div>
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I <i>am</i> a writer, I <i>am </i>a writer, I <i>am</i>… Oh, fiddle. Is there another fabulous writer who has been
working on a book or two over forty years?
I’m thinking, "Yes." If not, please don’t
disillusion me. However, life-spans
being what they are, I’d better get crackin’.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Which brings me to eggs, that we must crack, which leads
nicely into the book I am going to <i>finish</i>,
I say, <i>finish</i> this year. I've titled it “Feeding Human Beings”, and
yes, silly, it actually is about making food for people—oddly enough.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Do I care that I've just let the zillions of followers I
have know the title of this upcoming thriller?
No. Now, the <i>old </i>me would have talked herself entirely out of letting you, my
faithful reader, in on the scoop. I’d think, “Dear me, now no publisher will
want it. I've spoiled everything.” Ad
nauseum. </div>
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<br /></div>
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The reason I’m mentioning this now is because I've put the ol’
foot down, and will no longer listen to whoever-it-is that has been
discouraging me. The world needs this
book! Well, I can tell you there will be
lots of youngish people who will be happy they get their hands on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s not a traditional type cook-book, oops, I've said too much. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In any case….keep on the lookout for the revolutionary
approach to feeding (<span style="font-size: 8.0pt; line-height: 115%;">you know
what</span>).<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-65024966834074169582012-04-25T06:49:00.002-07:002017-01-24T10:40:30.825-08:00Trouble saying, “No.”?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_HNh57WfyUMKKeIFN8Zu3lpm2NefS-fRsJWw0aXE1mbjVkMkAyHKcDHGlz8kU4XME5kTc_RgblAjIqzB0dUFdL-2SmRKJLHRpu8FlM7fRDCKXtJzmAvkoXV7o2kvfjfwjuG8YFJ1Ug/s1600/no.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM_HNh57WfyUMKKeIFN8Zu3lpm2NefS-fRsJWw0aXE1mbjVkMkAyHKcDHGlz8kU4XME5kTc_RgblAjIqzB0dUFdL-2SmRKJLHRpu8FlM7fRDCKXtJzmAvkoXV7o2kvfjfwjuG8YFJ1Ug/s1600/no.jpg" title="" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 25px; line-height: 28px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ve just come up with a whiz-bang exercise to help
you. It involves a TV. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
1. Using your remote, turn TV on a news, morning, or reality show right at the time the show begins.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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2. With remote still in your hand,
face the screen squarely.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="text-indent: 0.25in;">3. In the middle of the most earth-shattering
statement, speak these words, “No, not right now,” and finish by turning the TV
off. </span><br />
<div style="text-indent: 28px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-indent: 28px;">
Now, isn't that a kick?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-zJ0lyVwkIujEh9t7Oy0T4qor1zcEBfgpbqTPgw3jyfBCnpGgZR97rGqX_Os19bJwKq9JXCOrhigPmFt7tuih7ZvfkjSvST8R1KBgxSfiS-m0wUCWyD5Nr0YpLt7ng8dTLbbU6Ou-A/s1600/victor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-zJ0lyVwkIujEh9t7Oy0T4qor1zcEBfgpbqTPgw3jyfBCnpGgZR97rGqX_Os19bJwKq9JXCOrhigPmFt7tuih7ZvfkjSvST8R1KBgxSfiS-m0wUCWyD5Nr0YpLt7ng8dTLbbU6Ou-A/s200/victor.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
</div>
Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-91138995170396872442012-01-26T14:39:00.000-08:002012-01-26T14:52:20.567-08:00Meet the Virtual Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxsk5EI42kxLeSfyKpF6d14_n11dcccADYtDREjias-wIW7LckvdVff2SMdDjpgxJMKTQ80BBC3ZaLih97aIQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
In the event you are curious about just who I am, here's a little insight. <a href="http://www.blacksburgbelle.com/">To see who the lovely April Bowles is, click this link.</a></div>
