tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69470645116887294242024-03-14T02:20:39.340-04:00Tina's Odds & EndsTina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.comBlogger75125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-73911563386291787352013-04-07T13:38:00.000-04:002013-04-14T20:14:45.650-04:00Butternut Squash & Carrot Soup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaeUYRzIMNg/UWGuYd6VKYI/AAAAAAAAElE/FFkf0dgzR9g/s1600/1-IMG_7542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QaeUYRzIMNg/UWGuYd6VKYI/AAAAAAAAElE/FFkf0dgzR9g/s1600/1-IMG_7542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Simple,slightly sweet, creamy soup.*</span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Makes 4 cups</span><br />
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<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">2 Tablespoons
oil</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">(olive, canola)</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
1 1/2 Tablespoons
grated ginger root</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
1 small onion
(chopped)</div>
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4 cups butternut
squash (chopped)</div>
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1 cup carrots
(chopped)</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
1 1/2 teaspoon
ground cinnamon</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
1/2 teaspoon ground
cloves</div>
<div style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11.0pt; margin: 0in;">
1/2 cup Almond
coconut milk (or milk or cream of your choice)</div>
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On medium heat, heat
oil in a medium pot. Sauté onions and ginger root for a few minutes, add carrots
and squash. Sauté for a few more minutes. Add just enough water to almost cover
the vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until vegetables are
soft. Carefully blend in blender until smooth. Return to pan. Add milk and
heat. I drizzled some almond/coconut milk and sprinkled cinnamon over my soup. Sprinkle some shredded coconut and cinnamon on top, if you have it. That is what I would have done! </div>
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* This recipe is easily tweaked. Play with the spices to see what you like. </div>
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<br />Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-75280428186375806602011-08-19T15:43:00.000-04:002014-02-15T19:25:17.479-05:00Salty Taste, Eyedrops, Vitamins and Vegans<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymo9DzCrg_c/Tk629r60OBI/AAAAAAAAEX8/7VMFMPhvZng/s1600/IMG_6650.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ymo9DzCrg_c/Tk629r60OBI/AAAAAAAAEX8/7VMFMPhvZng/s320/IMG_6650.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Lovely Summer Evening</td></tr>
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One thing the Internet has changed is that it is more likely when you find the answer to one question, you will stumble on the anwer to other questions that you didn't even ask.<br />
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A few weeks ago, my granddaughter, Keely, developed a salty taste in mouth. No matter what she ate, it tasted salty. After a few days, I decided to research it to see if I could find out the reason for this. Good old Google gave me the answer. It turns out there are a myriad of reasons this can happen. The wide range of reasons include diseases, dental problems, dehydration, being vegetarian and using eyedrops. <br />
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Fortunately, in Keely's case, it was a pretty safe bet eye drop use was the culprit. She had something in her eye, but refused to let anyone try to get it out. My daughter got her some eye drops in the hopes that it could be washed out. It took a few days, but it worked. After that, she had no need for the eye drops. And, as my search predicted, after a few days, the salty taste disappeared.<br />
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Since I have been vegetarian for two years moving over on to vegan at the beginning of this month, the vegan reason that popped up in my "salty taste" search caught my eye. Upon reading further, I discovered that vegans are at risk of developing the salty taste due to a B12 and/or zinc deficiency. As I went down the list of foods that provide B12 and zinc, I was relieved to see that walnuts are among the foods that provide zinc. I love walnuts as well as other nuts and seeds.<br />
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The B12 did not look promising at all. The best sources were oysters, fish and other foods that I don't eat. The article recommended B12 fortified foods. I started reading the labels in search of B12. Nothing was very promising until I checked the coconut milk. One glass provides 50% of a person's B12 daily requirement!<br />
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So here I come full circle. If Keely had not developed a salty taste in her mouth, I would not have turned to the Internet to find the reason and subsequently discovered I need to be careful about my B12 and zinc intake!<br />
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By the way, in case you are wondering, the photo has nothing to do with this story. I took it while enjoying a pretty summer evening and thought I would share it. :-)<br />
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Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-45071744508452166572011-08-03T11:04:00.000-04:002011-08-03T11:04:22.076-04:00Happiness Is a New Grandson!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNlRQCnJFtw/TjlhyL9j3tI/AAAAAAAAEWk/B7Z858iA16U/s1600/bobby24.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aNlRQCnJFtw/TjlhyL9j3tI/AAAAAAAAEWk/B7Z858iA16U/s320/bobby24.JPG" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a>I'm beside myself with joy! My grandson, Robert David, was born last weekend. I love you, Bobby. </div>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-72268340699218807482011-07-29T19:36:00.000-04:002011-07-29T19:36:56.171-04:00A Strange Looking Bug<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0I_l0c18Tc/TjNC9yMpBdI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/FFX-kVTqcP0/s1600/IMG_6265.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-w0I_l0c18Tc/TjNC9yMpBdI/AAAAAAAAEVQ/FFX-kVTqcP0/s320/IMG_6265.JPG" /></a> </div>This little critter came in through the front door. Fortunately, they are not usually found in the house. I had no idea what it was. It's a pretty small insect, so I didn't see the strange antennae until after I had downloaded the photo. The antennae made identifcation fairly easly - with the help of Google. It is a type of scarab beetle. The three prongs are but part of many that the beetle can fan out. It was lucky that it was not closed. It may have taken longer to identify. By the way, they use the antennae to "smell" for food.<br />
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Another name for the scarab beetle is dung beetle. Yep, they eat dung as well as carrion and dead plants. Gross, but necessary. Here are a couple of interesting couple of facts I came across. Scarab beetles have been around for 150 million years. They ate dinosaur dung! There are 35,000 different species of scarab beetles that have been identified and it is thought that there are another 15,000 yet to be discovered.<br />
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Those strange antennae really got me curious. I searched a few websites before finding the interesting information. I'm not an entomologist, so I really wasn't looking for a bunch of technical information. It seems only fitting that the website I found that has the most fascinating and fun information is called - <a href="http://www.unl.edu/museum/research/entomology/Scarabs-for-Kids/home.html">Scarabs for Kids</a>! It's a fun website. I'm glad this little critter led me there. I only have one request of the scarab beetle - please stay outside!<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-35898679388279021432011-07-20T21:48:00.002-04:002011-07-20T22:14:17.533-04:00Interesting FactsI follow <a href="http://lansingwbu.blogspot.com/2009/07/how-do-squirrel-proof-feeders-work.html">Wild Birds Unlimited </a>on Twitter. They have tons of interesting articles about birds and other wildlife. Here is a fun fact from an article that explains how weight activated squirrel proof feeders work:<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 11pt;">"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15pt;">But overall it takes over 65 chubby chickadees to equal the weight of one medium squirrel."</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15pt;">Doesn't it just make you smile to think of the sight of 65 chubby chickadees? They are so cute to begin with!</span><br />
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</span></div><div style="margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 15pt;">Click on the link above to read the whole article. It's very informative and and interesting. The blog is here on blogger. It's a great blog!</span></div>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-17289398010139332382011-07-20T14:27:00.001-04:002011-07-20T14:34:46.079-04:00<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UExESjUUmuw/TiceNEc_epI/AAAAAAAAETc/8UuKNABxafM/s1600/IMG_4578.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UExESjUUmuw/TiceNEc_epI/AAAAAAAAETc/8UuKNABxafM/s320/IMG_4578.JPG" /></a> </div><br />
