Just for Fun

Trivia question answers for Wednesday May 13, 20261. How fast can bees fly? 15mph2. What general color does the skin turn as a result of jaundice? Yellow3. Who was the first sitting US President to ride a train? Andrew Jackson4. Which English word is a combination of the first two letters of the Greek    alphabet? AlphabetTrivia questions for Thursday May 14, 20261. How often are brain cells replaced?2. In Alaska it is legal ro shoot a bear, but illegal to do what to one?3. What do you get by mixing ginger ale with grenadine and a cherry?4. What is Goldfinger's first name? Enjoy your day.  05/14/2026

This morning, just before landing, when I saw land, I realized this is my new home country for a few years.   As expected, Passport Control was a long line - a couple of hours, and so was the rental car pickup!   Just made it longer for my kitties to be in their carriers, and Izzi kept telling me she wanted OUT.   On the plane she meowed a few times and wanted on my lap (she is NOT a lap cat...), but she stayed on my lap.  I gave Gabapentin to Lucy, as she goes bonkers with too many people, and knew TSA would be a nightmare.   She did well, and took her out a couple of times, but she got too nervous.With FOUR large suitcases, thought there would be luggage handlers at baggage, but NOPE.  I was on my own.   That was a treat.  May need to rethink this when I return.Heading towards Quartei... 05/13/2026

🌱 BALCONY PEOPLE vs BASEMENT PEOPLE 🌱There are two types of people you’ll encounter in life:🏢 BALCONY PEOPLEThey lift you higher.✔️ They celebrate your wins✔️ They encourage your growth✔️ They push you toward your potential✔️ They aren’t threatened by your successThey don’t just watch you win… they want you to win. 🙌🏚️ BASEMENT PEOPLEThey pull you lower.⚠️ They criticize more than they support⚠️ They drain your energy⚠️ They limit your thinking⚠️ They make you question your progressAnd sometimes… they don’t even realize they’re doing it.💡 THE REAL QUESTION IS THIS:Who are YOU in other people’s lives?Are you:🏢 building people up?or🏚️ pulling people down?Because relationships don’t just reflect your life…they shape it.🔍 Take a quick inventory today:Look at your circle. Your conversations.... 05/13/2026

Usually, preceding the words eating machine, is "Lean, Mean" and then the words "eating machine". Not so with guinea pigs or Bob Timm.To be fair I am not a 24/7 eating machine. My seemingly uncontrollable urge to eat is from 7PM to 9PM.REAL ESTATE APPLICATIONWe all eat but we don't all cook. While some folks are fine with a little "galley" MOST buyers prefer a larger kitchen. The advantage to a galley is that some cooks don't want anyone else in their way while they cook.Our kitchen is the largest room in our home and it serves as a gathering place. That being said my wife does not want any help in preparing meals but she appreciates being part of the conversation when we are entertaining.From a Real Estate professionals view (at least mine) if a Seller wants to make upgrades that make ... 05/14/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday May 12, 20261. From which country did the smorgasbord originate? Sweden2. What is the term for a bet before cards are dealt? Ante3. How many strings are on a baritone ukulele? 44. What company was founded in 1976 by "the two Steve's? AppleTrivia questions for Wednesday May 13, 20261. How fast can bees fly?2. What general color does the skin turn as a result of jaundice?3. Who was the first sitting US President to ride a train?4. Which English word is a combination of the first two letters of the Greek    alphabet? Enjoy your day.  05/13/2026

Not sure what is going on here lately but normally May is a little slower but not complaining!  Gave a tour of The Villages late last week and seeing this place through the eyes of a first-time visitor is so much fun!  I sure do love this place and a thrill sharing.  I normally see things I missed before.Time for the top three for the week, coming in at number three “Is Today Thursday or Friday,” guess many of you related to that problem which isn’t a problem.  Number two for the week was “Is Your Irrigation Controller Helping You,” currently being in a drought smart watering is important.  The number one for the week “Tour Day With My New Canadian Buddy!”  Always fun showing a first time Villages visitor around. Want a tour call me!  Dick Betts, REALTOR®The Betts TeamLPT RealtyThe Vill... 05/13/2026