<br /></div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-66859396797413493622012-01-04T15:47:00.000-08:002020-06-15T04:10:53.342-07:00Grami's First Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILAUrH74oGQ/TwTgTRD-XHI/AAAAAAAAANQ/XIhHVSTFYf8/s1600/Grami%2527s+first+day2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILAUrH74oGQ/TwTgTRD-XHI/AAAAAAAAANQ/XIhHVSTFYf8/s1600/Grami%2527s+first+day2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charly & Grami</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Hi~ I'm Grami.<br />
<div>
Today is the day I dreamt of. It's the first day I'm spending with my Granddaughter, Charly.</div>
<div>
Mom returned to work. Charly is six months old. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Can you say, "Text message"? </div>
<div>
It's 12:45. Six hours in, and there's been twenty-three of them so far. In addition there have been three voice calls. Dad to me, Me to Dad, Dad to me Dad to me, Mom to me. Mom to me. Me to mom...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Charly has literally not left my sight. She's been either in my arms, within arms reach, or on the TV screen via short circuit.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The television has been on the entire time, because it requires a programmer to turn it on. Mercifully, I found the "mute" button. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This brings me to my reason for writing--I happened to catch a popular morning program with two attractive women engaged in animated conversation. They were quickly joined by a third woman, even more enthusiastic than the first two women. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Since I muted the sound, I was able to gain a different perspective. Smiles gleamed, heads waggled, arms flung.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
"Oh my goodness!," I thought. "That looks like <i>me!"</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
Yikes~ Do we all look alike? Do we gravitate excitedly around any new item, chatter and banter, then make it ours?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I looked over at Charly, who was enjoying gnawing on the face of a doll, and spoke distinctly and adult. "Maybe I can spare her," I thought. "Yes, Charly, that is your doll. Please treat her with respect."</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
She smiled.<br />
<br />
"OOh, r n't you gram's witty snuggli buggi honey-doll?" I squealed, bobbing my head and flailing my arms about.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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</div>
Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-26104301126684068712011-12-14T08:30:00.000-08:002011-12-14T08:30:18.675-08:00Take Your Guitar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfpNRzvj5TV9O-_CYTu_PVy1FKLoW0kUhWEQGte4QO92PJWEQTL6LKRhDt9D_BBZyoQH2C3yzygRj79WbfAwxNNLhnfmloQPwtH7CnEi6-ttvebbKL3598htOf3jiRHfPSnvPAbXqSQ/s1600/Toonies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfpNRzvj5TV9O-_CYTu_PVy1FKLoW0kUhWEQGte4QO92PJWEQTL6LKRhDt9D_BBZyoQH2C3yzygRj79WbfAwxNNLhnfmloQPwtH7CnEi6-ttvebbKL3598htOf3jiRHfPSnvPAbXqSQ/s320/Toonies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My beloved "TOONIES" !</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The Holiday Season is one time people will be glad to see your guitar case! Bring it with you to celebratory gatherings, and practice the G, C and D chords. Why? Because THAT"S ALL YOU'LL NEED to accompany revelers as they belt out familiar carols! <br />
<br />
If you don't believe me, just try it! Choose a three-beat strum and a four-beat strum, then wail away. Oh yeah! It's good!</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-24281891635523131092011-12-10T17:37:00.000-08:002011-12-10T17:42:35.120-08:00Introducing the Needle Art/Fun side of me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbso2U0jNo5f7Li4NIhGFdLa_8YnFVFJZLPHqNCNIf8vTMZ-x5419LsZD5tJJaPwQ51Nzfi62SkKoa2u-d5KnZLs5bVfBpOLMApiE3fUryUxY_kSr4YRTZm9wb3Y4svyxxQ_HPX7Z9kg/s1600/Huckleberry+Logo-small+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbso2U0jNo5f7Li4NIhGFdLa_8YnFVFJZLPHqNCNIf8vTMZ-x5419LsZD5tJJaPwQ51Nzfi62SkKoa2u-d5KnZLs5bVfBpOLMApiE3fUryUxY_kSr4YRTZm9wb3Y4svyxxQ_HPX7Z9kg/s1600/Huckleberry+Logo-small+%25282%2529.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Huckleberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Today, I give you the berries! I mean my sheep. Have I mentioned I am the fortunate mother of wildly talented people? Well, I am. One of them, Joshua Sparkman, has created a delightful herd of cartoon sheep, championed by our Logo sheep, Huckelberry. <br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDA_dTCmFJR_fC7nykQT1DOUFRp8rqj9mPIqNkg8S5S3MgMeImQtsK7OdZUublRBDKeHmHDOdnN7GdCogm-EzUr5ePRKrk_uaTGEwI-oP4YFx-eJKzjOanS_IpYxiEfhTLiWZtPE6Pg/s1600/Honeyberry+with+scarf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoDA_dTCmFJR_fC7nykQT1DOUFRp8rqj9mPIqNkg8S5S3MgMeImQtsK7OdZUublRBDKeHmHDOdnN7GdCogm-EzUr5ePRKrk_uaTGEwI-oP4YFx-eJKzjOanS_IpYxiEfhTLiWZtPE6Pg/s320/Honeyberry+with+scarf.png" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honeyberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These are the berries I spoke of eariler. Today, his special friend, Honeyberry learned to knit! Way cool for a sheep to knit, I know. (Just look at her scarf!) But, there is even MORE. <br />
<br />
She is introducing a revolutionary new approach to knitting/crochet patterns. It's just too fun! It's in ENGLISH. "K2, P7, Sl 2 WYIB", and such is NO WHERE TO BE FOUND! Hooray! <br />
<br />
To get a FREE complete "UP-attern" [up pat turn] (stands for "Uncut Pattern", as in real words)<br />
just e-mail your request to: lsparkman@blacksheepnorthville.com, or request one in the comments below.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-31421797878952544452011-11-29T09:20:00.000-08:002011-11-29T20:44:20.369-08:00My First Official Rant<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<v:shapetype coordsize="21600,21600" filled="f" id="_x0000_t75" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" stroked="f"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"> <v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UcN7eXSgl0bimrXS997KRbLBnuyUW4MCh3y5-xZBXkdn8yfWs_m_p7OKkykS5BOrdnkhtFoRhJjkAvjs_YfNnBpglnzllxW4h_pOFGrtUw0qv_vK81UcePRHn4TtyWopWYKzWjPJ9w/s1600/Rant+lady.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5UcN7eXSgl0bimrXS997KRbLBnuyUW4MCh3y5-xZBXkdn8yfWs_m_p7OKkykS5BOrdnkhtFoRhJjkAvjs_YfNnBpglnzllxW4h_pOFGrtUw0qv_vK81UcePRHn4TtyWopWYKzWjPJ9w/s1600/Rant+lady.png" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GJcPM8P7tYLcWBsVY4Bp7KF2ErH1r_sXxEiGgZ9uEW2zTd1CWHDrYaPkLtQ1CkgwpUtzU6SaJiAt0JNKKjYCHBPQcPNLprY-QU2GgrAJHVkFy9bQhv4-Y3w7NquSF5Y973uEBfPvJA/s1600/angry+g%2527mi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3GJcPM8P7tYLcWBsVY4Bp7KF2ErH1r_sXxEiGgZ9uEW2zTd1CWHDrYaPkLtQ1CkgwpUtzU6SaJiAt0JNKKjYCHBPQcPNLprY-QU2GgrAJHVkFy9bQhv4-Y3w7NquSF5Y973uEBfPvJA/s1600/angry+g%2527mi.jpg" /></a><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;">Happy Days</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">are here again…I hope! I’ve been on a virtual dark place for several
days. It started when I decided a
business person like myself should not have “.blogspot.com” as part of their
wonderful blog address. U G H. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">First, I spent way too many hours on the phone with or
w-a-i-t-i-n-g on h—o—l—d with my web hosting company, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bizland</i> with NO success. They are losing points with me quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Secondly, I spent way too many hours reading complicated
jargon about redirecting and what-not, with no real success either.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIliX6uwGjdIVTvBT8wwWBioqkpCWFGVOlRAUm_PSniYmkOvurc4TfdA-OBmLI3Qx8jVbC0HLeowMv2xtfu-Z6t0zzHwOblYX3ilhas7z2wjGKf3YyaGG6yvZI7A6_fFQrDSGIx-OHSQ/s1600/Money-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIliX6uwGjdIVTvBT8wwWBioqkpCWFGVOlRAUm_PSniYmkOvurc4TfdA-OBmLI3Qx8jVbC0HLeowMv2xtfu-Z6t0zzHwOblYX3ilhas7z2wjGKf3YyaGG6yvZI7A6_fFQrDSGIx-OHSQ/s320/Money-tree.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thirdly, the wonderful world of “Word Press” completly republished my site with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">their</i> name
plastered all over every page—not acceptable, or accessible. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">And, so, whether the “blogspot.com”
makes me look like an amateur or not, I’m quite pleased with it for now. --What did I expect for virtually no monetary
outlay? Ah, one day, far, far away… </span><v:shape alt="Description: http://www.tw3o.com/wp-content/uploads/money-tree.jpg" id="Picture_x0020_5" o:spid="_x0000_i1025" style="height: 188.4pt; mso-wrap-style: square; visibility: visible; width: 188.4pt;" type="#_x0000_t75"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">