Thought I would start blogging again. I'm not even sure what I want to blog about here. I guess just the Odds & Ends that come to my mind. I have not known how to get started. Today, I realized - why not just jump in? I decided, a photo would be a good ice breaker. I found this one I took last summer of a Great Blue Heron in the little pond out back.<br />
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I love these birds. One time, I happened to be sitting on the deck where I could see a blue heron and my binoculars were in hand. He stayed in the pond hunting frogs for a very long time - two hours and I stayed right there watching. He moved slowly, yet purposefully and patiently. He caught so many frogs I was afraid there would be none left. But of course, there were. I love these bird, and the frogs. Well, that's it for today.<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img align="middle" alt="Posted by Picasa" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" style="-moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; border: 0px none; padding: 0px;" /></a></div>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-23973498321407466742008-09-19T12:50:00.012-04:002011-07-18T17:00:49.702-04:00Skywatch Friday, A Gift and Awards<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SNPbSyaDRyI/AAAAAAAABeE/7x3Qy9ZQXCI/s1600-h/P9050140.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SNPbSyaDRyI/AAAAAAAABeE/7x3Qy9ZQXCI/s320/P9050140.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247779106631927586" /></a><br />
Although I am posting a photo (click to enlarge), I am not submitting it to Skywatch Friday. I don't know if I will be able to visit any of the fantastic blogs that participate, therefore, it doesn't seem right for me to post my url. If you have the time, drop by <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a> and click on some links. This is amazing group of skywatchers -- great photos!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-71536759740493406652008-09-09T19:33:00.015-04:002008-09-09T21:48:27.653-04:00Surprises of Rainy Days<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJKwHf8FI/AAAAAAAABb8/ll2EGW438XM/s1600-h/P6290127.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJKwHf8FI/AAAAAAAABb8/ll2EGW438XM/s320/P6290127.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244170371415928914" /></a><br /><br />We had a lot of rain in July and August, not enough to cause destruction, but just too keep the grass too wet to mow. Two dry days in a row had my husband eager to get on the riding mower and mow down our crabgrass. I decided to take a stroll around the yard before he mowed. <br /><br />First, I wanted to give my grandson a break and fill the front birdfeeder. Much to my surprise, there were beautiful tiny flowers growing around the feeder. I'm guessing that the birds dropped the seeds. I don't know what either of these flowers is called. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKBzF5vRI/AAAAAAAABcs/SpsI83KrTC0/s1600-h/P8090073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKBzF5vRI/AAAAAAAABcs/SpsI83KrTC0/s320/P8090073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244171317107342610" /></a>Each of these small white flowers is smaller than the diameter of a dime!<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJ6J9U69I/AAAAAAAABck/0Pg29aluR3o/s1600-h/P8090069.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJ6J9U69I/AAAAAAAABck/0Pg29aluR3o/s320/P8090069.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244171185806437330" /></a>Each of these blooms is about the diameter of a nickel. I couldn't see the "veins" until I downloaded the photo to my computer.<br /><br />As I walked past the birdfeeder towards the front of our lawn where it slopes down to the road, I was amazed. The first photo in this post above represents a small section of the masses of wildflowers that greeted me. I couldn't believe my eyes. The entire area, which measures about 40 feet across and runs about 15 feet down the slope, was covered in wildflowers. The scene wouldn't fit into a single shot. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJpMiSZ-I/AAAAAAAABcU/uVAXPrj5E10/s1600-h/P6290119.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJpMiSZ-I/AAAAAAAABcU/uVAXPrj5E10/s320/P6290119.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244170894440556514" /></a>Off towards the side was a mass of brown-eyed Susans. I captured a small section here.<br /><br />Then I stood and stared at the mass of flowers. There were many flowers I didn't recognize among the lavender clover, white clover, and Queen Ann's Lace. At first, I thought I was looking at a lot of lavender clover, but closer inspection revealed that most of the lavender blooms were small lavender and white flowers I did not recognize. <br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKKVTnA2I/AAAAAAAABc0/7xf6mQAjtkg/s1600-h/P6290126.