My Family

My daughter and her kids and my son, his wife, and their son came down yesterday for fun and games.  We went to eat at the Mexican restaurant where I used to play trivia.  Yes, I do plan to go back and play again.  Then we came back to my house and played "Apples to Apples" and "Family Feud."   Lots of laughter and loudness!  Since our reunion, I've gone to my daughter's the day after Christmas for the last ten years.  However, this year they came here.  I'm not ready to drive a few hours during holiday traffic yet.  It really does take a long time to recover from this surgery! 

Another reason, I haven't had them here was the condition of my house, which looked like a hoarder lived in it.  I really did feel much worse than I realized.  After my helpers cleared out numerous trash bags filled with clothes, papers and stuff that filled my brother's truck several times to take to recycling, Goodwill, and/or the dump, my house was ready for company.  I couldn't have healed after I got home from the  hospital if it had been the way it was.  Such a relief!  That's why I'm not a hoarder because I wanted the clutter gone and am thrilled to have space again! 

So they were all here together for the first time.  It was great!  From the left, across the table and back up to the front:  My son Brian, older granddaughter Kelsey, daughter-in-law Melissa, daughter Kathy, older grandson Luke, younger granddaughter Kari, youngest grandson Brendan.  This is at the restaurant.   

Holidays

How was your Christmas?  Any plans for New Year's Eve?  I've made a few goals (instead of resolutions).  More on this later.  What about you? 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you all!  Hope everyone is safe, warm, and loved!  That's what it's all about.  All my best to you and yours this holiday season! 

Tribute from The Voice

Star Trek Trivia

The name of the USS Enterprise in the original draft for the Star Trek TV series was the USS Yorktowne.

Pranks

I don't like practical jokes and am not sure why they are called that.  I've never thought it was funny to intentionally embarrass people or make them look like fools.  I put up with them from people who pulled them on me and laughed or shrugged or whatever it took to move on because when pranksters know they can get to you, they are encouraged to do more.  The few times I tried to reciprocate and pull a prank, it sort of fell flat since I don't have the attention span to orchestrate anything strategic or complex.  Besides, that's not how I want to spend my time.  Pranks and put-down "humor" both seem mean-spirited to me.  What motivates them?  Do you think it's funny?

The nurse committed suicide who was the object of that prank played by the Australian radio show DJ's.  The head of the station approved airing the piece.  Something should be done to punish them.  I don't know what, but something.  Maybe they should all be fired.  I don't know.  What do you think?


 And, no, I never watched it.  

Spare Joey Trivia

A kangaroo mother holds a reserve embryo inside of her after her first baby has crawled into her pouch.This serves as an emergency back-up baby, should the first one die prematurely.

Nashville

I've been watching the series Nashville mostly because it's filmed there, and it's fun to see familiar places and to try to figure out where some of the scenes are shot.  The Tennessean (Nashville daily paper) keeps track of the show and lets us know information about it, such as where they are filming and some inside stuff.  I also watch it because I like Connie Britton and loved Friday Night Lights, which she was on.  Callie Khouri created and produces the show.  She writes episodes and won an Oscar for screenwriting Thelma and Louise.  T. Bone Brunett, multiple Grammy winner and brilliant, is the executive music producer of Nashville.  I just recently learned that they are married, which I think is so cool!

They filmed at the actual Bluebird Cafe for the pilot but built an identical set when the show was picked up.  The Bluebird is a vital part of the Nashville music scene.  It's actually called a listening room, and customers/audience members are supposed to be quiet and listen during performances.  They are asked to be quiet and if they don't, are asked to leave.  Strict!  It shows respect for performers.  I like it.  Sometimes several singer/songwriters perform in the round and take turns singing their songs.  Their banter is fun to watch.

I'm glad Nashville is shown fairly accurately in many ways.  There are some things that fit in more in other places like L.A. since we don't have paparazzi bothering stars around here.  They are left alone and can go most places without incident.  They take their kids to school, grocery shop, eat out, and other regular things.  They cover that in the show except for the young country pop performer (Hayden Panettiere) who was dating a pro football player.  There seemed to be just one photographer who got them, though.  That seems about right.   It's mostly a night-time soap opera that is a lot about the music business and politics in all its forms. The actors do their own singing and have released an album.

Now you know.



 Bluebird website HERE. 

Southern Liberals

This article "A New Southern Strategy" by Karen Cox for the NYTimes, echoes my sentiments exactly.  We Southerners are lumped into the same ignorant redneck group together.  During the election I got so tired of hearing about this and the other demographics who don't represent me.  I'm white, over 65, female, and live in a small town in the South.  This means I should have voted for Romney, except that many of my friends, relatives, and acquaintances didn't.  Guess since I'm single, I fell into that group who voted for Obama.  I'm not saying we don't have an abundance of ignorance, racism, bigotry, and fundamentalists here.  We do.  Unfortunately, they are in other regions, too. 

Here's an excerpt from Cox's article:

That we are still using the term “Confederacy” to describe the South and pointing to slave maps says a lot about how hard it is for the region to move beyond its historical reputation, however richly deserved, for one that reflects more current realities.

Voters in Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, Nashville, New Orleans, Birmingham, Ala., and even Jackson, Miss., gave Mr. Obama substantial majorities, not because they are out of step with the rest of the country but because they are part of the same urban-rural divide that drives voting everywhere.

So if we’re going to apply the term “Confederacy,” then perhaps we can all agree that while a majority of Southern white voters seem intransigent to change, the region is nevertheless being transformed by its changing demographics.

This is a good article and worth reading.  We Southern liberals are capable of critical thinking and making informed decisions. 

Molly Ivins said, " I believe all Southern liberals come from the same starting point -- race. Once you figure out they are lying to you about race, you start to question everything."

The View

First of all, I don't know why I even watch The View sometime because they get on my nerves, but I do it anyway periodically.  I like Whoopi and Joy (in that order) and nearly always agree with them.  Barbara drives me crazy when she's on and gets on my nerves even more than Elisabeth does.  Barbara is all about what all she's done, who she's interviewed, and who she knows.  She interrupts Whoopi more than she does the others and is condescending to her.  I think she's jealous because Whoopi has worked with and knows so many of the guests, who seem genuinely glad to see her.  Also Barbara makes inappropriate comments that are conversation stoppers.  I like the show much better when she's not on it.  Wish she'd quit showing up on there.  

Elisabeth gets a high-horse attitude and smug expression on her face when she quotes Fox News.  Sometimes she is reasonable and OK.  Sherri comes from out there somewhere for her opinions and guidelines for life.  They are another story.   I've been watching The Talk instead sometimes.  They don't interrupt each other.  All that interrupting and talking over each other on The View makes me crazy!  It's so rude, and I can't hear what they are saying when they do that. 

Yes, I know.  If they bother me so much, why do I watch?  No good answer for that except that I like Whoopi and Joy.  Most of the time that's not quite enough though. 