Wordless Wednesday… We’re Egg-cited! Ready for another bluebird update?  Our always dependable Box 1 had us concerned this year because Mama Bluebird got off to a late start. Sadly, none of the 5 birds from the first brood lived to begin a life in the wild. Last week, there was a nest, just waiting for a new family! We now have 5 beautiful blue eggs. Two of our boxes at Kickerillo are vacant but we are keeping our fingers crossed.  Box 4- We had 4 eggs, and as of this week, only 2 have hatched.  Our Bluebird Box at Casa Streib- Mama Bluebird did not waste any time starting her third brood. Less than one week after her second brood fledged, Mama built her third nest, and we now have two eggs!Finally…we’ve been lucky and have Orioles migrating through our area. These beautiful, bright ora... 05/13/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Sam today, andworthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore Whipped Cream on My Strawberries, Thank you!   🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓    Last weekend, a fellow gardener and I was exchanging information and told her that my strawberry plants out in the patch looked a little sad this season.   She leaned on her hoe and said, "You know what they need? A ... 05/12/2026

I thought today's cartoon was a bit of a groaner but it did remind me of a cartoon Timmothy wrote a few years back that I thought was pretty genius for a cartoon.Sticking with the "Green Thumb" theme and relating it to Real Estate I'm going to apply it to listings for sale and Home Staging. I will call on Kathy Streib to help me out on this as I may not know what I am talking about, BUT i have to assume that if your houseplants don't look like they just came out of the greenhouse you need to toss them or make sure they are out of sight. Oddly enough I have not heard this topic approached before (house plants and showings/staging).Imagine considering purchasing a home and you see a plant with spider mites or other insects on it, YUCK! Personally I'd want to bolt out the door before I fee... 05/13/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday May 11, 20261. What is lighter, gasoline and water? Gasoline2. What TV sidekick was portrayed by Jay Silverheels? Tonto3. Trinidad and Tobago are part of what continent? North America4. What was the first pepper to go into space? The chili pepperTrivia questions for Tuesday May 12, 20261. From which country did the smorgasbord originate?2. What is the term for a bet before cards are dealt?3. How many strings are on a baritone ukulele?4. What company was founded in 1976 by "the two Steve's?Enjoy your day.  05/12/2026

It sure seems like a L O N G  time ago I started talking about moving to Portugal, and today, here we are today!SO much to do to immigrate the right way, and not be an illegal alien.   It isn't cheap either to get this done, so it is best if you KNOW for sure you want to do this!Meeting with best friends over the last few days is hard, as you know you won't see them for a while.  Although, one is taking a cruise and docks in Lisbon next May.  I will miss seeing our glorious mountains, the weather (it was 85 today) and low humidity.BUT, I can only imagine all the destinations I will see for the first time.   Today my friend asked me what the first thing will be when I get to Quarteira - I want to walk the beach!   Sure hope the kitties will be good with 11 hours+ in their kitty carriers.... 05/12/2026

Whipped Cream on My Strawberries, Thank you! 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓  Last weekend, a fellow gardener and I was exchanging information and told her that my strawberry plants out in the patch looked a little sad this season. She leaned on her hoe and said, "You know what they need? A top-dressing of horse manure. Nothing beats it for sweetness and vigor."  After trying that, it was hard to get the taste out of my mouth and instead, will take a generous swirl of whipped cream on top, straight from the mixing bowl! Sometimes, the best gardening advice is the kind you eat with a spoon. 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓 🍓  05/12/2026

This post is actually about fences.Yesterday's post was about humans eating bugs. Today I'm talking about dogs and guinea pigs.I am pretty sure that most dogs would make a meal out of a guinea pig if one was set before them.If we still had a guinea pig they would not find much comfort in our chain link fence. That being said we did lose a guinea pig for about 48 hours who escaped it's little outdoor pen and hid next to a grapevine covered chain link fence.So this blog is actually a blog about fences.Let me tell you about our neighbors chain link fence. Between their home and ours is a professionally installed chain link fence. The rest of the backyard is a Hodge Podge of 3' wire fencing that includes a few wood pallets to fill in troublesome gaps.That mix was good for their old bull dog... 05/12/2026

