Gobble Share 🦃

Happy Thanksgiving week! Melanie has new questions for us to ponder as we get ready to nom…

1. What is worse than a dentist with bad breath?

One who doesn’t use anesthesia! Seriously though, I once had a hygienist who lectured me about the devil while she was working on my teeth. That was disturbing… 😬

2. Have you ever been rejected by someone that you liked, or been told that you were not good enough for somebody else?

Four years ago this week I was dumped by someone I’d been dating for a few months. We had made T-day plans and vacation plans too. I really liked him despite the fact that he’d been a jerk ~ he had apologized for that, and I forgave him. He basically said I wasn’t good enough for him because while he’d spent a bunch of money on our dates, I hadn’t baked cookies for him. He also said that the fact I was 3 years older bothered him. This all triggered me into a depression, not so much due to missing him or anything like that, but because my judgment was/is so fucking bad in this area. I should never have gotten together with him in the first place much less accepted his phony apology.

3. Did you ever want to have toast for breakfast, only to find that all your bread was covered in green mold?

No. But last week I didn’t seal my cheddar cheese properly and it got all dried out.

4. Did you ever sneeze so hard that your whole body hurt?

My whole body hurts every time I sneeze. It jerks my owie back, which begins shooting pain all over.

5. Did you ever buy clothing on the internet that did not fit, but you wore them anyway, since you didn’t want to pay the $5 shipping charge to send them back?

No. I’ll send them back, or, if they’re cheap, I’ll donate them. This rarely happens though since I know my size pretty well.

6. As a nod to the upcoming American Thanksgiving Holiday which happens this Thursday, please share in the Gratitude Section anything you might be thankful for this particular November.

I’m always grateful for my family, and this year I’m especially grateful for my lovely roomie too.

Stay safe, everyone! 💛🧡🤎

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Oddball Share

Melanie has plucked some questions from the weird zone and offered them to us this week in a crazy bouquet. 💐

1. Is cereal soup? Why or why not?

Cereal is not soup, whether either is hot or cold. Soup is a liquid, while cereal is a solid. Some cereals can become liquidy if you add milk or water, but grain itself is not a liquid.

2. What are some interesting ways to answer everyday questions like “how’s it going” or “what do you do”?

How’s it going? It’s gone! What do you do? Depends on the price…

3. What was your favorite toy growing up?

I loved Super Spirograph, puzzles, and Barbies. Caveat: I liked the Barbies of yesteryear when you had a few dolls and the fun was buying new outfits and accessories for them. Today, it’s not like that. Dolls come prepackaged to a theme, with everything included. You buy a new doll/package for a new theme. It takes away from creativity. I used to improvise stuff for Barbie scenes, crochet rugs for her house, find teeny play pets, etc. This is the Barbie from the year I was born. Find yours!

3. If you have a pet, and you could ask it three questions, what would you ask?

Why are you so loud? Why do you have to chase the other kitty until she swats you? Why don’t you bury your poop?

Attitude of Gratitude Section (Always Optional)

What’s one simple thing society at large could do to improve our world?

WEAR A MASK! 😷

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Surprise Share

Alrighty then! Let’s get to Melanie’s new set of questions…

1. Do you like or dislike surprises? Why or why not?

I do not, in general, like surprises. They’re often stressful in some way, upending plans already made.

2. What’s your favorite zoo animal?

Ooh, I love the zoo! Monkeys are fun, snakes are cool… love seeing elephants and gorillas and bears and TIGERS! Tigers are my fave.

3. What three things do you think of the most each day?

Work, family, my aching back.

4. When, if ever, is taking a human life justified?

In defense of your own life or that of someone you love.

Attitude of Gratitude Section (Always Optional)

Do small miracles exist?

I don’t believe in supernatural miracles, but I can usually find moments of joy in an otherwise bad day, which are little treasures to be cherished. Also, I try to remember…

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

November Share

Melanie has a new set of questions for us this week…

1. Which meal is your favorite: breakfast, lunch, or dinner?

Dessert!

2. Who do you admire most in the world?

My daughters ~ they’re awesome! 💖💖

3. With the obvious restrictions in place, what do you regret not doing in the last year?

I had to cancel my trip to NorCal to visit my daughter. I also had to cancel a fun trip to Las Vegas with friends. All game nights and restaurant type get-togethers have also been canceled, so I’ve just been sitting at home…

4. Feel free to share something you’re grateful for.

I did get to see my LA daughter yesterday and I made unicorn cupcakes with my little granddaughter. This also counts as my smile for the week!

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Experimental Share

Okay, the happiness engineers say they are working on the disappearing images in the app issue, but in the meantime, don’t make an image the first element of your post ~ also Ashley’s featured image solution works if you must have an image first. I did that and it worked. For this post, I’m trying the other thing (putting text first).

Melanie has a new set of questions for us today…

What’s the tallest building you’ve been to the top of?

I’ve been to the top of the Sears Tower in Chicago and also the Space Needle in Seattle. Whichever one of those is taller, that one.

What do you do to keep fit?