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKKVTnA2I/AAAAAAAABc0/7xf6mQAjtkg/s320/P6290126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244171463730594658" /></a>Friends told me they thought this flower is crown vetch. I googled it and sure enough the photos that turned up look just like this.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKUQGLAtI/AAAAAAAABc8/tJ5jJd0kO3o/s1600-h/P8100074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcKUQGLAtI/AAAAAAAABc8/tJ5jJd0kO3o/s320/P8100074.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244171634130748114" /></a>The name of these small yellow flowers is a mystery to me. I love their unusual shape. Very pretty!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJxPOo6TI/AAAAAAAABcc/_DO_3EaQtOs/s1600-h/P8100084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcJxPOo6TI/AAAAAAAABcc/_DO_3EaQtOs/s320/P8100084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244171032602405170" /></a>These grow in other parts of the yard, too. But they make a beautiful part of the wildflower mass. I don't know what they are called. I call them "daisylets" since they look like miniature daisies to me. <br /><br />There were a few other flowers that I didn't do a very good job of photographing. Maybe next year. Dave and I have decided the slope won't be mowed. I hope you enjoyed my little tour of the wildflowers. <br /><br />One thing I find very interesting is that we do have an area in the back yard that we have let grow wild for the last three years because it provides a nice space for the the birds to forage and get out of the elements. Most of the plants and wildflowers that grow there are different from those on the slope. <br /><br />Here is a photo of the weedpatch taken from the deck.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcmcHALtFI/AAAAAAAABdE/spbT3QlXEOg/s1600-h/P7120084.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SMcmcHALtFI/AAAAAAAABdE/spbT3QlXEOg/s320/P7120084.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244202555454239826" /></a><br /><br />Here is what the rainy weather this summer has taught us: <br />"Don't Mow, Let the Wildflowers Grow!" :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-91639848581889112052008-08-30T14:12:00.003-04:002008-08-30T14:16:20.962-04:00Hummingbird<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLmN0ekgiVI/AAAAAAAABZs/oV_YqFi5b8k/s1600-h/P8130109.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLmN0ekgiVI/AAAAAAAABZs/oV_YqFi5b8k/s320/P8130109.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240375574121187666" /></a> One of the six hummingbirds visiting the feeders this summer. They are such a joy to watch! (Click the photo to enlarge.) :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-32843697895945355042008-08-29T11:36:00.004-04:002008-08-29T11:45:42.605-04:00Skywatch Friday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLgX3U_O-tI/AAAAAAAABZc/cCjUArTVIjU/s1600-h/P6300095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLgX3U_O-tI/AAAAAAAABZc/cCjUArTVIjU/s320/P6300095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239964405739748050" /></a> This caught my eye because it looked to me like a cloud volcano erupting! Please click photo to enlarge. <br /><br />Don't miss out on beautiful sky shots from all around the world. Visit <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a> Thank you for taking the time to look at my sky photo. I appreciate it. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLgY2SK_MJI/AAAAAAAABZk/dxNpb6WlNKI/s1600-h/swftom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SLgY2SK_MJI/AAAAAAAABZk/dxNpb6WlNKI/s320/swftom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239965487315497106" /></a>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-13410547916994265382008-08-21T16:12:00.005-04:002008-08-21T16:25:48.991-04:00Skywatch Friday<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SK3NyG5N2CI/AAAAAAAABZM/TEMLjIAzl6A/s1600-h/P8160166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SK3NyG5N2CI/AAAAAAAABZM/TEMLjIAzl6A/s320/P8160166.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237068202429503522" /></a><br />Last week these ominous clouds rolled in quite suddenly and brought a real humdinger of a thunderstorm with them! Please click the photo to enlarge. <br /><br />Don't miss out on beautiful sky shots from all around the world. Visit <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a>. Thank you for taking the time to look at my photo. I appreciate it. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SK3Opyh5_UI/AAAAAAAABZU/5ZIVUlwUuSM/s1600-h/swftom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SK3Opyh5_UI/AAAAAAAABZU/5ZIVUlwUuSM/s320/swftom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5237069159035698498" /></a>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com36tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-89472196094709967092008-08-14T23:18:00.007-04:002008-08-14T23:40:24.584-04:00Skywatch Friday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKT2GyXchPI/AAAAAAAABPo/j1X4LHK8dNQ/s1600-h/Friday+August+15,+2008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKT2GyXchPI/AAAAAAAABPo/j1X4LHK8dNQ/s320/Friday+August+15,+2008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234579263371117810" /></a> <i>Please click photo to enlarge. The tiny bugs the dragonflies are after will come into view.