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</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-10412807092615465592011-11-11T09:45:00.001-08:002011-11-11T10:53:57.150-08:00HYDROGEN PEROXIDE GETS STAINS OUT OF MY CARPET SINGLE-HANDEDLY IN 2 QUICK STEPS<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_8Z4dnl75WbQnN55u6dE-KvtjNjOPrxOUdwtfJZS1BLav_Lt9nayeXY0kLygGxUFgAUdayKeP0YYg_ALmxErbKOd2TFB10EC9NlR4d7sgSJfsEQwX8hc2yjz7MKvsU6KTQ5cCG4OGw/s1600/dog+urinating+on+couch" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_8Z4dnl75WbQnN55u6dE-KvtjNjOPrxOUdwtfJZS1BLav_Lt9nayeXY0kLygGxUFgAUdayKeP0YYg_ALmxErbKOd2TFB10EC9NlR4d7sgSJfsEQwX8hc2yjz7MKvsU6KTQ5cCG4OGw/s200/dog+urinating+on+couch" width="195" /></a><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "Edwardian Script ITC"; font-size: 28.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Hydrogen
Peroxide</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: 28pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span>gets out pet stain and odors from my carpet,
along with those mystery dots from who knows where. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kroger sells a nice flip top jar for a great price. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiqVire1KnqIQeGtiNKvpnyEgEff9TPEs114OwHZgPwOiPry-5Lbek-I_j4Aetq204X9kYctZ_IQBlOukYrAsgOIQzL9apK2R6F3VePsXN191lSS64muvwPVumpeAcP6gJGt2KaQ-HA/s1600/peroxide" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyiqVire1KnqIQeGtiNKvpnyEgEff9TPEs114OwHZgPwOiPry-5Lbek-I_j4Aetq204X9kYctZ_IQBlOukYrAsgOIQzL9apK2R6F3VePsXN191lSS64muvwPVumpeAcP6gJGt2KaQ-HA/s1600/peroxide" /></a></div>
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<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li> If obvious moisture is on carpet, absorb it
first. <i>(Note to newbies: Do not force
moisture deeper into the carpet by rubbing.
Instead, lay an absorbent cloth or paper over the wet area, and then
step on cloth or paper until moisture is absorbed.)</i></li>
<li> I just
open the top and squirt liberally. </li>
</ol>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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No wiping, no anything.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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When it’s dry (might take a day or two, depending on size of
stain), if stain remains, or comes back, simply repeat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Eventually (usually no more than 2 or 3 applications) stain
is g o n e! <o:p></o:p></div>
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The odor disappears too!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: 38px; line-height: 43px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">...................</span>Linda (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; font-size: large; line-height: 43px;">I'm not affiliated with Kroger, any brand should work. )</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Edwardian Script ITC'; line-height: 43px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></span></div>
<a name='more'></a><div class="MsoNormal">
Exactly <i>why</i> this
works, only the Lord knows, but I found a possible explanation at <i>Educate-Yourself.Org</i>, <w:sdt citation="t" id="1109547954"><!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>CITATION DrD03 \l 1033 <span
style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->(Williams 2003)<!--[if supportFields]><span style='mso-element:
field-end'></span><![endif]--></w:sdt>from some doctor guy. It seems hydrogen peroxide is a very common
substance. In fact it’s almost
water. I said <i>almost</i>—DO NOT GO DRINKING IT!!!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The stuff we buy has yucky additives anyway, but pure hydrogen
dioxide ingestion can be FATAL.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now that we’ve got that out of the way, what it is, is:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Water with an extra
atom of hydrogen</b>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chemically: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>H2O2 </b> (Water is H2O, remember?)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If I correctly understand the gist of what Dr. David G.