Run around in circles, leap to conclusions, skate on thin ice, and laugh my ass off!

What’s your jack-o-lantern carved to look like?

The last man I slept with, so I can set him on fire, mash him up to bits, and run him over with my car. Just kidding! I’m so over that whole thing, pffft… 🎃

Do you have hope or have you lost it?

I’m very anxious about the US election. If the impotus wins again, things will keep getting worse as they have all year. If Biden wins, I’m afraid bunches of rightwing gun nuts will go bananas. 😳

GRATITUDE QUESTION:

Feel free to share something you’re grateful for! Images and photos or poems, essays or free writing (stream of consciousness) pieces are all acceptable! AND you don’t have to do this part, it’s always optional!

I’m grateful the WP happiness engineers replied to me immediately about the image issue, offered me a temporary solution, and are fixing the problem. They say! 👻

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Ghostly Share

Melanie has some topical questions today…

1. Are we “here” or do we just think we are? (A metaphysical question today folks.) Can you prove your point of view?

I’m in favor of the mind/vat idea, which means this all is a projection, varying when the Prime Witch alters the brew and gives the mix a stir.

2. From an identity stand-point, which would be the worst for you personally to lose? Your face, your body or your voice? Which do YOU identify with most strongly for your own sense of self?

Face, I guess. I never liked my voice and at this point my body is so achy all the time I’d like to disown it!

3. Do you have a ‘song’? If you’re part of a couple, you could use “your couple’s song” OR a song that’s just always resonated with you.

People think “Hotel California” is my song, but I just like it a lot. “Blackbird” (Beatles) is very emotional for me because it was my mom’s favorite song. Another song that gets me is “This Guy’s in Love with You,” either the Bacharach version or Oasis. It makes me imagine things that never were but could still be. And the entire 12 Songs album by Neil Diamond speaks to me deeply.

4. Are ghosts real or has someone been smoking something and just imagines them?

The perception of something is “real,” even when the object doesn’t exist. Take phantom pain, for example ~ it’s real pain even when nothing is actually touching you. I’ve often thought my mother communicates with me, but it’s my memories of her manifesting in a different way. Those thoughts of her are real thoughts.

5. Please free free to share a moment of gratitude you experienced over the past week.

I found a silly Halloween headband to wear during Zoom games. Grateful for Amazon keeping me (mostly) out of stores and away from germy people.

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Home Share

Melanie is back to “normal” this week with her own four questions and nothing on HP.

1. Where do you feel most at home? Please be more specific than “at home, doh” please. It could be a room in your home, a person, a location… 😝 😁 😇

I enjoy being home and feel comfy sitting at my kitchen table with laptop, phone, cuppa tea, and Gatsby nearby.

2. Would you rather ride a bike, ride a horse, or drive a car? 🐎 🚗 🚲

Car, I guess, if I have to. Definitely not a horse because all that bumping would kill my back, and so would a bike these days, probably. Last time I rode a bike, I had massive neck and shoulder pain for a week after.

3. What song would you sing on “Karoke Night” (if you were forced to do so)? 🎤 🎶 🎻🎷🎺🎸🎵🎹

I have sung at karaoke and done a terrible job too. My voice is horrible plus idk when to even start singing! I think I attempted “Bang Bang” by Cher and a few others. Blocked it from my memory mostly…

4. University or life experience, which do you feel best prepares you for life? 🎓

First, I don’t think the “traditional” college experience of living away from home with a bunch of other clueless teenagers, being thrown into social and sexual situations you’re unprepared for, and drinking booze like a maniac is a good thing. Don’t even get me started on the travesty of “Greek life.” Second, I think trade schools have been way undervalued the past several decades while people rack up ridiculous debt to get a 4-year degree. The trades should be much more respected ~ we need plumbers more than marketers! That said, if someone takes a well-rounded slate of college classes and exposes their mind to literature, philosophy, art, psychology, etc., this all can be helpful throughout your life in order to better grasp history, logic, and human behavior. But ultimately, nothing better prepares you for life than living it and transforming your bad choices into learning experiences.

5. What are you grateful for?

This week I’m grateful for delicious pluots. Mmm, so good!

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Wrong Way Share

Melanie has some new Q’s for us today, and again they are preceded by Potter Q’s from Roger.

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions: 

1. Have you ever driven the wrong way on a one-way street? How did this come about?

Right after I moved to California, I had a doctor’s appointment in Pasadena. I got a bit lost and didn’t realize I was on a one-way street. I started to make a left turn from the right lane and the guy in the left lane hit me. It was my fault, of course. He was nice and helped me figure out how to get to the doc’s.

2. As a kid, did you ever decide to run away? Did you have a plan? Take a pet? Sandwiches?

I was 17 and “ran away” for a day because my parents were driving me nuts. I had cash and a car, so I picked up a friend and we went to lunch. At first, she said she’d run away too, but she changed her mind. I drove 50 miles into Chicago and ate dinner alone. Then I turned around and went home.

3. You suddenly found you have a hidden talent for playing a musical instrument. What musical instrument do you hope that accompanies your talent? Any particular song?

