I do like a good meme, and this is a good one – i.e., challenging, because it’s all one-word answers. One of my Twitter/blogger friends, Courtney of Coco Cooks, tagged me with this one. It’s called the “Over The Top Award”. Think she’s trying to tell me something?

Anyway, because it was Courtney’s birthday yesterday, and, okay, because I just can’t resist, here goes:

1. Where is your cell phone? Next to me

2. Your hair? Curly

3. Your mother? Feisty

4. Your father? Peaceful

5. Your favorite food? Spicy

6. Your dream last night? Unsettling

7. Your favorite drink? Cosmo

8. Your dream/goal? Independence

9. What room are you in? Florida (well, that’s what we call it!)

10. Your hobby? Several

11. Your fear? Helplessness

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Retired

13. Where were you last night? Home

14. Something you aren’t? Shy

15. Muffins? Mango

16. Wish list item? Lotto

17. Where did you grow up? Dayton

18. Last thing you did? Dinner

19. What are you wearing? Jeans

20. Your TV? On

21. Your pets? Cats

22. Friends? Select

23. Your life? Rollercoaster

24. Your mood? Aspiring

25. Missing someone? Mildred

26. Vehicle? Prius

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Gardener’s

29.Your favorite color? Green

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Thursday

32. Your best friend? Lynne

33. One place you go to over and over again? Work

34. One person who e-mails you regularly? Mike

35. Favorite place to eat? Homes

Now I have to choose 6 bloggers to follow suit.

Miz Shoes of GirlyShoes

Elle of Elle’s New England Kitchen

Lettergirl of Not Going Postal

Shelley of Shelley Bakes

Aunt Becky of Mommy Wants Vodka

Bodacious Girl of, well, Bodacious Girl

Now, I don’t know for the life of me if any of these fabulous women will respond – not everyone is the meme type, you know? But I hope they do. It’s an opportunity to get to know each other just a teensy bit better.

Lettergirl, who writes the awesome Not Going Postal, asked “What are your favorite 10 words and why?” Frankly, I think she’s looking to thin out her blogroll, and what better way to flush out the marginally unstable than to get someone to admit that one of their favorite words is “annihilation”. Or “barbecue”.

But no, I’m not going to fall into that trap. (Pauses to feed cat and make coffee) No siree.

So, here are ten of my favorite words, in no particular order of preference:

1. Nap. I was talking about this with someone, yesterday. Just the word itself brings on that soft, warm, fuzzy feeling inside. A glow of contentment that starts in your chest and radiates throughout your body. Around 3:00 in the afternoon, I must have either a cup of coffee or a nap. On a cloudy, rainy afternoon, what could be better? As children, we always regarded naps as a conspiracy by the grownups to steal away some of our precious few daylight hours. As an adult, it’s a rare – almost decadent – pleasure. If I had a meditation mantra, it would be nap.

2. Humor. The ability to laugh is uniquely human, I think. I can’t even imagine a world without humor. To not take yourself too seriously is a trait I admire. People who laugh are healthier in body and mind. If you can’t find something, anything to laugh at during the course of any day, you’re either just not trying, or you’re dead.

3. Habitat. It’s home. Not just my home, but the home of all creatures, great and small. It’s nature and nurture. I’ve always been a cheerleader for the creation of backyard habitats, planting native species, and encouraging wildlife. Like Buzzy McPollenpants up there at the top of this post. It’s not just for them, it’s for us, too. Click on that link over there on the left, and find out how you can do it, too, with a minimum of effort in even the smallest space. And why you should.

4. Civility. A quality that seems more and more rare, these days. You don’t have to like someone to be civil to him/her. Hell, you don’t even have to know the person. Why is it so difficult to be polite? To give an elderly or handicapped person your seat on the bus or train? To have a difference of opinion that doesn’t descend into mud-slinging and/or violence? Civility suggests that you step outside yourself and actually see other people and acknowledge them. A little mutual respect. The Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. So many seem to have stopped at the “Do unto others” part.

5. Curiosity. Without curiosity, we’d never leave our caves. If the explorers and scientists of history hadn’t been the least little bit curious, none of us would be where we are today. We’d have no aspirin, penicillin, or electricity. We wouldn’t be celebrating the 40th anniversary of man walking on the moon. Or marveling at pictures of Saturn’s rings and Jupiter’s moons and the discovery of ice on Mars. There would be no televisions to watch or blogs to write and send over bazillions of invisible little particles in the air to entertain ourselves while we huddle in those caves.

6. Resilient. It’s what we are. No matter what pains or loss we suffer – individually, or as a species – eventually, we recover. We go on. Like L’il Abner’s Shmoo, or the Bumble in “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer”, we bounce.