Williams says in his article, the extra hydrogen comes from “O3” (ozone). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<br />
If any substance is interesting, it's hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide
should really be called hydrogen dioxide. Its chemical formula is H2O2. It
contains one more atom of oxygen that does water (H20). By now everyone's aware
of the ozone layer that surrounds the earth. Ozone consists of three atoms of
oxygen (03). This protective layer of ozone is created when ultraviolet light
from the sun splits an atmospheric oxygen molecule (02) into two single,
unstable oxygen atoms. These single molecules combine with others to form ozone
(03). Ozone isn't very stable. In fact, it will quickly give up that extra atom
of oxygen to falling rainwater to form hydrogen peroxide (H202)<o:p></o:p></div>
<w:sdt docparttype="Bibliographies" docpartunique="t" id="221797927" sdtdocpart="t">
<h1>
Bibliography<o:p></o:p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></h1>
<w:sdt bibliography="t" id="111145805">
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: .5in; text-indent: -.5in;">
<!--[if supportFields]><span
style='mso-element:field-begin'></span><span
style='mso-spacerun:yes'> </span>BIBLIOGRAPHY <span style='mso-element:field-separator'></span><![endif]-->Williams, Dr. David G. "The Many Benefits of
Hydrogen Peroxide." <i>Educate-Yourself.</i> July 17, 2003.
http://educate-yourself.org/cancer/benefitsofhydrogenperozide17jul03.shtml
(accessed 11 11, 2011).<o:p></o:p><w:sdtpr></w:sdtpr></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</w:sdt></w:sdt><br />
</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-40799507273154784322011-11-09T08:39:00.000-08:002011-11-29T07:58:14.639-08:00Staples Can Hurt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcCwBCkVJ5ubfMZQgjTsLBwUzJR85j-28v1qSqqU7ZNabs3VYbpkcSoLfLft3ov1uYQWESHeKnpgKUR9i0ic6D9U-g-VZWi64wTDpdI_sdAI3QVcIAHy2CTM5AMR8KRGqScq7GQ58w/s1600/choking+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgRcCwBCkVJ5ubfMZQgjTsLBwUzJR85j-28v1qSqqU7ZNabs3VYbpkcSoLfLft3ov1uYQWESHeKnpgKUR9i0ic6D9U-g-VZWi64wTDpdI_sdAI3QVcIAHy2CTM5AMR8KRGqScq7GQ58w/s320/choking+lady.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Edwardian Script ITC"; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">On my way</span> to find out just how dangerous the <b>metal staples</b> on my prescription bags
(and CHINESE FOOD CARRY-OUT BAGS!) really were, I happened across a
comprehensive document on safety writing for the Hospitality Institute of
Technology Management.<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> (C&F:homecook/home-2006-2col-clr-forpdf-
rev 10/30/08 print 10/30/08 © HITM 1994 Jun 06 edition 2006)</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUFxDFuEIm2ZAi84ssVc2uquHLmt19BeMI0e22CvuNSFxp1zk9N3HslsJdzq_PRGQxk_JgJpt6dyAgnaPdvRtu_eomrEmRrAJImmxs9112_DvAANgvuresbITVAApfH-jEY1N93FPKA/s1600/staple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUFxDFuEIm2ZAi84ssVc2uquHLmt19BeMI0e22CvuNSFxp1zk9N3HslsJdzq_PRGQxk_JgJpt6dyAgnaPdvRtu_eomrEmRrAJImmxs9112_DvAANgvuresbITVAApfH-jEY1N93FPKA/s200/staple.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: 14pt;">In
short</span>, staples can hurt people by poking and/or scratching their
fingers, or other body parts, and yes, people do swallow them, or pieces of
them, by mistake—ouch! The most
outstanding thing I learned is, according to the article:<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 1in 0pt; text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> “Insurance companies pay more money for mouth
and throat injuries due to hard foreign objects in the food than for any type