It would be great to be able to play the piano well. Any song.

4. Do you accessorize with jewelry? There was an opal necklace (cursed) and Slytherin’s locket (also cursed) in the Potter story. Have you had any heirloom jewelry passed down through the generations? Is it more ‘keepsake’ or do you wear it on occasion? (Hopefully, yours was not cursed?)

Yes, I wear jewelry every day, usually silver. Mostly I wear a silver bracelet that’s a chain of hearts and some other stuff depending on my outfit. I do not have any heirlooms, only a few things that belonged to my parents.

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Melanie’s Ordinary Muggle Questions:

1. What ingredients go into YOUR favorite salad?

Lately I’m not so much into leaves, so my favorite salad is cut tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, and of course avocado. A drizzle of balsamic dressing is good on that.

2. If you care to, share something that really irritates you.

Red light runners.

3. What are your favorite ‘lounging around the house’ items of clothing?  Now that a lot of people ‘lounge around the house’ waiting for the all clear in respect to Covid being shown the door, have those lounging items changed?

I like yoga pants and a big tee or sweatshirt. When it’s cooler, I’ll wear cozy socks. This hasn’t changed since the plague.

GRATITUDE (as always this is optional)

Please feel free to share something about Autumn (or Spring if you’re gearing up for that) that you especially enjoy! 

Grateful for my snuggly kitty.

 

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Smoky Share

Happy Moonday! Hope your air isn’t as horrible as California’s. Melanie continues with a double dose of Q’s for this week…

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions:

1. You have just been gifted a magic wand that specializes in completing household chores. You can request the completion of only two household chores. Which chores would you assign your wand to complete?

Wax the car! Paint the house! But seriously, since California is my home, I think this wand should magically clean our air from smoke and our water from pollution.

2. At the local Wizards-R-Us store there was a sale on handshake shockers, instant darkness pellets, and levitation pills. Which of these ‘party thrillers’ are you more likely to purchase?

Hello darkness, my old friend…

3. In the alley behind Wizards-R-Us, there was a tradesman selling a Love Potion. The sales pitch was too much for you and you yielded and purchased one vial. What do you do with it?

Pour it on a lottery ticket.

4. You are the Great Clearinghouse Winner of a new ‘good luck’ potion – Felix Felicis. It has to be used within the next thirty days or its potency becomes diminished. Do you use it? Do you give it to a friend in need?

Give it to a daughter.

Melanie’s Mundane Muggle Questions:

5. If everyone spoke their mind, would this world be a better or worse place? Why?

Worse. Just look at Twitter and FB! Yuck. People need to relearn what polite topics of conversation are. Hint: not religion and politics. The world doesn’t need to see all your ugly and hateful feelings… repress those suckers.

6. Can achieving nothing make a person happy?

By “a person,” I take it to mean me, and I say no. People who answer yes aren’t homeless and starving.

7. How do you know if you love someone enough to marry them?

You don’t, nor is there any guarantee they’ll love you till they (or you) die. It’s always a gamble.

GRATITUDE SECTION (as always this is optional)

Please feel free to write about or share an image of something you’re grateful for!

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Images credited to Melanie and Bitmoji

Shared Labor

Happy Labor Day! To honor our workers, including me, I will answer Melanie’s SYW questions, as I do almost every Monday. Once again, there are two sets… one from Roger for HP fans and one from Melanie except she copied them from others. 🙃

Roger’s Magical, Mystical Questions:

1. What happened to cause you to discover ‘bullies” were real?

Starting school. Kids are monsters. 👹

2. Eavesdropping. When given the chance, how often do you eavesdrop? (this may be a similar question to what some folks said they’d do with an invisibility cloak)

It depends. Mostly I hate all noise, which includes other people’s jabber. But if I get the feeling something interesting is going on, I might listen to use it in a story. This doesn’t happen often though.

3. Escalators, at one time, were the ‘next big thing’. When was the last time you rode an escalator?

I don’t remember… possibly when I went to the mall pre-plague.

4. Have you ever ‘let’ someone win in a sports competition or a board game? How did it turn out?

Yes. It was fine. I’m not that competitive in games generally… I simply like to play (in person… zoom sucks).

Melanie’s Muggle Questions:

I’m very short on time today (Sunday) so I’m borrowing from Rory and Sandmanjazz to fill the questions today:

1. Do our fears start with our DNA? (Credit to Rory)

Some do, especially the fear of potentially deadly things. Others can be triggered by a traumatic event. 🐍

2. If you could have your hair any colour for 24 hours, what colour would you choose? (Credit to Sandmanjazz)

Turquoise.

3. When do you think a person gets old? (Credit to Rory)

When they’ve lived 2/3 or more of their predicted lifespan. Age is a number!

4. GRATITUDE SECTION (as always this is optional). Please feel free to write about an uplifting moment in your life this week!

I’m grateful Benadryl exists.

~*~

©️2020 Paula Light and Light Motifs II. No unauthorized use permitted. Please check out Paula’s books for sale on Amazon.

Images credited to Melanie and Breaking Bad