7. Imagination. Most of the time, it goes hand-in-hand with Curiosity. Art, music, literature, science. The creative impulse. Children have it, naturally. Often, it gets beaten out of us as we grow up and are forced to face “reality” (one of my least favorite words). Imagination knows no boundaries, provokes us, and urges us forward with the open-ended question: “What if…?” The world would be a much darker and poorer place without it.

8. Logic. This might actually be my favorite word. In my perfect world, if people just stepped back and thought logically, without regard to religion, emotion, or fear, there would be no starving children, everyone would have access to health care, and we would all have respect for the Earth and all of its inhabitants. No discussion.

9. Kitchen. Most people’s favorite room in the house. Everyone always gravitates to the kitchen. Approached in the proper frame of mind, it’s the most creative room in the house. All sorts of individual ingredients combine – almost magically – into everything from Mac & Cheese to Chicken Kiev to Chocolate Chip Cookies. I learned more about art, math, chemistry, and physics in the kitchen, than I ever did in a classroom.

10. Dessert. I love dessert. In all its forms. Chocolate, cheesecake, creme brulee, pudding, cake, pie, cookies, ice cream, fruit… There doesn’t have to be a lot of it, just a little something sweet to round off the meal and finish things off. Just about every culture, that I can think of, shares the concept of dessert. There are very few other words that almost universally inspire happy thoughts.

As an aside, I’m also terribly fond of the French “il ny a pas de quois”. Or maybe it’s “qua”. Either way, I’m pretty sure I spelled it wrong. I can’t remember that far back. It’s a standard response to “thank you”. I know it’s not a single word, but leave it to the French to come up with a tongue-twistingly, super-polysyllabic way to say “no problem.” But once you’ve mastered it, it’s quite a lot of fun to say. Sort of like “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”.

So, what are your ten favorite words? Leave them here in the comments, or post them in your own blog and leave a link in the comments. I’m curious.

I’ve been tagged by “Mudhooks” over at the Mudpuddle. This one looks like fun, so sure, I’ll play:

8 things meme

Rules are simple, list 8 things you look forward to, 8 things you did yesterday, 8 things you wish you could do. Then tag 8 people and let them know they’ve been tagged with the meme.

8 things I look forward to:

1. Weekends
2. Cuddle-up with a warm, soft kitty
3. A fresh cup of coffee when I wake up in the morning
4. A fresh cup of coffee when I get home at the end of the day
5. Mango season
6. Sarasota
7. Cuddle-up with a warm, soft hubby
8. Travel

8 things I did yesterday

1. PhotoHunted
2. Twittered far too much
3. Went grocery shopping
4. Watched sci-fi movies
5. Fed & watered the cat
6. Fed & watered the birds & squirrels
7. Cooked Malaysian-style curried chicken
8. Watched & fell asleep in the middle of “The Godfather” marathon on TV

8 things I wish I could do

1. Twitch my nose and have all my messes cleared
2. Eat all my favorite foods without the consequences
3. Force every person on the planet to think and act strictly based on Logic
4. Sew straight
5. Spend more time (okay most of my time) in my yard, gardening & birdwatching
6. Play more in the kitchen
7. Retire (which would probably assist with #5 & #6)
8. Win some cheese (please: http://tinyurl.com/cedpnw)

8 shows I watch on TV

1. America’s Next Top Model
2. Dancing With The Stars
3. Project Runway (when it’s on — maybe I’ll watch it’s replacement)
4. Cold Case
5. Castle
6. Burn Notice
7. Lost
8. Heroes

Now… Who to tag? Well, how about you? You’re here, reading this, right? Feel free to pick it up and pass it on!

This is my favorite type of méme – I totally stole this from Dianne at Dianne Moving On with a couple of modifications (I hate redundancy – remember the book meme?). I wasn’t even tagged with it, or anything. Although, I may tag you, so pay attention!

Link to the person you got this from (see above)
Bold the things you’ve done
Italicize the things you’d like to do
Underline the things you wouldn’t do on a dare