Question

I wonder about those battery chargers for electric cars that I see dotted around all over the place.  Are they free?  I couldn't see a place to put any money in them.

Etc

Hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving with those you love.  I did.  My mother teared up and told me after all that's gone on this year, we could have had a bad holiday and that we have so much to be thankful for.  So true!  My brother and I both gave her a scare with our hearts.  He had more stents after having a heart attack.  He's doing fine now. 

I've been so caught up in my health issues that I haven't been in touch.  I miss y'all and will try to read your blogs regularly again and write on mine.  We managed to forge a bond that keeps you in my thoughts and holds you close.  Thank goodness for that!  I see some of you on Facebook and am in touch other ways, too.  Thanks for hanging in there!  Hugs!

On a lighter note, Tug asked why when I said this lingering cough (going on now for a month) made me concerned about my sternum.  Seriously?  I explained that it takes quite a while for that to heal and knit back together.  It's held with twist ties, which will remain there, of course, but is healing.  He said he just thought if they had me running on the treadmill at cardiac rehab, I was fine.  I explained how long it's been since I ran at all anywhere and that even if I could run, they wouldn't want me to risk it.  Duh!!  He said well they fixed your heart.  I said yes but not the rest of me and did he think I'd become instantly physically fit and younger?  What I do at cardiac rehab is WALK slowly on the treadmill with no incline (2.2 mph right now from slower and will increase speed) for 20 minutes, pedal the stationary bike for 20 minutes with no resistance, do the NuStep (sort of like a sitting elliptical) for 20 minutes, and pedal an arm thing for 20 minutes.  They increase our time periodically based on our heart monitors and blood pressure readings before during and after rehab each time.  I go three times a week.  It's helping. 

This was a rough surgery and takes about a year to fully recover from, I hear.  Hope I never have it again but glad it fixed my problem.  There is still pain on the right side of my chest where it feels as if a rib is loose and not back in place.  Our ribs aren't meant to pull apart in that direction.  I have an appointment with my cardiologist in a couple of weeks and will ask him about it.  It hurts and also has a burning sensation all across that rib and under my arm.  Someone said that might be a nerve.  Whatever, it's still uncomfortable, and I want it fixed.  Not with surgery though!! 

Well, OK.  Let's carry on! 

Golf Trivia

A Dolly Parton is a putt on an especially hilly green. It’s also known as a roller coaster.

Election

Thank goodness!!  I'm so relieved that President Obama was re-elected!  I was a nervous heebie-jeebie wreck until Pennsylvania came through.  After that, it all went quickly in his favor.  For so many reasons I am thrilled!

East Coasters

I'm thinking about you and hoping all of you make it through the storm with no injuries, damage, or inconvenience.  That's a big order but why not? 

Why Not Trivia

Not that he was immature, but Napoleon concocted his battle strategies in a sandbox.

Lack of Imagination Trivia

Former heavyweight champion George Foreman named all of his 5 sons George.

Coal Miner's Daughter

In 1965, at age 30, Loretta Lynn became country music’s first female millionaire.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday (October 3) so you might be reading this afterwards.  Age is not just a number because this next milestone I'll have can't be spinned not to sound old!  Can't believe how old I am but glad I made it. 

Bee Trivia

Honeybees navigate by using the Sun as a compass, even when it is hidden behind clouds they find it via the polarization of ultraviolet light from areas of blue sky.

Might Be A Trivia Answer

The first lighthouse to use electricity was the Statue of Liberty in 1886.

Post-Surgery Check-Up

I had my appointment with the surgeon yesterday and don't go back to see him for a year!  Everything is fine, and I can drive and resume activities again!  Yay!! However, I wish I had a do-over for that appointment since I forgot to ask several questions.  Fortunately, they have a website for patients where we can send and receive messages, pay bills, and see reports.  So I asked the questions that way.

When I drive, the seat belt is uncomfortable enough that I'm going to put a little pillow between it and my chest.  The incision/scar is sensitive but doesn't bother me.  The skin on either side of it for about 6" at best feels very sensitive when my clothes touch it and at worst burns.  That's the best way to describe it - a burning feeling.  Then sometimes there is a shooting pain like a nerve is firing across my chest.  I'm recovering from what was done to my heart just fine but sawing through my sternum is taking a while.  For some reason under my arm aches and burns and so does my back under my shoulder blade sometimes.  Odd and uncomfortable but will get better eventually.

I called the local hospital about cardiac rehab that I'll go to now after my post-surgery appointment.  I have been walking on the treadmill at the gym when I could get a ride and got up to a mile in 32 minutes - so not that fast but better than I did before surgery.  I also didn't get out of breath and could have done more but my knee was bothering me.  (I'm old.)  So the nurse told me they have to get an order from my cardiologist for a treadmill test to see if I'm able to do the rehab.  I think so. 

And that's how things are with me!  

Golf Ball Trivia

The National Golf Association says that, at golf ranges, an extra-large golf-ball bucket contains about 150 balls-90 large balls, 63 medium, and 35 small.

I thought all golf balls were the same size.   They aren't?

Yep

Poet Trivia

In 1840, poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow became the first American to have plumbing installed in his house.

Helpful Bowling Trivia

A bowling pin needs to tilt only 7 1/2 degrees to fall.

OK Then ...

The swan is the only bird that has a penis.

So how do those other bird eggs get fertilized? Never thought about this or knew about swans.

DNC

What an energetic, inspiring convention!  I'm loving it!  So many excellent speeches (Michelle Obama and Bill Clinton especially) and enthusiastic delegates!  Bill Clinton explains things so well and makes it easy to understand.  I wish everyone would listen to him with an open mind and pay attention. 

I'm really worried about this election and won't be able to stand it if Obama isn't re-elected for many reasons. 

Flipper Trivia

A dolphin’s flipper has 5 digits and nearly the same bone structure as a human arm and hand.

Complaining and Bitching

I'm tired of my chest hurting.  I know it's just been three weeks, but it's been three weeks!  From what I hear and read, it takes about six weeks for the sternum to heal, so I should be about halfway through it.  I'm ready to be finished with all this and to be able to lie down and get out of bed without getting into positions the PT people taught me.  I've done well recovering from this surgery better than I expected.  Just want to fast forward through the rest of it.  That's all.  Just needed to complain.  This, too, shall pass. 

This is Strange

THE AVERAGE HUMAN BODY HOLDS ENOUGH... sulfur to kill all the fleas on an average dog.

Weather Fish Trivia

The gurnard, a fish found in Florida, grunts when a thunderstorm is brewing, and it’s said to be more reliable than local meteorologists.

 

This 'n That

I've had company all week.  My college roommate Barb was here from Sunday through Wednesday and drove me to a couple of appointments I had.  She also vacuumed, dusted, and did some things I am not supposed to do yet.  We had a great time visiting and catching up.  She brought potato and beef vegetable soup, and we ate out for other meals except breakfast.  We had Mexican, Japanese, and American.

