Bleeding Hearts

Seemed rather appropriate to see these white Bleeding Hearts as I was coming in to work today. They reminded me of my dad, whom I have been thinking of all week. He passed in late September 2001. Today would have been his 80th birthday. Happy Birthday, Dad -- wherever you are!

Thursday Thirteen 152: Trees in Bloom

For all those who are just entering Fall (waves to friends in the southern hemisphere), or for whom Winter is refusing to get out (Sorry Alice!) and let Spring in — a few pictures of flowering trees, photographed on various walks. Except the crabapple. Many of those were taken from the comfort of home. (grin)






























LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Alice Audrey * Adelle Laudan * Ms Menozzi * Hootin' Anni
Darla M Sands * Harriet * Paige Tyler
Elise Logan * Inez Kelley * Tatiana Cladwell


More Thursday Thirteen participants

Teaser Tuesday 32: Pride and Prejudice

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!



Yes, after (xx) number of years in my TBR pile, I have finally got round to reading Pride and Prejudice. And, of course, I am now wondering why I did not read it sooner. Sigh...LOVED IT! What follows is a bit of dialogue between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from early in the book. I confess, what finally prompted me to read it, where multiple movie viewings had not, is the British series currently showing on PBS, Lost in Austen. Absolutely loving it! So far they have aired two of the four episodes.

"There is, I believe, in every disposition a tendency to some particular evil, a natural defect, which not even the best education can overcome."

"And your defect is a propensity to hate everybody."

"And yours," he replied with a smile, "is wilfully to misunderstand them."

(pg 40)

Purple Carpet

A little something to lighten the gloomy, colorless weekend...



A closeup...

Hidden Treasure

Each violet peeps from its dwelling to gaze at the bright stars above.
~Heinrich Heine

Thursday Thirteen 151: Meteorite Lands in Wisconsin!

1. Wisconsin blazed into the news last Wednesday evening on the tail of a meteorite that fell in the southwestern part of the state around 10 pm. Sadly, I was not among the hundreds who witnessed it, which would have been too cool for words.

2. The fireball and subsequent impact sparked a frenzy of 911 calls across six different states. The event was captured on numerous video cameras across the area, by amateurs and pros alike.

3. Most meteorites burn up before landing on Earth, while those that don't fall primarily into oceans (2/3 the Earth's surface) and uninhabited areas. The entry of this meteorite was shallower than most, with an expected debris field of 20 to 80 miles.

4. An estimated 500 meteorites ranging in size from marbles to basketballs reach earth’s surface annually, with only five or six recovered and made known to scientists. Very few are large enough to create craters on impact.

5. Peanut-size pieces of the meteor have been found in fields near Livingston, WI. Five pieces are on display at the UW-Madison Geology Museum through this weekend.

6. The meteorite sightings have prompted an influx of meteorite hunters from across the United States, with more expected from as far away as England over the coming weeks. Hunters are reminded that farms are private property, and permission should be asked before venturing a-field (pun intended).

7. Local scientists believe the original meteor was as big as a car, and that many more fragments could be found across southern Wisconsin. The exploding meteor unleashed as much energy as 20 tons of TNT.

8. Meteor fragments sell for as much as $10 an ounce. Fragments found in Park Forest, IL in 2003 were worth about $500,000 total. A meteor the size of a car could be worth half a million dollars. How would you like to find one of those in your backyard?

9. Meteorites in Wisconsin are quite rare, with only twelve previously documented in Wisconsin history. Shards of seven were recovered and are on display at the UW-Madison Geology Museum.

10. Wisconsin’s meteorite is turning into a teachable moment in many schools around the area. Collectors and experts alike have talked to students during the past week, with many bringing pieces form personal collections to show students.

11. From Wikipedia: A meteorite is a natural object originating in outer space that survives impact with the Earth's surface. Most meteorites derive from small astronomical objects called meteoroids, but they are also sometimes produced by impacts of asteroids.

12. Skywatchers have a chance to see more meteors this week from April 16 to 25, provided skies are clear, when the Lyrid meteor shower should be visible. One could count anywhere from 10 to 20 meteors an hour. Southern states will have the best viewing opportunity. Of course, with rain predicted Friday through Sunday here, we won’t be able to see anything.

13. The Lyrids are among the oldest known meteor showers, dating back nearly 27 centuries, with records as old as 687 B.C. On April 20, 1803, in Richmond, Virginia, it was estimated that there were nearly 700 per hour. In 1922, an hourly rate of 96 was recorded.




LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Janice Seagraves * Alice Audrey * Adelle Laudan * Janet
Colleen * BrendaND * Ms Menozzi * Jill Conyers
Ella Drake * Americanising Desi * Elise Logan * Kaye
CountryDew * Paige Tyler * Harriet * Inez Kelley
Sasha Devlin * Jennifer McKenzie


More Thursday Thirteen participants

One perfect yellow tulip

Photo by Moi

Teaser Tuesday 31: How To Wash A Cat

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!