Trivia question answers for Sunday May 10, 20261. SNAP stands for what in the US? Supplemental Nutrient Assistance Program 2. What is the world's second largest country? Canada3. What are Scrooge McDuck's three mischievous nephews in "Duck Tales"?    Huey, Dewey & Louie4. What TV network was home to the TV series "Gunsmoke"? CBSTrivia questions for Monday May 11, 20261. What is lighter, gasoline and water?2. What TV sidekick was portrayed by Jay Silverheels?3. Trinidad and Tobago are part of what continent?4. What was the first pepper to go into space?Enjoy your day.  05/11/2026

Hard to believe that Mothers' Day is upon us.  I read today that 75% of children prefer to TEXT Mom instead of calling her!!!  I am pretty certain that nearly 100% of Moms prefer (in order) a) SEEING YOU, b) receiveing a thoughful gift/memory, c) receiving a CALL!!!My mom (in Heaven) definielty would not appreciate a text....I realize that many of utilize text as a prefered method of communication, but c'mon...Moms desercve more!!One of my staff members spent hours putting together a virtual card that listed many of his great memories that were spent with his Mom. Apparently, she had tears in her eyes while reading it - especially since he and his mom have had some struggles with each other lately. So, put the phones down...visit Mom if practical or at least have a form of personal cont... 05/10/2026

 Motivational Monday…Acceptance Years ago, a friend was going through a difficult time in her personal life. I spent many late nights on the phone and countless hours in person being her shoulder to cry on.  After months (and months), it occurred to me that unless and until she accepted what was, she was never going to move on with the rest of her life. She was stuck! She wasn’t alone. Reality can be a tough pill to swallow for many of us at different times in our lives. And yet, if we aren’t willing or able to accept the change in our lives, we become like an anchor to the one thing we can control…US!  Being willing to accept the new NOW, doesn’t mean we approve of it, or that we’re giving up. It means that we’re acknowledging the change and are moving forward. If you are going through... 05/11/2026

Exploring the annals of history is always a fascinating journey, offering glimpses into the significance of various dates. Here are a few intriguing historical tidbits to dive into this week.   THIS WEEK IN HISTORY ♦ 2014: Russian President Vladimir Putin signs a bill May 18 annexing Crimea.♦ 2008: On May 19 The final season buildup for Sex and the City movie release had fans buzzing everywhere.♦ 2004: Massachusetts same-sex marriage legalization officially began, marking a major milestone in U.S. history on May 19.♦ 2004: On May 17 American Idol fever swept the country as viewers passionately debated finalists.♦ 1998: On May 15 The final episode of Seinfeld had America talking after attracting over 70 million viewers.♦ 1988: After a futile 8-year war, Soviet troops withdraw from Afghan... 05/14/2026

Happy Mother's day to all the beautiful mothers out there!!!"Of all the special joys in life, the big ones and the small,A mother’s love and tenderness is the greatest of them all." 05/10/2026

Bill Salvatore of Arizona Elite Properties featured a post toRe-Blog today on Active Rain. Good post by Kay today, andworthy of our daily Re-B. Gilbert AZ GILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler #Sellmyhouse #whatsmyhomeworth #homevalues#2026market #ArizonaEliteProperties #ChandlerAZ#yourValleyProperty #GilbertRealtor #AZVHV#buyingaHome #LiveinSunnyAZ #BillSalvatore Home is where Mom is.  Today we celebrate the mothers, grandmothers, and mother figures who fill our lives with love, comfort, and unforgettable memories. Thank you for making every house feel like home. Wishing all the amazing moms a beautiful and joy-filled Mother’s Day!  If finding the perfect home for your fami... 05/10/2026

In order to take pets on a plane to a foreign country, you are required to have a Vet send in a Health Certificate to the USDA in Washington State.    I took Izzi & Lucy in this past Tuesday (must be done within ten days of flight), and the Vet emailed it to the USDA. They need to verify all info is correct, then sign off.  They must Fed Ex the form back to me and my flight info (date) was on the form.The vet called Saturday and said my form was STILL PENDING, which means it has not been sent to me yet and asked what time my flight is.   I do need to leave for the airport around 12:30, so HOPE this form comes in Tuesday morning!Otherwise, I don't have a Plan B.Not sure when I could get another flight with two seats together, and my hotel outside Lisbon is non-refundable, as well as my 3... 05/11/2026