1. started your own blog
2. slept under the stars
3. played in a band
4. visited Hawaii – I don’t think a 2-hour layover at Honolulu Airport counts
5. watched a meteor shower
6. given more than you can afford to charity
7. been to Disneyworld
8. climbed a mountain
9. held a praying mantis
10. sang a solo
11. bungee jumped
12. visited Paris
13. watched a lightning storm at sea
14. taught yourself an art from scratch
15. adopted a child
16. had food poisoning
17. walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. grown your own vegetables
19. experienced a natural disaster (hurricane, tornado, etc.)
20. slept on an overnight train
21. had a pillow fight
22. hitch hiked
23. taken a sick day when you’re not ill – be honest!
24. built a snow fort
25. held a lamb
26. gone skinny dipping
27. run a marathon
28. ridden a gondola in Venice
29. seen a total eclipse
30. watched a sunrise or sunset
31. hit a home run
32. been on a cruise
33. seen Niagara Falls in person
34. visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. seen an Amish community
36. taught yourself a new language
37. had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. seen the leaning tower of Pisa in person
39. gone rock climbing
40. flown in a hot-air balloon
41. sung karaoke
42. seen Old Faithful Geyser erupt
43. bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. visited Africa
45. walked on a beach by moonlight
46. been transported in an ambulance
47. had your portrait painted – does a caricature count?
48. gone deep sea fishing
49. seen Mount Rushmore
50. been to the top of the Washington Monument
51. gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. kissed in the rain
53. played in the mud
54. gone to a drive-in theater
55. been in a movie
56. visited the Great Wall of China
57. started a business
58. taken a martial arts class
59. visited Russia
60. served at a soup kitchen
61. sold Girl Scout cookies – I was never a Girl Scout, but I have 3 nieces
62. gone whale watching – you know, I’d like to, but I hear that it’s not very good for the whales
63. received flowers for no reason
64. donated blood
65. gone sky diving – I used to think I’d like to do this, until I discovered that I’m afraid of heights.
66. baked your own bread
67. bounced a check
68. flown in a helicopter
69. saved a favorite childhood toy
70. visited the Lincoln memorial
71. eaten caviar – ewww.
72. pieced a quilt
73. stood in Times Square
74. visited the Everglades
75. been fired from a job
76. seen the changing of the guard in London
77. broken a bone
78. been on a speeding motorcycle
79. seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. published a book
81. seen Michelangelo’s David in person
82. bought a brand new car
83. walked in Jerusalem
84. had your picture in the newspaper
85. read the entire Bible (Old and New Testaments)
86. visited the White House
87. killed and prepared an animal for eating – I’m sorry, I just couldn’t kill and/or eat anything I’ve known personally, no matter how briefly.
88. had chickenpox
89. saved someone’s life
90. sat on a jury – been called, but never taken.
91. met someone famous
92. joined a book club
93. lost a loved one
94. had a baby
95. seen the Alamo in person
96. taken a road trip
97. been involved in a law suit
98. owned a cell phone
99. been stung by a bee
100. met the love of your life

– and with any luck, I’ll have been married to him 20 years, this March.

Okay, so I won’t tag anyone, but you are most cordially invited to play — let me know if you do, so I can visit yours!

I told Ms. Shoes (over at Girlyshoes) that I would pick up this meme on the condition that it didn’t make me look like a complete Neanderthal. I’m not tagging anyone, but feel free to pick it up and pass it on…

Instructions:

In retaliation for “Tag Four” (see below), Miz Shoes (bee-yotch!) tagged me with this one.

1. Link to the person who tagged you (see above).

2. Post the rules on your blog (this is what you are now reading).

3. Write 6 random things about yourself (see below).

4. Tag 6 people at the end of your post and link to them (This is only a game)

5. Let each person know they have been tagged and leave a comment on their blog

6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up

Six Things About Me

1. I am as tall as the distance between railroad ties.

2. I was President of my university’s chapter of Young Democrats.

3. I can’t live without Miracle Whip (!). And Jif Crunchy peanut butter. Sometimes together.

4. Coffee is my favorite food group.

5. I hate shoes and wear them as little as possible. Even at work, when I can get away with it.

6. I love to bake and hate to clean up. And many times will put it off as long as possible.

You’re it: Mindy, Constance, Gallyko, Renate, Canarygirl, Mira!

Here’s a meme I received from Posh awhile back… I’m so behind!

Instructions: What you are supposed to do…and please don’t spoil the fun…Copy/paste, type in your answers and tag four people in your lists! Don’t forget to change my answers to the questions with that of your own.

(A) Four places I go over and over: Cape Cod, Lancaster PA, Virginia, (hopefully!) Sarasota

(B) Four people who e-mail me regularly: Miz Shoes, Melody, Shawn, Leesa

(C) Four of my favorite places to eat? North One10, Deli Lane, Woodlands, my house!

(D) Four places you’d rather be? Sarasota, Cape Cod, Boston, Vancouver

(E) Four TV shows I could watch over and over: America’s Next Top Model (ANTM), Project Runway, Dr. Who, Torchwood

(F) Four people I think will respond: Mira, Miz Shoes, Rozie, Shelly

Your turn!

I blame Miz Shoes. See those little eggs over there in the sidebar? Well, hers were so cute that I couldn’t resist. Now I’ve got several of my own. I’m such a follower. Please click on my eggs and (if the links work correctly) any resulting hatchlings. If that doesn’t work, click here.

I’ve forgotten nearly everything I ever knew about html code and I hope to get this working correctly eventually. I can’t even get the little boogers to line up side-by-side. Anyway, if I understand this properly, my eggs have to be clicked on so that they’ll hatch and not die.

I don’t know why I’m doing this. I can’t even remember to water the “chia pet” on my desktop.