The stairs appeared even less stable under illumination. The structure shuddered violently as I put my weight onto the top step, and I grabbed onto the trap door, nearly losing my balance.
(pg 34)

This was an okay mystery. Not a five-star, but a decent way to pass a weekend—if for no other reason than the cats, Rupert and Isabella, who positively come to life through the author's descriptions. I would probably give the second book in this series, Nine Lives Last Forever (available in June), a try if for no other reason than to catch up with Rupert and Isabella.

Or maybe I just miss having a cat of my own, LOL.

Book Blurb:
Set in modern day San Francisco—the tale of a Gold Rush legend, a pair of tulip-shaped cufflinks, an enigmatic uncle, a persistently obnoxious neighbor, and, of course, the washing of a cat . . .

Thursday Thirteen 150: Anniversary Edition

In honor of my 150th edition of Thursday Thirteen, here's a look back at a few of the topics I've covered during the last couple years. I've tried to pick some pertaining to this time of year. Click on the links for any you might have missed, or wish to revisit.


Thursday Thirteen 1: Signs of Spring


Thursday Thirteen 5: Places I've Been


Thursday Thirteen 19: The Little Ice Age


Thursday Thirteen 28: Say Cheese!


Thursday Thirteen 52: Spring Cleaning


Thursday Thirteen 54: Spring Quotes


Thursday Thirteen 56: Severe Weather Facts (It's Severe Weather Season)


Thursday Thirteen 60: BratFest (Almost that time again!)


Thursday Thirteen 99: Spring!


Thursday Thirteen 100: Basic Photography Tips


Thursday Thirteen 101: Autism Awareness (April is Autism Awareness Month)


Thursday Thirteen 103: Farmers' Market (Begins this weekend!)


Thursday Thirteen 124: Things to See & Do in Madison, WI

LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Alice Audrey * Kristen * Teaching Money to Kids * Hazel
Mary Quast * Deb * Megan Rose * Jill Conyers * Janet
KS Manning * Hootin Anni * CountryDew * Adelle Laudan
Ms Menozzi * Janice Seagraves * Inez Kelley * Harriet Darla M Sands * Paige Tyler * Tatiana Caldwell Jeanne St James * Jennifer McKenzie


More Thursday Thirteen participants

Teaser Tuesday 30: Plaster and Poison

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!


This was a great third installment to Jennie Bentley's "Do-It-Yourself-Mystery" series. I look forward to reading the fourth!

For a second, the world stood still. The only sound was that of Beatrice's labored steps on the stairs. I turned to her as she got to the bottom. "You didn't mention the gun."

Monday Movie Meme: Couples

This week's movie topic is all about Best Couples...

A couple of weeks ago we talked about Sidekicks. Those pairings in the movies that worked so well to entertain us. This week we're thinking of another type of pairing -- couples in films that left their mark because of their romantic tension, sqaubbling or love connection. Share on your blog couples in film who left their impression on you, linking back at The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!

A few of my picks:

* Annie Reed and Sam Baldwin -- Sleepless in Seattle (1993)

* Kathleen Kelly and Joe Fox -- You've Got Mail (1998)

* Lucy Moderatz and Jack Callaghan -- While You Were Sleeping (1995)

* Sally Albright and Harry Burns -- When Harry Met Sally (1989)

* Elizabeth Bennettt and Mr. Darcy -- Pride & Prejudice (2005)

More daffodils

More daffodils photographed during my walks the week before last. Due to the weather, I did not get out for a walk at all this past week. Well, between the weather (four days of rain and cold) and the fact I somehow strained the muscles in my lower back Thursday. I've spent most of this weekend huddled in pain on the couch. I'd like to say I got a lot of reading done during that time, but was too uncomfortable to read or do much else for any length of time. Feeling a little better today, but not quite ready to face the world again. I dread having to get up for work on Monday. I have the feeling it's going to be a loooooonnnngggg day! Whimper...

Thursday Thirteen 149: Recently Viewed

I gave up cable at the beginning of March. Too expensive right now, and heaven knows the money is better spent elsewhere. As my television is a lot older than thought, this also meant being without TV altogether for about three weeks. Yeah, there was some serious withdrawal. Aside from missing favorite programs and certain cable channels (ie: USA, TCM, ABCFam), what I missed most was the evening news (keeping up with local and national events) and being able to get weather updates 24/7. During my time without television programming, I tried to catch up on a few DVDs, some movies I had recorded, and also enjoyed a few perennial faves. Here's what I've viewed during the past month:

1. The 39 Steps (1935) - Love Hitchcock, but fail to see all the hype surrounding this one.

2. Death on The Nile (1978) - Classic Agatha Christie.

3. Deja Vu (2006) - First viewing. Weird premise, but hey -- it features Denzel.

4. Criminal Minds, The Second Season (2006) - Love this show, and not just because Shemar Moore is easy on the eyes, LOL. Can't believe we're already nearing the end of the fifth season. Its been interesting to re-watch earlier episodes.

