Just nabbed my 400th follower this morning! WOOHOO!!!
Thanks for tuning in, kids!
Category: Writing
One of the most charming pieces of music ever composed.
A typical day in the late writer’s life:
This blog (as of this moment) has 358 subscribers! Wow, everybody! Thanks for watching!
Also? Just nabbed another new country on the flag counter. Vatican City! WTF?!? How many people live there, like 800? And one of them was looking at my blog! It couldn’t have been… naw.
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 31,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 7 Film Festivals
Courtesy of my excellent friend, Gregg Harris:
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December 01, 2012
Andthrottlethem Blew Crush
Dear Mr. Grinch,
In regards to your letter, your current PPO does not cover ear plugs or sound dampening earphones. Any change of living address may trigger a re-evaluation and possible increase of your monthly fees. Perhaps any singing issues you may have with your neighbors would be better addressed through your local Noise Abatement processes.
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December 21, 2012
Andthrottlethem Blew Crush
Dear Mr. Grinch,
We are sorry to inform you that as of December 24, 2012, Andthrottlethem Blew Crush will be discontinuing your medical insurance coverage. It has come to our attention that you have had a pre-existing medical condition that recurs every December, specifically an enlargement of the heart (three sizes) brought about due to lifestyle choices and anger management issues. Please be aware that we strive to offer our policy holders the best medical attention and that your blatant and recurring disregard to maintain a healthy, happy lifestyle is the primary factor in discontinuing your policy.
In addition, claiming the use of your companion as a “service dog” constitutes fraud and you will be contacted by the ASPCA, the ADA, as well as other appropriate authorities. As the pictures show, at least part of the year the antlers he sprouts clearly indicate some other species than canine, and there is no such classification as “service reindeer.”
Recently I was inspired by one of my own articles to create a terrarium. Living in the mountains, where it snows in the winter and hungry critters roam, I can’t just grow anything I like. But terrariums are so pretty and easy to maintain, I just had to try it out. Got a good glass container from ShopTerrian.com, and the other supplies from a garden center. We have three succulents, plus a Tillandsia. Added a couple of crystals, and a cast-iron black cat to keep watch over everything.
Just passed 50,000 hits in just under two years on WordPress. Six years blogging total between Vox and WP. I never thought I’d make so many friends from around the world. It’s like having digital pen pals.
YAY! Thanks for visiting, everybody! 
I heart ALL my readers!
Boy, I haven’t been keeping up to date on life happenings, as if anyone cared, LOL.
California oak branch with acorn attached
Anyhoo, at the end of May, Rich sold his kung fu studio and no longer needs to commute 110 miles 4 days a week to San Diego for work. He also started collecting Social Security in July. That’s been really nice. I have two steady clients for online writing and SEO work, plus I have two bookkeeping gigs, plus Rich & I share the maintenance for the water company. Rich also still has his septic pumping job three days a week for the lake. So, between all those irons in the fire, we’re making pretty decent money. Enough that we can start eating out once in a while!
Rich also joined the Julian-Cuyamaca Volunteer Fire Department. He goes to training every Wednesday night, and he’s got all the equipment, including a pair of super-cool black leather wildland fire boots. Doesn’t have a pager yet, but any day now…
Around late April/early May, Rich got cellulitis, a staph infection in the skin. At first, we thought it was poison oak, because the red areas oozed water, but there was minimal itching. Finally we went to a clinic in late June, and found out what it was. Antibiotics just caused an allergic reaction, making the rash spread over virtually his whole body. I’ll be writing a separate post about this later, as we’re still dealing with it, but it is much better.
It’s been HOT this summer, especially August. I’m SO ready for some snow.
Gracie’s doing good. She ate a mouse last night. She’s becoming much more of a homebody now that she’s a grown-up cat of two. Here she is making a pillow out of Rich’s flip-flops.
Haven’t been cooking very much, but will have something good coming up: Bratwurst!
That little cherry tomato plant has taken over my whole planter, and grew well outside of the protective wire cage. So far, no problems, but I did pull off a fat 4-inch-long caterpillar who was making a feast of the plant. It’s putting out 2 or 3 toms a day now.
The catnip and mint plants are doing well, too. They also grew out of their cage, but are doing fine.
Finally, here’s my prediction for the November elections: Obama’s GOT this. He’s gonna get blacks, women, gays, Hispanics, and dog-lovers. This election is in the BAG.
Toodles!
My new friend Thinking Is Write has nominated me for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award! Thank you so much! I’m verklempt.
Here are the rules:
1. Link back to the person who nominated you (see above).
2. Post the award image to your page:
3. Tell 7 facts about yourself:
- Living in the mountains has ruined me for the city. I don’t know how people live there.
- I learned how to cook from friends and watching cooking shows. My mom is the worst cook ever.
- I wish this heat would let up. I’m dying here, and I’m sure my computer isn’t happy, either.
- I love jewelry, but hardly ever wear it anymore.
- Winter and spring are my favorite seasons.
- Y’all already know I love the cute and fuzzy critters.
- I have a black thumb.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers and let them know they’ve been nominated:
