Looks like forsythia but isn't

These are the kind of things I have to look up on the Internet and through a series of extrapolations, I came up with the possible name for the plant down the street - witch hazel. Took a little ten minute walk at the end of a few computer chores and saw witch hazel, crocuses, and snow drops and heard a TON of birds. It was great. Sky is clouding up but it is still warm. I did not wear my coat, just a sweater.

Finished an autobiography I got onto from a reference question. The story of a musical life, was written by George F. Root and originally published in 1891. He passed through our town in 1856 when he participated in three-day musical conventions to encourage the betterment of church music. He wrote songs during the Civil War, such as The battle cry of freedom and Tramp! Tramp! Tramp! Not much info about the Bridgeton convention, but I found the few sentences I found in other sources quite fascinating. So, I sent away for this book from the Wm. Patterson College library and dutifully read it. It wasn't as good as the book written ABOUT him.

Adding to my daily list of things to do:
- Take a photograph (even if just by crappy cell phone)
- Draw a picture in little book
One or the other MIGHT help me to be more creative. Started my little book by sketching a woman I saw on the Ocean City boardwalk carrying a baby on her front.

I've decided that ALL guacamole is good

Having guacamole and birthday cake today. My ability to resist sweets has disappeared. These are the snack choices at work today.

It is a beautiful BRIGHT sunny day. Sun shining on snow makes BRIGHT. Wanted to go for a walk in my snow boots with my ski poles. But I want even more to sit here on my ass working on the computer. Cross country skis broke. Have two pairs of cross country boots and two pairs of skis but not compatible. Was going to use my ski poles as walking sticks but have not as yet.

My mood improves when the temperature approaches the freezing mark (on the way UP that is). We feel like survivors of a horrible experience that is WINTER. OK, it is not over yet, but more reasonable temps coming along. I like it when it freezes only because my ceiling stops leaking. Must go up in the attic and face (or find out about) the facts as it warms up.

Loved the movie Philomena. Had to get to the Mall this week as the slow, thoughtful movies do not last long around here. I keep thinking about it and the slow releasing of details which completed the circle. Very touching. I can still cry thinking about it. Then, last night, saw a film about Gaudi and a film about Louis Nevelson. The Gaudi film was narrated much too rapidly and we didn't even get a picture of him. The Nevelson film was much better as mostly was her talking and creating.

snowing with the sun out

That is the best kind of snow. Just enough to be pretty.

Learned some stuff today. Went to a class on Word basic II. Maybe I should have taken Word basic I, too?
Every program I use, I only know some of the most basic features. Then there are 999 features that really confuse me. So I learned some about tables and pictures and moving stuff about. Good to have a review and learn something new so that my brain doesn't just turn to mush.

Really must go and get some bird seed as the weather is turning cold again. I need some food, too, but I think the birds should take priority.

Finished audio book of Number 10, by Sue Townsend. She is over the top British funny. And I love the way the reader pronounces those British words such as conTROversy and many others I have forgotten now. The gist of this book is when the prime minister of Great Britian goes on a "vacation" with a policeman to try and see how the real people live. He disguises himself as a woman a la Marilyn Monroe and really enjoys it way too much.

Stan with ? subtitles

Looking up the Stan performance at the Grammys with Eminem and Elton John. First one I chose was really poor quality with some kind of Asian language subtitles. How can I like Eminem? The words are abominable!

Finished The Daniel plan : 40 days to a healthier life, by Rick Warren, Daniel Amen and Mark Hyman. A few too many rules for me, but good quotes, good nutrition information, some new exercises and a good quiz, The toxicity and screening questionnaire that I am going to copy. Three health, spiritual gurus got together and developed this plan to lose weight by eating certain foods and exercising and getting together with a group to follow progress.

A difficult day, just with stupid annoyances, nothing major. Was late to yoga (as usual) and found a sign saying it was in ANOTHER building. Then I was REALLY late and when I found it, it was QUITE crowded. Glad I went though. Teacher is so calm and accepting of changes (unlike me). Then got to chiropractor and found appointment was for one half hour later than I thought. Massage therapist was running one half hour behind so I spent hour and a half in there. Oh well, what other urgent stuff do I have to do?

Things I hate right now

People and their habits - snorting, snuffling, making a mess in the bathroom, throwing plastic stuff into the toilet, singing out loud when they have headphones on (in the library), body odor, smoking odor. Right now the sniffling and body odor are going to chase me out of the Millville Public Library.

Things I love right now - Youtube, The story of my life, by One Direction, sunshine.

Can't figure out how to print or cut and paste from books on Google. Perhaps I should join Goodle play although the thought of PAYING for stuff bothers me. Doing historical research about a composer names Root who hosted a three day musical convention in Bridgeton, New Jersey, in March of 1856. Even though there is very limited info (sentences or paragraphs), I get very excited about it.

Why the heck am I blogging?

This is kind of ridiculous. No one reads my blog. So why do I take the time to do it? Perhaps it is just a record of what I have read and done?

Finished The book thief. I have never cried so much while reading a book. It is by Markus Zusak. I read it for a book club. Avoided it for awhile since it is YA. What did I like about it? It was sort of confusing at first, trying to figure out who was speaking. A lot of jumping around (foreshadowing). You get little clues about how long a certain person is going to live. A lot of the book is narrated by DEATH. You find yourself in Germany during the Second World war, feeling kind of sympathetic towards some of the people who live there.

God, this library is annoying! Mexicans being really loud, a young boy emoting while playing some game with headphones on. Other people really annoy me. A library is supposed to be QUIET, for God's sake. Oh, I can't stand it another moment. I must log out and get out of here.

Questions, questions, questions...

Answering too many surveys these days. The census lady called me, got sucked in to answering a whole bunch of questions under the auspices of the "Shopper's voice" through a Facebook link. The come on was "free stuff" but they asked questions about politics, too, leading me to believe that it was all a set up. Logged onto twentythreeandme one day and started answering "a quick question" which turned out to be a BAZILLION quick questions. I finally had to stop because it was never ending. Now I just got done answering questions for the "South Jersey travel survey". Supposed to get $10 for that one. We shall see. I have a weird life and the survey did not accommodate it.

Feeling like a BLIMP today. I brought in some Tastykake chocolate donuts so of course I have been eating them. I know I have to get off of the white flour and sugar. The more you eat the more you want.

Am really getting into the history research. Seems like every week there is some new question to pique my interest.