</i><br /><br />Last year I wondered where all the dragonflies had gone. I'm pleased to report that they are back. A couple of nights ago, I was amazed to see the dragonflies swarming in the front yard, apparently feeding on tiny bugs that seemed to be rising from the soil. I wasn't able to get a photo that reflected the great numbers of dragonflies in the yard. They zoomed past so quickly, I felt lucky to get a few in one shot. And luckier still when they rose high enough in the air that I could photograph them against the sky!<br /><br />Don't miss out on beautiful sky shots from all around the world. Visit <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a>. Thank you for taking the time to look at my photo. I appreciate it. :-)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKT2UQ_G5KI/AAAAAAAABPw/iNfGvt3WX0A/s1600-h/swftom.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKT2UQ_G5KI/AAAAAAAABPw/iNfGvt3WX0A/s200/swftom.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234579494928835746" /></a>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-77673603417409702002008-08-12T13:04:00.003-04:002008-08-12T13:15:33.486-04:00An Award from Jo!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKHFCF5gWpI/AAAAAAAABPY/yllsSdfM5jg/s1600-h/from+Jo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SKHFCF5gWpI/AAAAAAAABPY/yllsSdfM5jg/s200/from+Jo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5233680881715010194" /></a><br />Today, I was very pleasantly surprised by receiving this award from <a href="http://jonjdsbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/">Jo at Moodscapes</a>. Her kind and sweet words touched me deeply and certainly made my day. Please drop by her blog. She writes about life's daily ups and downs in a way that leaves you feeling inspired and hopeful. Jo is definitely "good people"! :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-45830591467520035522008-08-08T00:29:00.005-04:002008-08-08T00:40:39.039-04:00Skywatch Friday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJvNaomS8aI/AAAAAAAABPI/s1yjEP8KfTA/s1600-h/P8050076.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJvNaomS8aI/AAAAAAAABPI/s1yjEP8KfTA/s320/P8050076.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232001249579299234" /></a><br /><br />During one of those rare days when it didn't rain recently, I took this photo. The clouds were so lovely. It was really nice to look up and see a blue sky and lovely clouds instead of getting a face full of rain! Please click the photo to enlarge.<br /><br />I'm sorry about the blank last week. I think I must have used the Picasa function the wrong way. I use the blogger upload function this week. Hopefully, the photo will not disappear!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Skywatch Friday</a> to see many beautiful sky photos from all over the world! <br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJvNvzymdiI/AAAAAAAABPQ/2ZrdULsNwRk/s1600-h/swfNEW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJvNvzymdiI/AAAAAAAABPQ/2ZrdULsNwRk/s200/swfNEW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232001613360952866" /></a>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-86766354429503568702008-08-06T11:49:00.005-04:002008-08-06T12:23:42.875-04:00Tina Needs - a MemeThe 'Needs Meme' <br /> <br />I was tagged by <a href="http://smallreflections.blogspot.com/">Storyteller at Small Reflections </a>for this one.<br /><br />This is a very simple but fun meme. Here are the rules: <br />Google your first name with the word needs and post the first 10 results. I included my comments in italics. You don't have to do that if you don't want to. Tag folks if you want. I will leave it to you. If you'd like to do this meme, please let me know so I can read your results.<br /><br />Sweet Tina needs a slower pace. <i>If I move any slower, I might slip into a coma! LOL</i><br />Tina needs a home. To adopt Tina, contact Animal Aid. <i>Hrmmph!!!</i><br />Tina needs to win the Home Depot Contest <i>Weird because I am trying to get Home Depot cards! LOL </i><br />Tina needs your help!!!<i>I need all the help I can get! LOL</i><br />Tina needs prayers. <i>I need all the prayers I can get! LOL</i><br />Tina needs to be seen for you to understand exactly what she had to go through to get where she is today; one hell of a rock diva. <i>ROFL</i><br />Tina needs to get over herself! <i>Oh yes, I am just the most fabulous person, darlings. LOL</i><br />Tina Needs Diet Pepsi!!! <i>Yuck! I do not like diet Pepsi (I do not like green eggs and ham, either!!