of food borne illness.” </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 1in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eotL_V8gzeLDbWYawq1VYhd3UqnJ5blJdWnEnGYlwa7IvBb5coSRw9l-w2PJYWyZ7Se49cHsebCZDov_ZtcmOSQ3xtr1UpFSgU12H6GuYkzCnPKnFqRIZG-O6BqUg4OQkMtuXU_9oA/s1600/Swingline-stapler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="144" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eotL_V8gzeLDbWYawq1VYhd3UqnJ5blJdWnEnGYlwa7IvBb5coSRw9l-w2PJYWyZ7Se49cHsebCZDov_ZtcmOSQ3xtr1UpFSgU12H6GuYkzCnPKnFqRIZG-O6BqUg4OQkMtuXU_9oA/s200/Swingline-stapler.jpg" width="200" /></a>The article goes on to say the reason for this is because of
how easy it is to determine injury cause for these cases. My input is, I was right! Staples in a kitchen <i>can be </i>a problem.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, the article also warned against one of my
favorite all time products<b>… “Metal scrub
pads should not be used for cleaning pots and pans and other surfaces, because
the fine pieces of metal may get into the food.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i> Rats!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hi-tm.com/1908/SECTION-1-D-1908.pdf">http://www.hi-tm.com/1908/SECTION-1-D-1908.pdf</a> (shorter version)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.hi-tm.com/homeprep/Home-2006-2col-forpdf.pdf">http://www.hi-tm.com/homeprep/Home-2006-2col-forpdf.pdf</a> (The entire document)</span></div>
<div class="MsoBibliography" style="margin-left: 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">C&F:homecook/home-2006-2col-clr-forpdf- rev
10/30/08 print 10/30/08 © HITM 1994 Jun 06 edition. "Food Saftey Hazards
and Controls For the Home Food Preparer." <i>Hospitality Institute of
Technology and Management.</i> June 2006. http://www.hi-tm.com/homeprep/Home-2006-2col-forpdf.pdf
(accessed 11 9, 2011).</span></div>
</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-74956997589007931642011-11-08T11:57:00.000-08:002011-11-08T11:58:05.834-08:00Here Goes....<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOd3Inr65uj0zkHsnNaK3CVyAcCTp0gKDps-WpgtDD6cn6G8I-GE_M5LOn0liuv6xPL192OBCMvLsi12uFdqMIeE8OojLSQmOW56PIR6_CDm8hltaNQw-mXb0GqjuecvHVy5YYNlblQ/s1600/eye+with+magnifying+glass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOd3Inr65uj0zkHsnNaK3CVyAcCTp0gKDps-WpgtDD6cn6G8I-GE_M5LOn0liuv6xPL192OBCMvLsi12uFdqMIeE8OojLSQmOW56PIR6_CDm8hltaNQw-mXb0GqjuecvHVy5YYNlblQ/s1600/eye+with+magnifying+glass.jpg" /></a></div>
...we shall see how this pans out. I've got so much to say, and who knows how much time left to say it! I plan to post interesting things related to the business side of me (I am a Serial Entrepreneur---and <i>yes</i> there is such a thing.) here at Linda Sparkman's Blog. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Additionally, I plan to post items more specific to Needle Arts on my blog titled "Black Sheep Northville". There may be a little cross over, but that is my life. I'll do my best to keep reader's from wasting their priceless time. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Thanks</span> a lot for visiting. </div>
</div>Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4525639381422525397.post-55760538856867481032011-11-08T09:50:00.000-08:002011-11-08T09:54:50.685-08:00Initial Test<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIN6kUaI47CwulxDVl78oyK44BCec2gi8IUdEHvG8upXQvtGtkurvtC0AHpKOzwxBnKtu6EY8s_DvpuDWoLCrmTCVa7f5OW-R3jfwRBuAIyVykNiFkOR1Rs4KAseCIV9sYtYl6vwDQQ/s1600/Goose+B.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUIN6kUaI47CwulxDVl78oyK44BCec2gi8IUdEHvG8upXQvtGtkurvtC0AHpKOzwxBnKtu6EY8s_DvpuDWoLCrmTCVa7f5OW-R3jfwRBuAIyVykNiFkOR1Rs4KAseCIV9sYtYl6vwDQQ/s320/Goose+B.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672684650408804930" /></a><br />This is a test. It is only a test. There is no need to adjust your settings, or run for cover, or anything like that. I will go away now. Bye.Huckleberryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07155800474056550347noreply@blogger.com0