5. Psych, Complete Third Season (2007) - Another favorite show, and one I've missed since giving up cable (naturally it's on USA, sniff). Some of my favorite episodes are from the third season. Man, I miss Shawn and Gus.

6. He's Just Not That Into You (2009) - A good rainy day kind of movie.

7. Chocolat (2000) - A favorite "anytime" movie for three reasons: It's about chocolate (duh!), it has an awesome soundtrack, and (of course) it stars Johnny Depp.

8. Notes on a Scandal (2006) - First viewing. I'd been wanting to see this one since it came out. It was...interesting. Dame Judi does devious so well. *shudder*

9. Mary Poppins (1964) - No idea why, but I just felt in the mood for this childhood classic one night.

10. Music & Lyrics (2007) - If nothing else, you gotta love the spoofed 80s music and videos, and Hugh plays the struggling has-been to perfection. Sigh... Fun movie and a great soundtrack.

11. Mamma Mia (2008) - Music & Lyrics put me in the mood for this one; it made for an awesome double feature.

12. Secret Admirer (1985) - Had never seen this one before, which is kind of surprising considering how big my sister was on C. Thomas Howell.

13. Autumn in New York (2000) - Thought I had seen this one before, but apparently not. Good thing there was Kleenex nearby.


LINKS TO OTHER THURSDAY THIRTEENS:
(Please leave your link if this is your first visit!)

Adelle Laudan * Stephanie Adkins * Journeywoman * Brenda
Colleen * Alice Audrey * Janice Seagraves * Janet * Hazel
Ella Drake * Jamie Babette * Hootin' Anni * CountryDew
Jill Conyers * Harriet * Tatiana Caldwell * Sue * Paige Tyler
Jennifer McKenzie * Grandma * Elise Logan * Jana
A. Catherine Noon * Darla M Sands * Sasha Devlin


More Thursday Thirteen participants

Stormy Weather...

This was the view from my front window the last few days. We picked up just over two inches of rain here in Southern Wis. At times it was coming down so hard our parking lot looked like a river. Looks deep enough to paddle through in this picture, but thankfully we experienced no flooding here. Other areas were not as lucky. Windy, cold and damp again today. Dryer tomorrow, but still cold. Yeah, gotta love April in Wisconsin.

To make the weather even more enjoyable (ha!), I have had no heat in my apartment since yesterday morning. I don't know if the "geniuses" who run the place have stupidly turned off the eat already when evening temps are still dropping below 40 (and even below 30), or if it is just my apartment that has ice cold registers, but it did not make for a very comfortable evening. Good thing I have extra quilts I can pile on the bed. However, sleeping with a scarf wrapped around one's neck to ward off the chill is not exactly fun. There better be a temperature change in my place when I get home tonight or someone's head is going to roll. Seriously.


Off to shiver through the work day, despite multiple layers...

Teaser Tuesday 29: Mad, Bad and Blonde

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

* Grab your current read.
* Share a few “teaser” sentences from somewhere in the book.
* BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away. You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
* Share the title and author so that other participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser!


This was a fun read, and I'm not just saying that because I know the author. Cathie's romances always mean a good few hours of escape, and often include hunky men like "former" marine Caine Hunter. Lucky heroine, LOL!

"Why are there beds behind her?" Aunt Lorraine shouted in the background. "I told you I wondered what kind of work she was really doing in Las Vegas. Prostitution is legal there. Tell her it's not legal here in Chicago. Make sure she knows that."

(pg 57)

BOOK BLURB:
After being jilted at the altar, librarian Faith West goes on her Italian honeymoon solo, but doesn't stay that way too long. And though her sexy rebound man, former marine Caine Hunter, has ulterior motives, feelings surface that neither of them are prepared for.

Monday Movie Meme: Ensembles

There are lots of great movies that succeed not because of megastars and lesser known supporting casts, but because of incredible actors working together without any one person taking on a lead role. Share on your blog films with an equally collaborative cast that come to your mind, linking back to The Bumbles. And don't forget to visit your fellow participants!


The Big Chill (1983)

He's Just Not That Into You (2009)

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Peter's Friends (1992)

Happy Easter

Wishing you a day filled with Peeps and Chocolate Bunnies!

Purple Crocus

Dafs in Bloom

Yesterday being unseasonably warm -- we set a new record high of 81F! -- I took a walk around the block last night after dinner. The way my neighborhood is set up, "around the block" translates into two miles, a good workout. I was glad I had remembered to pocket my camera. There were a ton of daffodils in bloom on one corner. I've also seen some purple crocus and early violets, so tulips can't be very far behind. Spring is definitely here!