Then my daughter Kathy came Wednesday through Friday.  She drove me to my regular appointment with my internal medicine doctor.  Excellent report!  I've lost 14 lbs. since my last appointment with him three months ago with most of it lost while I was on the hospital food diet and the no-appetite diet once I got home.  That has changed now, but I am still trying to lose more.  All my numbers were good, and I want to keep them that way. 

Once my chest quits hurting and the sternum is healed, I can exercise and do more.  I won't start cardiac rehab until after I see the surgeon September 20.  That should make a difference in my energy level, which is already better now that my heart is working correctly.  Recovery is going better than I expected.  I can get out and do things as long as someone else drives and have to be careful about lifting, pushing, and pulling.  Otherwise, I can do most things.  Good news! 

Report

I'm not online much.  My back hurts under my shoulder blade and sitting at the computer makes it worse.  Until I can do this comfortably, I won't be on as often as I was. 

My college roommate came down yesterday from Paducah, KY, and is staying a few days.  We're having fun visiting and all. 

How are y'all doing?  Sorry I haven't been keeping up. 

Finally Reporting & Rambling

I got home Monday evening around 6:00.  I had to wait for the results of the echocardiogram before I could leave. Everything looked good.  Relief!  Brian brought me home and stayed until Wednesday.  Tuesday we got some things done around the house and then went out to eat and to Kroger, so I could stock up on food for the week.  I'm glad he was here to take the groceries to and from the car and put them up.  And drive!

My microwave died the day before I went to the hospital, so we had to get a new one.  Unfortunately, that mean Walmart.  I still don't have the intricacies worked out about operating this new microwave.  It reheats food too hot on the reheat setting.  Learning curve here.  After some of the lifting, pushing, pulling, etc, that I'm not supposed to do and Brian did, he went home. 

I've been here by myself since then doing fine.  I need help with several things but don't need a caretaker.  I'm not allowed to drive until after I see my surgeon September 20 and won't start cardiac rehab until after that.  Gotta make sure that bone has healed.  Basically, I have a broken bone in my chest that can't have a cast on it.  So changing the litter box, taking and returning the trash can to the curb, changing beds, vacuuming, and such as that are jobs for others for a while. 

I've been divorced 37 years and haven't lived with another adult since then.  The first 12 years were devoted to bringing up Brian and taking care of him.  Then the last 25 have been just me.  No, I don't get lonely.  I've dated, have friends and family, and can entertain myself.  I've also been teaching most of those years which will keep anyone busy!  So I need some solitude.  Have to have it.  Married people ask who is staying with me.  Single ones don't. 

Next week are some appointments, so it works out really well that my roommate from college and my daughter will be here at different times to take me.  Both live out of town and will stay a few nights.  Some friends have brought food, which is generous and thoughtful and appreciated. 

My cousin Sally and five other friends were lifesavers.  They came in and decluttered and cleaned my house before I went to the hospital.  They worked themselves so hard and accomplished so much!  No way could I have come home to my house the way it was and gotten better!  I am so grateful to them and appreciate them tremendously! 

I'm doing better than I expected and get stronger every day.  The surgery worked because I can take a shower now, dry my hair, put on makeup, and get dressed all in a row without getting out of breath and needing to rest a couple of times.  I walked out to get the mail and came back in without having to rest, too.  Not so before the surgery.  I felt worse than I realized I did. 

I do have to rest several times a day but not the way I did before.  This is recovery from surgery resting.  It will be good when the soreness and pain go away, but Tylenol helps.  I don't do pain pills well at all, so thank goodness that works. 

Those first four days in the hospital were brutal.  Glad that's over.  It's getting better and heading in the right direction. 

Me

What I had was a septal myectomy (Info Here) instead of valve replacement.  Once the surgeon got in there and removed the obstruction, he noticed that the valve closed properly and didn't have to do more.  So no pig jokes. 

I was in ICU until Tuesday evening.  The cardiac ICU is different in that they allow visitors from 9-9 as long as it's two at a time.  Kathy spent the night in the room with me and didn't get any sleep because of the beeping.  If I didn't breathe slowly and deeply enough, it beeped, so every time I drifted off to sleep, there it went over and over. 

The Percoset made me nauseated and so sleepy I couldn't hold my eyes open.  I had some Phenergan last night which totally put me to sleep and stopped the nausea.  This morning I was in pain from leaving off the pain meds and just taking Extra-Strength Tynenol (not enough) that I thought I would never feel good again.  I talked to my mother and sister-in-law this morning and told them how bad I felt and was just pitiful.  Then they took out the tubes and gave me some Loritab.  That stops the pain but doesn't make me sleepy or nauseated.  The tubes hurt and were worse every time I moved.  Very bad.  Getting them out really helped just as the nurses told me it would.  I didn't believe them, but fortunately they were right.  They've seen a few of these! 

I'll get the leads out tomorrow.  They are some wires that monitor my heart.  So I might get to go home tomorrow later in the day or Saturday morning.  I'm hoping for Saturday since that seems like a better time to go. 

I can't believe how much more quickly this recovery is than I thought it would be.  They started cardiac rehab Tuesday with my walking very slowly on the treadmill for 5 minutes and then 7 that afternoon.  Yesterday I did more a little faster, etc. 

Kathy, Brian, Sally, and Tina were here during and after the surgery.  Kathy spent the night with me in ICU as I mentioned earlier.  Brian came back the next morning and stayed all day Tuesday.  Between the two of them they could translate my charades since I couldn't talk with all those tubes in my throat.  I could write some on a board, too.  Very interesting. 

Kathy went back home Tuesday evening, and Brian has been back every day.  He sits there with his iPad and helps with things when I need him to.  He also has his laptop and works from here some, too.  Mother, my brother, and sister-in-law came Monday afternoon, and Mother and Janelle again this evening.  It's good they did after how pitiful I was this morning and yesterday.  They were amazed that I was sitting in the chair and could get up and out of it easily.  Don't get me wrong.  This is not fun.  Do not do it.  You won't like it.  I'm just saying that I feel so much better today that's it's a relief to know I can go home. 

See You Later

I'll be in touch when I can after the surgery.  Until then, take care of yourselves!  xoxoxox

Bob Barker is Right

Every hour, nearly 12,500 puppies are born in the United States, and there are over 1 million stray dogs living in the New York City metropolitan area alone.

 Friends, please spay and neuter your pets. :-)

Right of Hell

Phobia: hadephobia Fear of: hell

No need to fear it, we're already in Hell. I know the pendulum swings, but how much farther right can it go?  Issues I thought were settled like birth control are at the forefront.  All this hate for gays, women, and anyone not a fundamentalist nutcase is scary and out of control.  I don't know how they can call themselves Christians since that's not how I was brought up to believe it should be.  Jesus would smite them for sure!  It makes me wish that could happen.

Love This!!

HP Humor

Surgery

My surgery has been rescheduled for Monday, August 13, at 7:30 am, at Vanderbilt Medical Center.  So now we know.

The Olympics will be over by then so no lying around in the hospital watching them with my son and daughter.  I'm getting to see them at home, though, on my new HDTV!  With help, the den got cleared out so I could have my TV.  This is the only time I've used behavior modification on myself successfully.  Usually, I tell myself that I don't have to wait and will do what I want to.  LOL  I'm really enjoying it.  The house will be in shape by the time I have this surgery, which makes me feel better and like I can recuperate and relax.  It's also giving me something to focus on along with the Olympics, so I don't have to think too much about the surgery.  Nervous?  Yes.  But I have a positive outlook and feel optimistic about it all.

Thanks for the support and encouraging words!  I appreciate all of you!  :-)

Olympics

I'm spending most of my time now watching the Olympics.  I love the Olympics and all it stands for.  The athletes are amazing and the best of the best.  All the training, discipline, sacrifice, and dedication put into what they accomplish is incredible.  Their families, too.  When those interviewers who get in their faces right after a competition act like a silver medal is losing really get on my nerves.  How many people ever get to compete in the Olympics, much less get a medal. 

The stories are so inspiring and interesting.  What must it feel like to be on that level of accomplishment and talent!  They experience incredible happiness and disappointment, but they are there!

 

Goat Trivia

A male goat that has been neutered is known as a wether.

Stress Test

The stress echo test wasn't that bad.  They hooked me up to an EKG, blood pressure cuff, and some other things that go to the echocardiogram machine.  They did a baseline echo and then I got on the treadmill which started out flat and slow and increased in speed and elevation every 2 minutes.  They had me do just 8 minutes on it, which oddly I made it fine.  My hips and knees hurt before I got too out of breath.  For a person who has to rest after a shower sometimes and gets winded bringing in groceries and getting the mail, I thought that was good.  When the nurse asked me questions before the test, I told her I didn't think I'd last too long.  She said she agreed after looking at the pictures of my heart.  Hmmm.  As much as I dread this surgery, I am really looking forward to feeling better. 

Hearing too much about people getting MRSA after surgery in various hospitals in Nashville, including Vanderbilt.  Scary.  Is it happening where you are, too, or do you know?

Possible Reprieve

My surgeon called yesterday (yes, he himself called) to tell me he needs more information before proceeding with surgery.  The echocardiogram I had last week showed a difference from the MRI results, so he wants me to have a stress echo.  I dread that since I've heard how hard this is on people.  I have it Friday afternoon.  Then I'll see Dr. Maltais next Thursday, August 2, to learn the results.  He said he doesn't want to perform this surgery if it won't help my situation.  Me, either.  So I hope I won't have the surgery but really do want to feel better.  I keep feeling worse.  Maybe they can fix that some other way.  We'll see and hope. 

Bring in the Clowns

Phobia: coulrophobia Fear of: clowns.

Bleeding-Heart Liberal

I'm having open-heart surgery July 31 at Vanderbilt. It's for a genetic condition (hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy) and mitral valve replacement. Was told a long time ago that I have a heart murmur which has now gone from mild to moderate to severe and explains why I've been feeling progressively worse for a while now. Shortness of breath, fatigue, and other symptoms have increased to the point of having to rest after a shower most days. I'm looking forward to feeling better but would like to fast forward through the next several months.

The good news is ... check out my hot surgeon HERE.  

Soup Trivia

In the court of French King Louis XI, the fine ladies lived mainly on soup because they believed that excessive chewing would cause them to develop premature facial wrinkles.

Elephant Trivia

Until he’s about 21 years old, the male Indian elephant isn’t interested in romancing a female elephant.

I Find This Interesting

If a pin were heated to the same temperature as the center of the Sun, its fierce heat would set everything within 60 miles ablaze.

Huh, Not Guns.

From the 1850s to the 1880s, the most common cause of death among cowboys in the American West was being dragged by a horse while caught in the stirrups.

OK

The modern bowling ball was invented in 1862.

Brendan is no Bambi

On TV game shows, a contestant who freezes before the camera is called a Bambi, in reference to a deer paralyzed by the glare of headlights.

Bowling Trivia

Some form of bowling is played in more than 90 countries around the world. Approximately 100 million people participate in bowling today.

Aspie & His Grandmother

You might not know that those with Asperger's have freakishly good memories.  Brendan can hear something once or twice and has it in his mind.  So you can imagine some of our conversations.  He calls me on the phone regularly several times a week.  Then and when we're together, he teaches me routines he wants me to know.  These might be from a cartoon on the computer he watches, Sesame Street, a song, or who knows where and what.  He used to tell me something once or twice and expect me to recall it verbatim just the way he can until I've convinced him that not everyone has excellent memories like his and his mother's.  I also don't like memorizing things that aren't my idea. 

Now he breaks it down and has me repeat short phrases over and over and over until I get it right.  Drives me nuts!  I finally came up with something that won't help that much but is an effort at least.  I told him I don't have room in my mind to remember all these extra things he asks me to because my brain is almost full from all the years of things I have to remember.  I have to use the room I have for things I'll need to remember during the rest of my life.

It comes in handy that he has that memory because it's like having a nine-year-old Google with me.  His latest thing is to tell how Opry Mills Mall has changed since it was completely redone inside after the flood.  He goes through it store by store by restaurant by everything to say what was there and what replaced it.  Life is never dull with that kid!

TR Trivia

Teddy Roosevelt was the police commissioner of New York City in 1895 when he formed the "Bicycle Squad." Members of the squad chased down speeders who exceeded the speed limit of 8 miles per hour.

Hot Day and Not in a Good Way

I stayed out of the house as much as possible today.  Right now it's 87 in the house, so the a/c is working some or it would be even hotter since it was 105 today and humid as always.  It's 83 outside, so my house needs to cool down.  Forecast for the next two days is 100, but it's supposed to get cooler Monday to 95.  However, Tuesday and Wednesday are predicted to be 79 and 82.  I hope so!  This is suckful!  (Brendan's word)

I had a long lunch with friends and then went to Mother's after I got a new cover for my iPhone that I'm going to have to take back.  They told me it should fit on my iHome which is what I use to charge it and listen to music.  Wrong.  And I can't get it off the phone!  That thing is totally on there.  The cover has to be off of the phone because any cover is too wide to fit on the docking station. 

Well, isn't this a fascinating post?  LOL

A/C

My  a/c isn't keeping up with the heat.  I called the place that does plumbing and central heat and air who does work for me, an they can't be here until tomorrow.  She said they are swamped, which I can imagine!  So I'm meeting friends for lunch and then will find some other cool places to go.  Literally.