</i><br />Tina needs to build up her backbone. <i>Hey, I once stood up to a threatening klansman - I backed him down!!</i> <br />Tina needs a blunt and a time out for this Fashion Forum.<i>I don't know how I got into a Fashion Forum. Look my name up in a thesarus. I am an antonym for fashion. LOL</i><br /><br />I had fun doing this. Thank you, Storyteller!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-61972145469731540472008-07-31T19:00:00.002-04:002008-08-03T20:42:46.039-04:00SkyWatch Friday<div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJJC63ZS3jI/AAAAAAAABO4/R-ITIM2A5Qk/s1600-h/P7140076-1.JPG'><img src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJJC63ZS3jI/AAAAAAAABO4/R-ITIM2A5Qk/s320/P7140076-1.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div><i>Please click to enlarge.</i><br /><br />I call this a "Cotton ball sky" because the entire sky looked like a mass of cotton balls. Click this <a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch Friday</a> link to see beautiful skies from all over the world!<br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJJFNVvYN1I/AAAAAAAABPA/DyI_5oFmCTU/s1600-h/swfNEW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SJJFNVvYN1I/AAAAAAAABPA/DyI_5oFmCTU/s200/swfNEW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229318212807046994" /></a>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-24726428742131723182008-07-27T11:48:00.003-04:002008-07-27T11:59:50.720-04:00Please Help Spread the Word<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIyY3TjwO1I/AAAAAAAABOQ/uuWgqLuq_2A/s1600-h/AWARD_Share_the_Love_Nancy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIyY3TjwO1I/AAAAAAAABOQ/uuWgqLuq_2A/s320/AWARD_Share_the_Love_Nancy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5227721343380765522" /></a><br /><ul><ul><ul><ul><ul><a href="http://www.memoirsofamommyblog.com/">Memoirs of a Mommy</a></ul></ul></ul></ul></ul><br /><br />Mary at <a href="http://maryswritingnook.blogspot.com/">Mary's Writing Nook</a> made the following very important post to help spread the word about the vital importance of organ donation. <br /><br /> <blockquote>Nancy at Nancy's Nonsense shared this. It originated with Memoirs of a Mommy who created this award in honor of the donor that saved Noah's Life. Noah is her son, and he had a heart transplant when he wasn't even a month old. This dear little boy just celebrated his first birthday earlier this month!! Her hopes are that in passing this award around, we will create more awareness of the importance of organ donation. Please take a copy of this award and post it with a link back to Memoirs of a Mommy and help promote organ donation.</blockquote><br /><br />Won't you please help spread the word? Click this link to <a href="http://www.memoirsofamommyblog.com/">Memoirs of a Mommy</a><br /><br /><b>Thank you!!</b>Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-29666862980516147462008-07-24T20:44:00.007-04:002008-07-24T21:02:34.808-04:00SkyWatch Friday!<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkiMoy_alI/AAAAAAAABOA/sitIVfb24hM/s1600-h/swfNEW.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkiMoy_alI/AAAAAAAABOA/sitIVfb24hM/s200/swfNEW.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226746443045235282" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkjea2qzuI/AAAAAAAABOI/LtpcsdWl3Pg/s1600-h/Skywatch+July+25+P6210053.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkjea2qzuI/AAAAAAAABOI/LtpcsdWl3Pg/s320/Skywatch+July+25+P6210053.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226747848051838690" /></a><i>Click to enlarge.</i> A storm was moving in, so these last few sun-bathed clouds framed by the dark clouds were a treat!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">SkyWatch Friday</a> - click this link to go to the SkyWatch home. There are hundreds of great sky photos posted from skywatchers all around the world. It's great!!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-30807007786983873182008-07-24T20:19:00.004-04:002008-07-24T20:36:29.073-04:00I've Been Doubly Honored!<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkfpaKOyaI/AAAAAAAABNo/JsAyg6019Y8/s1600-h/fromStoryteller+Brillante+Weblog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SIkfpaKOyaI/AAAAAAAABNo/JsAyg6019Y8/s200/fromStoryteller+Brillante+Weblog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226743638797502882" /></a><br />I have been doubly honored with this beautiful award from <a href="http://sacredruminations.blogspot.com/">Storyteller of Sacred Ruminations</a> and <a href="http://pattispantry.blogspot.com/">Patti of Patti's Pantry</a>. You probably also know that Storyteller has another great blog - <a href="http://smallreflections.blogspot.com/">Small Reflections</a> and that Patti has another great blog - <a href="http://nonnasnews.blogspot.com/">Nonna's News</a>. If you haven't dropped by their blogs, do yourself a favor and drop on by! You will be glad you did. <br /><br />Storyteller and Patti, I really appreciate this award. Thank you for your thoughtfulness and kindness!!