Anyway, so far it hasn't gotten above 86 in the house, and I slept well last night with a fan pointed toward the bed.  Glad I have that one.  I rarely use it, but need it now.  I have a ceiling fan in the den, so I can watch TV and be on the computer is relative comfort.  I was gone most of the day yesterday and didn't know it wasn't working that well until I got home.  Then it was too late to call the repairmen.  I think it's about 82 in here now.  My ex-husband used to say I had one temperature where I was comfortable, and if it deviated more than 2 degrees in either direction, I was miserable.  He was more perceptive than I thought.  That temperature is 71. 

Two things I don't like are being uncomfortable and inconvenienced.  Otherwise, I'm easy to get along with.   

Happy 4th, Blogmates!

It's so hot here that the grass is crunchy.  All fireworks, fires, grilling, and excessive use of water have been banned in parts of the state.  We don't want to be on fire. 

Cool

Legendary musician and composer Frank Zappa was a greeting-card designer before he formed the Mothers of Invention.

Doll Trivia

 

Artist Xavier Roberts first designed his soon-to-be-famous Cabbage Patch dolls in 1977 to help pay his way through school. They had soft faces and were made by hand, as opposed to the hard-faced mass-market dolls, and were originally called Little People.

Batastic!

Plants that are dependent on bats for pollination include bananas, dates, figs, cashews, avocados, saguaros, organ pipes, century plants, cloves, mangoes, breadfruit, carob, kapok, and almost every tropical night-blooming species, including the mescal plant. That’s right without bats, there would be no tequila!

This Might Be A Trivia Question, MMA

Vaudevillian Jack Norworth wrote "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in 1908, after seeing a sign on a bus advertising BASEBALL TODAY/POLO GROUNDS. Norworth and his friend Albert von Tilzer (who wrote the music) had never been to a baseball game before their song became a hit sing-along.

We Are Woman

The largest cell in the human body is the female ovum, or egg cell. It is about 1/180 inch in diameter. The smallest cell in the human body is the male sperm. It takes about 175,000 sperm cells to weigh as much as a single egg cell. Hence, even in the beginning, women have more substance than men.

Jobs Before Fame Trivia

Before starring on Bonanza or Little House on the Prairie, Michael Landon worked as an operator for a machine that sealed hot cans of Campbell’s Tomato Soup.

Aboriginal Trivia

In silent Aboriginal hunting language, a closed hand slowly opening is meant to show that a kangaroo is near.

Survivor Trivia

During its debut 2000 season, the island location used for TV’s Survivor was a staging post for modern-day pirates. These pirates, with high-tech speedboats, used the remote island for international black marketeering. In retaliation for the invasion of their privacy by the Hollywood crew, several bad guys one day chased the show’s creator, Mark Burnett, in their speedboat. Burnett later said he feared he would be killed. No such luck.

Soap Opera Trivia

The first TV soap opera, Faraway Hill, debuted on the DuMont network in 1946.

Spike Trivia

Discuss and hammer throwers are allowed only 2 spikes on each shoe. I'll try to notice this when I'm glued to the Olympics - which I LOVE!

From Bernice

Does Anyone Still Use AOL?

Elwood Edwards’s voice is heard more than 27 million times a day (which comes to more than 18,000 times per minute). Edwards is the man behind those special three words - no, not "I love you," but "You’ve got mail."

Oh Great

Scientists discover approximately 7,000 to 10,000 new insect species every year and it is believed that there are between 1 million and 10 million species yet unfound.

If the Shoe Fits

And you know who you are ... cough ... Maddie!

My Kind of Sports Trivia

Badminton is the world’s fastest racket sport: a shuttle, commonly known as a birdie, can leave the racket at a speed of almost 200 mph. Badminton was first recognized as an official Olympic sport during the 1992 Summer Games. More than 1.1 billion people watched badminton’s Olympic debut on TV.

Whatevers

Watching gymnastics on TV and thinking about the girls' outfits.  Long sleeves but barely covered below the waist.  The guys on the other hand wear tank tops and long pants.  Just seems odd.  Put together, they wear all or almost nothing. 

Laughed at myself again when I threw away the toilet paper holder and held onto cardboard tube.  For those of you who never change the toilet paper, this happens sometimes. 

Live Long and Prosper

Leonard Nimoy directed the films Three Men and a Baby and The Good Mother with Diane Keaton as well as Star Trek IV The Voyage Home.

Prophetic Abe

Yikes!

I've had this on before, but scary!

The historic notebooks in which Marie and Pierre Curie recorded their experiments on radium, nearly a century ago, are still radioactive.

It's a Show About Nothing

I'm reading a book on my phone Tug told me about that I'm really enjoying.  It's Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV by Warren Littlefield who was head of entertainment at NBC when they had good shows.  That was when "Must See TV" was Thursday nights.  His book gives the scoop on "Cheers," "Seinfeld," "Friends," "Cosby," "ER," "Will and Grace," "Law & Order," "Mad About You," "3rd Rock from the Sun," and all the people involved through a series of interviews.  I'm a nosy TV fan, so this is great for me!

Littlefield  highlights many decisions that would have radically changed the shows America came to love.  For example, look at casting:

• Imagine Fred Dryer and Julia Duffy, or William Devane and Lisa Eichhorn, instead of Ted Danson and Shelly, playing Sam and Diane on Cheers
• Imagine Steve Vinovich as Kramer, Larry Miller as George, and Megan Mullally as Elaine, instead of Michael Richards, Jason Alexander, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus on Seinfeld
• Imagine Teri Hatcher instead of Helen Hunt on Mad About You
• Imagine Lisa Kudrow as Roz instead of Peri Gilpin on Frasier
• Imagine Eric McCormack as Ross instead of David Schwimmer on Friends
• Imagine Nicollette Sheridan as Grace instead of Debra Messing on Will & Grace

Similarly, would you have watched a show called Six of One, instead of Friends? How about The Paul Reiser Show instead of Mad About You?

Littlefield often called Thursday night, "the Night of Bests."  The phrase "Must See TV" was coined at random from a guy who worked at NBC named Dan Holm.  No research.  No focus groups.

Reading it, William Goldman's famous rule about Hollywood came to mind - NOBODY KNOWS ANYTHING.  They definitely don't now.  It's run by MBAs and not the creative people.  I know they have to make a profit since networks are businesses, but couldn't they have better programs and keep some that don't appeal to the lowest common denominator?

Never Knew This

On the hit The Drew Carey Show, the tongue-in-cheek name of one of Drew’s best friends is Oswald Lee Harvey. (Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated Pres. John F Kennedy. So is this funny?)

Buying Elections

Did y'all see this article about the 16 right-wing billionaires donating to Mittens and other Republicans?  (And who also won that election in Wisconsin.)  Thanks, Supreme Court.  Article in Rolling Stone HERE.

I Like This Trivia

A device invented as a primitive steam engine by the Greek engineer Hero more than 2,000 years ago is used today as a rotating lawn sprinkler.

OMG!

It's easy to understand why I never remarried after my divorce when you see these photos from dating sites.  I'd post some of them but don't want to have them on here!  Click to laugh in a horrified way. 

It's a cold world out there except for Maddie.  Then there are those of you in good relationships.  Hang on to them! 

Trivia Back by Popular Demand for Mrs. Miss A!

The first rubber heel for shoes was patented on January 24, 1899 by Humphrey O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan, an Irish-American, found that his rubber heel outlasted the leather heel then in use.

Olden Days

Well, we didn't know any difference with early blogs.  That's how they were.  I asked so many people where they got some of the add-ons (which they were then) and how to add them.  Most had pretty good instructions but still!!  Not easy!  I'm so glad it's all easier now.  Some of you made some hilarious comments about it, too!  Just appreciate it and wait for the next new technological advances!
 
When I first started teaching, we had mimeograph machines.  Tests and hand-outs were typed on manual typewriters on this blue waxy sheet.  The typewriter cut a stencil into the wax so the ink could be pushed through it during the printing.  Corrections were made by brushing the blue stuff from a bottle with a little brush (sort of like nail polish) over the mistake, letting it dry, and then typing over it.  (White-Out didn't come until later for all this.)  That blue sheet was attached to a drum that let black ink come through the letters.  Copies were black ink on white mimeograph paper.  You had to be careful taking that blue sheet off the machine because that ink was messy and hard to get out of clothes.  I hated it.

 
Later on we had ditto machines that were sort of like a slick page over what was sort of like carbon paper and purple.  This was a major improvement over the mimeograph.  They could be typed, handwritten, and drawn on.  Those top sheets were torn off and put on the ditto machine which was also a round drum that had ditto fluid in it somewhere that interacted with the purple carbon-type stuff.  I'm sure some of you remember those in school and how the pages felt cold and got sniffed by many students when fresh off the press!   Anyone remember that smell? 

Imagine how fabulous it was to have copy machines!  Early on, they made copies and that was it, but it was still wonderful.  Who knew what they could become!  Now they collate, staple, punch holes, copy on both sides, can be in color, and much more.  It's absolutely wonderful to use computers to produce the material to give students and to make out tests.  For one thing, they are SAVED!  Then to copy them on the copy machine makes life so much easier! 

Retrospective

Ten years ago this month I started writing a blog titled Joy's Updates: Straight from the Horse's Mouth.  It was more difficult to do it then.  Blogger has made changes which help so much now.  We had to go to sites with comments, guest books, counters, and other bells and whistles to add to our blogs.  Mostly that involved copying and pasting html code on the template.  I bought an html book that helped, but it wasn't easy to do all this and took quite a bit of trial and error.  Later when I read other blogs and "met" some people who could help, I asked where they got things and searched and found.  A couple of former female students who first encouraged me to have a blog helped the most!  I gave one of them my information and password, and she got on there to fix some things.  I'm glad it's easier now but glad I learned some things.

I wish I'd had comments on it during those first months.  People emailed me at best when they wanted to say something or would mention something I'd written when I saw them in person eventually.  Comments would have helped so much.  As most of you know, I began the blog to update people on my treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma.  I hope I never have to experience that again!  It's horrible.

I went back and read those posts from the lymphoma treatment and am glad I did.  More on all this later.

DWTS 14 Finale Results

Donald Driver and Peta Murgatroyd are the winners!  This was such a good season of good dancers and an extremely close finale.

Judges:  Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman, BrunoTonioli

 Finalists with hosts Tom Bergeron and Brooke Burke Charvet
Winners!  Donald and Peta

2nd Place: Katherine Jenkins and Mark Ballas 3rd Place: William Levy and Cheryl Burke
 

Conformity

DWTS Semifinals Results

It was Maria and Derek. As Tom Bergeron said, "No matter who goes home now, it sucks."  She handled it like a pro and made a gracious speech.  For a while I kept wondering why Harry Shearer was in the audience and why they kept panning to him whenever Maria was on.  It's her father and they look so much alike!

 

DWTS 14 - Final Four

Last night's competition was so close and the dancers so good that it's going to be up to the voters.  They are all exceptional.  Here's a video recap with one especially for David.  :-)  William and Cheryl are first.  David, you would love watching the entire performance of William's samba!  We all did.  Then Katherine & Mark, Donald & Peta, and Maria & Derek. 

DWTS Results

David, your William is still safely on there.  Melissa and Roshon are not.  Double elimination and not surprising results. 

DWTS 14 - Week 8

Tonight is a trio round. Not sure what that means since it's the first time they'd done this. I do know they had to learn two dances. Oh, I just saw. It's three people dancing. Karina said she's never seen three people dancing a jive before.  Katherine said she was looking forward to letting go and enjoying a dance.
  
Donald and Peta started out with a great tango!  Intense, aggressive, and powerful!  Len could hardly wait to tell them how much he liked it.  A 9 from each judge!  Tom and I both thought Len might give him a 10 he was so excited but guess that was a 9 of excitement.  Score:  27

Maria and Derek had the first perfect score last week.  Rehearsal was tense for them.  Maria said they were like a roller coaster.  Derek pushes and doesn't seem to have as much patience as I've seen him before.  She had to talk him off the ledge even.  Their Viennese waltz was beautiful and emotional.  The judges argued (yes, really argued) about the form of the dance.  Carrie Ann and Bruno loved it.  Len did, too, but wanted more "hold" since he told Derek in hold that Maria is the best.  Apparently there's some difference in American style and European in the waltz when it comes to hold and apart.  I've heard this before.  Damn, Carrie Ann and Bruno gave them 10's and Len an 8.  Score:  28

Melissa and Maksim had another Maks the Divo moment when he got frustrated.  He said she was making him look like a terrorist.  Melissa said to the camera that she couldn't make him look bad but he can.  Then she said they are both passionate about doing well and that there is much more to Maks than the Bad Boy image.  Probably true, but it's there for sure.  Their foxtrot had some missteps, and Melissa has gone about as far as she can, I believe.  In fact, Maks shrugged at her when they finished their dance like, "Oh well.  Fuck."  Carrie Ann said it was her best dance.  Len said it was, too, but there were a couple of mistakes.  Maybe I missed some things since Bruno also said it was her best.  Booke asked Maks if sometimes he thought he went too far.  He said, "Of course.  About a minute and a half ago."  Then he apologized and said he just wants Melissa to do well and that Derek said it best when he said we always hurt the ones we love.  Such drama!  Such song lyrics!    Score:  24

Katherine and Mark had trouble with part of the routine, but I've never seen Mark get upset with his partner.  They'd show it for sure if that happened during rehearsal, and I can't recall his doing it.  Their Viennese waltz was pretty and elegant.  Katherine didn't seem as graceful as usual to me, and the judges thought so, too.  Wow!  The judges are arguing again!  The audience boos.  The judges get huffy.  What a night!  They really liked this waltz.  Score: 26

Roshon and Chelsie had his grandmothers come to rehearsal for a bit and were in the audience.  His grandmother Conchita had a critique about his footwork.  He said he was dancing for them.  Their foxtrot was fun and age appropriate.  Good job!  Loved it!  The judges liked it.  Score:  29 - Wow!! 