<br /><br />Here are the rules that accompany this award:<br />Once an award is received,the rules are as follows:<br />1. Put the logo on your blog<br />2. Add a link to the person who awarded you<br />3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs<br />4.Add links to those blogs on your blog<br />5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blog<br /><br />I'm afraid I just can't single out seven people. All my blogging buddies are fantastic! Dear Blogging Buddies, please know I would love for you to have this award - so please scoop it up if you would like it!! :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-21497646803745415892008-07-17T19:30:00.001-04:002008-07-17T23:56:58.162-04:00Sky Watch Friday<a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SH9m1SWDQEI/AAAAAAAABNg/5X3nKjRtXaM/s1600-h/sky%2Bwatch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SH9m1SWDQEI/AAAAAAAABNg/5X3nKjRtXaM/s320/sky%2Bwatch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224007158416490562" /></a><br /><br /><div style='text-align:center;margin:0px auto 10px;'><a href='http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SH9kLtX-zYI/AAAAAAAABNQ/7zqwwp9IdLY/s1600-h/P7010044.JPG'><img src='http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SH9kLtX-zYI/AAAAAAAABNQ/7zqwwp9IdLY/s400/P7010044.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> </div> <div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div><ul><ul><ul><ul><i>Sunset on July 1 (Click to enlarge)</i></ul></ul></ul></ul><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/">Sky Watch Friday</a> has a great new look. Click the link to check out the beautiful photos of other sky watchers!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-67365650777707530362008-07-16T16:45:00.000-04:002008-07-16T16:45:49.409-04:00Renie's Plant and Mine?<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5kMaXWyrI/AAAAAAAABL4/48u-kWjHQkc/s1600-h/Renies+plant+1+P7030044.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5kMaXWyrI/AAAAAAAABL4/48u-kWjHQkc/s400/Renies+plant+1+P7030044.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219219182567475890" /></a> <i>Click to enlarge. I didn't get a very good photo. It is hard to see the far side of the bush with the weeds and phlox foliage near it.</i><br /><br />Last May, <a href="http://renieburghardtsworld.blogspot.com/">Renie</a> posted an article, <a href="http://renieburghardtsworld.blogspot.com/2008_05_01_archive.html">"A Little of This, A Little of That"</a> that includes a photo of a plant I think looks like a plant in my yard. Only problem is neither of us knows the name of the plant - that is if they are one and the same. Below is a closer view of mine. It only started blooming a couple of weeks ago. But then I am living much farther north than Renie, so I thought that might account for my later blooms. I think we have the same plant. What do you think? <br /><br /><a href="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5kSQW0ptI/AAAAAAAABMA/fql3ydu7JuY/s1600-h/Renie%27s+plant+near+P7030046.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp1.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5kSQW0ptI/AAAAAAAABMA/fql3ydu7JuY/s400/Renie%27s+plant+near+P7030046.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219219282960099026" /></a><i>Click to enlarge. I think I got a better shot with this one.</i><br /><br />After looking at many flower photos on <a href="http://www.grieders.com/images/Shrubs.html/Spirea_Anthony_Waterer.jpg">google images</a>, I stumbled upon Anthony Waterer Spirea bush. I think this is it! It is referred to as a shrub. I don't know what the difference is. It is a compact shrub that flowers and lends "interest to the landscape" according to many of the websites. I think it's pretty and I like it!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-6042306123498281672008-07-11T09:53:00.005-04:002008-07-11T10:13:52.225-04:00Sky Watch Friday<a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdmSrfwijI/AAAAAAAABMg/-pfoudk0mfA/s1600-h/sky%2Bwatch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdmSrfwijI/AAAAAAAABMg/-pfoudk0mfA/s320/sky%2Bwatch.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221754764058987058" /></a><br /><br /><br />Early last evening the sky was empty except for this man-made cloud:<br /><br /><a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdn_zfIAZI/AAAAAAAABMo/pYe96gRLAKc/s1600-h/800+-+blog+P7100079.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdn_zfIAZI/AAAAAAAABMo/pYe96gRLAKc/s400/800+-+blog+P7100079.