William and Cheryl also had rehearsal problems.  At this stage in the competition, everyone feels the pressure and is stressed and tired.  William said the problem he has with ballroom dance is all the rules because he doesn't like rules but likes more freedom.  He wants to do well, though, so he does it.  He brought Cheryl flowers for her birthday and thanked her for being so patient with him.  Their foxtrot was great to watch.  Cheryl can teach for sure and can definitely choreograph for her partner.  The judges all liked it, even Len!  Score:  30!  Wow!!!! 

Second Round has the couple adding an eliminated dancer or one from the troupe to join their dance. 

Donald and Peta added Karina for the jive.  Donald said it's either the semi-finals or Jimmy Kimmel and he's not ready to see Jimmy.  Definitely a lively jive!  The judges praised Donald's ability to keep up and not miss a step.  Score:  28 = 55

Maria and Derek picked Henry from the troupe for their samba.  Derek wanted to do something that's never been done before on DWTS - Bollywood.  This was so neat!  I loved it!  What a performance!  Carrie Ann and Bruno loved it, and Len said he would give it a 10 if he were judging a Bollywood but he's judging a samba and didn't see it in there.  How low will he go with his score?  Yikes!  7  Score:  25 = 53

Maks and Melissa chose Val to join their samba.  She said there is nothing hotter than dancing with the two Chmerkovskiy brothers.  Val and Maks dance just alike, which makes sense.  This was a hot samba!  Melissa did really well and was praised by the judges.  Score:  27 = 51

Katherine and Mark added Tristan for their cha-cha.  At first I thought it was going to be the Blues Brothers because of the costumes (suits, hats, dark glasses), but it was more like the FBI.  Then she ripped out of her suit and had on a dance outfit.  Part of the pants got stuck on her foot, but Katherine never missed a step and kicked it off.  This was such a good performance as well as dance.  The judges loved it.  Score: 29 = 55

Roshon and Chelsie danced a paso doble with Sasha from the troupe.  Chelsie wanted another guy in the dance to help Roshon with his routine, and he did.  Roshon did a good job.  Score:  27 = 56

William and Cheryl brought Tony Dovolani in for their paso doble.  William told Tony if he messed up for Tony to mess up, too.  That's the strategy he said.  This was a hot paso!  Hot!!  Wonderful!  The judges agreed.   Score:  27 = 57

This is getting more and more difficult.  Celebrities this season have been the strongest entire group I've seen.  It's not the way it has been before when I didn't like some of them and couldn't wait for them to leave.  Two will be eliminated tomorrow night, so it will be doubly sad. 

DWTS Results

And it's Urkel! Yes, Jaleel White and Kym Johnson got eliminated in the dance duel after being in the bottom two with Roshon and Chelsie.

DWTS 14 - Week 7

Classical Night

Just walking out in their costumes is interesting. Quite a variety.

Rumba for Katherine and Mark.  She's a classical singer and knows the music, which makes her feel good but not sure how helpful with the dancing she said.  Last year she sang during this competition.  I don't care what Sam says, I hope she wins.  He thinks it's DWTS 101 if she does.  The audience votes, which always messes things up.  At least this season, they have that dance-off for the bottom two, and the judges choose from there.  I'm glad.  Mark had on some kind of cape which was removed and now he's shirtless.  Fit, hairless torso and arms.  Maybe I'm weird, but I'd rather see men dancing with shirts on.  It just seems half-dressed to me.  Shirts could be unbuttoned down to a point or maybe a vest - that's good.  At the beach or in bed as little clothing as possible, but not in public dancing or whatever.  This was an elegant, classic rumba.  I was distracted by the semi-nakedness of Mark (not in a good way) and need to rewind and watch her dance.  She looked like a Greek goddess.  Score:  27

I don't know what to think about the Argentine tango Maks and Melissa performed.  It seemed erratic and sort of antagonistic.  I think it was supposed to be, though.  Melissa didn't have the control she needed for the lifts and some of the footwork.  Maks has a foot injury and brought his brother Val in to rehearse with Melissa.  Maks told her Val is nicer.  The judges said the tempo of Mozart's "Marriage of Figaro" was difficult to dance to but that she didn't do that well.  This was mostly a criticism of Maks's choreography but her dance quality wasn't there.  Even  I noticed it.  They had some difficult lifts, which were amazing for someone who has recovered from a broken back!  Score:  21  Yikes!

Double elimination next week.  Have they done this before?  Probably.  I don't have the most reliable memory about some things.

All these injuries!  His ankle hurts, but William and Cheryl danced a graceful Viennese waltz while Jackie Evancho sang "Ave Maria."  How does that voice come from that little girl?!!  Can't tell his ankle is a problem, but Cheryl choreographed the dance in order not to aggravate it.  The audience went wild.  Does William have a wife and two children?  The camera panned to whom that might have been twice.  Guess I could google it, but I don't really care.  It was a very pretty dance with passion and elegance.  Score:  27

Roshon was discouraged by being in the bottom two last week.  Val came in and helped him with his posture and manliness technique required for their Argentine tango.  Roshon and Chelsie looked more like kids doing a grown-up dance, but they did the moves and managed to pull this off.  The judges said he improved and did well.  Score:  25

Peta is challenging Donald to compete at a higher level.  He's so competitive and wants to give more like the judges challenged him to do.  Donald and Peta danced a Viennese waltz while Vittoria Grigolo sang.  Elegant, graceful dancing!  High praise from the judges.  Score:  27

Derek got a little frustrated during rehearsal, and Maria felt it.  Derek and Maria performed a paso doble, and her personality isn't naturally suited to it.  Maybe Derek treated her differently during rehearsal to get her in the mood.  She did really well.  It was intense and passionate.  The music matched it.  This was a vampire theme with Maria's biting Derek on the neck at the end - fangs and all.  The judges loved it!  So did I!  Score:  30  Wow!!!  First perfect score!!  Maria is a contender!

Jaleel and Kym are trying to keep up the momentum from last week when they got two 10's and a 9.  Their Viennese waltz was beautiful - smooth and romantic.  Len said he liked it enough not to be cruel but not enough to be kind.  Hmmm   Bruno said it wasn't as good as it could be but was very nice.  Carrie Ann said not to lose his confidence and to be aware of technique.  Score:  24

OMG!  Karina and Tristan danced while Jackie Evancho sang.  Karina was barely wearing anything but was covered with see-through black  I love watching the pros dance together but also really enjoy seeing the progress people make who haven't danced professionally. 

Team dances now ...

Team Tango:  Maria & Derek, Elizabeth & Mark, Jaleel & Kym, and Roshon & Chelsie.  Intense and precise and quick!  Score:  27  Mixed reviews from judges (10, 8, 9)

Team Paso Doble:  Donald & Peta, Melissa & Maks, and William & Cheryl.  Maks said the women were blonde, brunette, and redhead - woo!  William didn't want to dance shirtless because he wanted to show they could dance, so they compromised and wore open bolero jackets the first half and then took them off the second half.  The audience went wild!  The judges praised their performance so much I thought they'd get all 10's but no.  Their score was 26, one less than the other team's.  The audience went wild again for a different reason. 

Melissa didn't do as well tonight and had the lowest score.  I'm sure this does not please Maks.  Depending on how people vote, I'd say Melissa or Roshon might go home.  We'll see.  

Science Schmience?

DWTS Results

Just as we thought, Gladys went home this week.  I'm glad she got to be there for Motown Week, though.  That was special.  They've added a new twist this year and have a dance-off between the bottom two teams.  Gladys and Tristan competed against Roshon and Chelsie.  I'm glad they're doing that since it takes all the control away from the voters, and we know how suckful (Brendan's word) American voting can be! 

DWTS 14 - Week 6

Motown Week!  Smokey Robinson, Martha Reeves, the Temptations sing, and Gladys Knight is dancing!  This should be good!

Watched The Voice and now onto DWTS on DVR.  So many letters and technology! Quick retrospective on Motown and Berry Gordy. 

First up are Gladys and Tristan dancing a rumba to "My Girl" sung by the actual Temps.  Gladys toured with them from when they were the Primes to when they morphed into the Temptations and said her team beat them in softball.  Gladys's brother, an original Pip, came by rehearsal to show Tristan some moves.  Tristan said he was learning about history.  Yes, he was!  Bless their hearts, the Temptations' voices are showing their age, but it was still great to hear and see them perform.  The dance lacked passion and romance which rumbas are supposed to have.  It was smooth and careful and pretty to watch for sure.  She's the epitome of grace and elegance. The judges might disagree.  Len said she is not the best dancer but is the most charismatic dancer and easy like Sunday morning.  Nostalgic and meaningful.  Carrie Ann said it's her night.  Score is 21.

Berry Gordy is in the audience and recognized and honored!  

Next Maria and Derek do the foxtrot to "Jimmy Mack" sung by Martha Reeves.  I think that's the title; it sounds like it should be.  Lively, fun foxtrot.  Good lines and footwork.  Maria is so pretty to be such a tomboy and goofy.  She grew up with brothers and fit right in, she said.  Bruno said it was a gleaming blend of sophistication, wit, and elegance.  Praise from the judges!  Score - 26

Roshon and Chelsie danced a rumba to Smokey Robinson's singing "Cruisin' Together."  Roshon had trouble learning how to be romantic and sexy during rehearsal but managed to do it during their performance much better than in rehearsal.  He's young and uncomfortable with such an emotional dance.  The judges said the dance lacked style and was "paint by number" in that he seemed to memorize what to do instead of feeling it.  This was difficult for Roshon to learn.  Score - 23

 Katherine and Mark danced the samba to "I Can't Get Next to You" sung by the Temptations.  I really like Katherine and would like for her to win.  Their samba was lively and fun!  Good job.  The judges said so, too.  Score - 29!

Donald and Peta performed a foxtrot to "The Way You Do the Things You Do" sung by the Temptations.  Donald was excited about Motown Week and said it brought back memories from his childhood.  He practiced especially hard to get a 10 from Len this week since everyone else gave him one last week but Len.  This was a pretty foxtrot.  Donald had a good frame and footwork.  I liked it, but we'll see what the judges think.  Len loved it!  Bruno and Carrie Ann did, too.  Len told Peta to work David harder because his talent is greater than this danced showed.  He got all 9's for a 27.  Donald said Len wants him to do better so he'll get better just to get a 10 from Len.

Melissa and Maksim had a difficult rehearsal.  Well, Melissa did because Maks acted like a diva - or are men divos?  He really pushes and huffs around.  Melissa does OK with that and tells him he's not inspiring confidence.  I would do better with Derek or Mark than with criticism and drama the way Maks does it.  Derek and Mark are demanding but kind.  Melissa and Maks danced a Viennese Waltz to "  by Smokey Robinson.  This was an elegant, romantic, beautiful waltz.  Who thought Melissa Gilbert would have a tattoo?  It's on her upper arm toward the back and looks like a bird or butterfly.  Can't tell.*  Score - 24.  Melissa said editing showed the worst parts of their rehearsal and that 88% of it was not like that.

*Googled the tattoo and understand the placement of it.  It was a bird, but the bird on the right of what was a banner with "Bruce and Melissa" and another bird on the left.  Those are gone, so that other bird is off there by itself in an odd place.  

Jaleel and Kym did a cha-cha to the Temptations singing "Please Don't Leave Me."  Good job!!  That was great!  Judges praised them and loved it!  So did I.  It was lively and controlled.  Score - 29! 

William and Cheryl performed a rumba to "Being With You" by Smokey Robinson.  Cheryl told William their rumba needed to be hot and sexy, and he brought it.  Cheryl can choreograph some sexy dances.  This was, but as I've said before not as sexy as with Giles Marini!  He is so incredibly sexy just standing still, so when he danced a rumba and tango, it was totally hot.  Len thought this dance was on the raunchy side, and that's the difference between William and Giles.  I expected more and so did the judges.  William doesn't do it for me, anyway.  Score - 27  (Bruno the gay Italian gave him a 10).  Maks and Mel B danced the sexiest and hottest paso doble, samba, and rumba!!!

Now for a cha-cha Motown marathon for more points and entertainment.  Couples are eliminated until the last dancers are standing.  First out gets 3 points and last gets 10.
Here we go:
Gladys and Tristan first out (3 for total of 23)
Maria and Derek (4 for 30)
Roshon and Chelsie (5 for 28)
Melissa and Maks (6 for 30)
Donald and Peta (7 for 35)
Jaleel and Kym (8 for 37)
William and Cheryl (9 for 36)
Katherine and Mark (10 for 39)

Posting Deficit

Don't know why but don't have as much interest in blogging as I used to.  Guess I'm taking a bit of a break with some posting thrown in occasionally.  Don't forget me!  I'll be here now and then. 

DWTS 14 - Week 5 & Results

Latin week where the shirts come off and the hips shimmy and shake!  This won't be an actual recap.  Maybe next week.  Maria keeps hurting herself but carries on.  Bottom line is that this was Gavin's week to go. Karina won last season with J.R. Martinez.