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221756638809555346" /></a><br /><br />And this heavenly body:<br /><br /><a href="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdoUJ1qGSI/AAAAAAAABMw/hx6V5qV6BzI/s1600-h/800+-+blog+P7100084.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SHdoUJ1qGSI/AAAAAAAABMw/hx6V5qV6BzI/s400/800+-+blog+P7100084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221756988407028002" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://womtig.blogspot.com/">Sky Watch Friday</a> is hosted by Wigger's World. Click the link to check out the beautiful photos of many other sky watchers!Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-52131210814686493202008-07-08T11:51:00.002-04:002008-07-08T11:55:55.195-04:00Quick Shutdown UpdateI finally got a chance to try the keyboard shutdown command on a Vista operating system. I found that I had to go one more step - I had to click on "Enter". So it went like this:<br /><br />Windows Key then<br />press right arrow 3 times<br />then press Enter<br /><br />I don't know if there are variations from on Vista to another. You might want to try this to see if it works on your computer before writing it down and storing it away. <br /><br />Here's hoping you never need it! :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-47754448552132527042008-07-05T15:08:00.002-04:002008-07-05T15:15:45.699-04:00An Award from Linda!<a href="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG_IHAKhSiI/AAAAAAAABMI/HX-nq5a6ceY/s1600-h/super-commenter-award1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG_IHAKhSiI/AAAAAAAABMI/HX-nq5a6ceY/s200/super-commenter-award1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219610515774458402" /></a><br />Linda at <a href="http://thisandthatdiary.blogspot.com/">This and That</a> has given me this delightful "Super Commenter Award"! Thank you, Linda. I really appreciate it. I enjoy visiting your blog very much. Friends, if you haven't visited Linda's blog, please do yourself a favor and stop by. She's a terrific blogger - you will enjoy your visit - I promise! :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6947064511688729424.post-23655465912939645692008-07-04T13:53:00.007-04:002008-07-04T15:53:48.173-04:00A Lesson I Learned the Hard Way<a href="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5j2ubKKkI/AAAAAAAABLw/ZzR8JCjuFsc/s1600-h/monitor+cropped+660+P7040040.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_ldEhjS65Zuw/SG5j2ubKKkI/AAAAAAAABLw/ZzR8JCjuFsc/s400/monitor+cropped+660+P7040040.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5219218809995012674" /></a><br /><br />Last week I was working at the computer and the monitor screen went blank. I tried turning it off and on to see if it would work properly. It displayed for a second, then went blank again. That is when another dilemma arose. I needed to shut down the computer. You would think I could shut it down without having to press the "on" button and hold for a few seconds (which is not good for the hard drive). Alas, I had no idea how to safely shut down my computer. <br /><br />I had to shut it down the bad way. Then I realized that my home network would be brought down without my main computer running. That wouldn't go over well with the rest of the household. The monitor is not necessary for the rest of the network to get online, only the computer itself must be running. I didn't know how long it would be before I could fix or replace the monitor and I wasn't going to shut down each day in the way that could harm the hard drive. <br /><br />The mouse is very handy but only when you can see it. After using a computer all these years, I knew that it could be shut down using the keyboard. I just didn't know how to do it - so I looked it up. In Windows XP the computer can be shut down using these keyboard commands:<br /><br />Windows Key then<br />press the letter u twice<br /><br /><b>or</b><br /><br />Ctrl + Esc then<br />press the letter u twice<br /><br />I've used both methods successfully. I read that some Windows XP systems use the Windows button for another function leaving it useless for a shutdown shortcut. The second method has no such problems.<br /><br />I found these directions for Vista but have not verified them:<br /><br />Windows Key then<br />press right arrow 3 times<br /><br />If you are like me, not keyboard shortcut savvy, you might want to write these directions down in your password book -- just in case one day you can't see your mouse. <br /><br />It looks like my monitor is really dead. Fortunately, we have an old monitor that we had stored away. We got that out, dusted it off, attached it, and held our collective breath (this monitor is really old) and tah dah - it works! <br /><br />Lesson for me? I think I am going to try very hard to learn keyboard shortcuts beyond copy and paste. :-)Tina Coruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12213204013140850537noreply@blogger.com14