Share Your World | Hail, Hail, Spring Is Here

/ Ally Bean

This is a photo of hail, pellets of frozen rain that fall in showers from cumulonimbus clouds, as seen on our deck. There is nothing inspiring about hail, yet there it is.  Hello, spring.

Spring is here and I’m ready for a change of pace vis-à-vis blogging.  

So starting today and in the coming weeks instead of me dreaming up something to write about here, I’m going to do Cee’s Share Your World Weekly Writing Challenge wherein I’ll answer her questions on Tuesday or Wednesday of each week.

I may post a few other things along the way, but for the most part I’m going to see where Cee’s questions take me.  ‘Cuz, you know, why not?  

And now, onto the main event…

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• How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? 

It depends on the time of day.  If it’s morning, say 9:00 a.m. when I’m caffeinated and alert, then I’m 35 years old.  However after a normal day, by 9:00 p.m. in the evening, I’m 85 years old.  This means, quite logically, that I age a little over 4 years every hour of the day.

• So, you’re on your way out and it’s raining. Do you know where your umbrella is or do you frantically search for it all over your apartment/house?

I know where my umbrella is.  It’s red and in the backseat of my car.  No one except me may use my red umbrella without written authorized consent, submitted in triplicate 24 hours before the proposed using of my umbrella.

I wasn’t always so selfish with my umbrella, but *true confessions* I married an umbrella thief + hoarder whose behavior has led me to institute a strict protocol about all umbrellas, use of said.

• Do you recharge your energy by going out with friends for a good time or by spending with quiet time alone?

To recharge I need quiet time alone, about 2 hours of quiet to every 1 hour of socializing.  Unless it’s Christmas-time, then it’s 3 hours of quiet to every 1 hour of socializing.

• Name three things you and your spouse, partner or best friend have in common.

Zen-Den and I: 1) look good wearing the color blue;  2) prefer mustard potato salad;  and 3) enjoy Ruth Galloway mysteries written by Elly Griffiths.

• Optional Bonus Question:  What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up? 

Last week’s gratitude award goes to Olly, the doggo featured in the YouTube video below.  His energy combined with his disregard for the rules made me laugh more than I can tell you.

This week’s looking forward to something goes to the yet-to-be planted pansies, sitting inside our garage.  IF there’s no frost, THEN I’ll plant them in pretty pots, and place the pansified pots by the front door and on the deck, adding some color around the outside of the house.

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This post is part of Cee’s Share Your World Weekly Writing Challenge.

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66 thoughts on “Share Your World | Hail, Hail, Spring Is Here”

    • philmouse, Olly is the best! I agree that there needs to be an award for joy.

      Some days I think that I age even faster than my stated formula, but overall that’s how I grow old.

      Cee’s questions are fun. I’ve often said that just showing up to my blog is my goal, forget stats and influence. Her prompts make it easier for me to show up here.

      Liked by 2 people

    • Maggie, I enjoy reading what other bloggers say in answer to Cee’s questions, so I decided to join in. Olly is the best, isn’t he? I like his attitude– and his refusal to be undone by a few mistakes.

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Now you have me pondering my answers to these same questions. Love your umbrella policy. I have yet to adopt a similarly successful one, but not for lack of trying and I think you and I may have the same recharge rates.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Allie P, my umbrella policy is the direct result of buying many black umbrellas that mysteriously disappeared from our house. When I happened to be in Z-D’s office at work, and discovered about 10 umbrellas tossed in his coat closet, I snapped. And became the lady of the red umbrella– with strict rules.

      Like

    • evilsquirrel13, you like hail? Hmmm. From my pragmatic point of view, I find it noisy + useless– and potentially damaging to car and roof. But then, I guess that’s what insurance is for.

      Like

    • Thanks, Akilah. I’ve never tried to consistently join in one of this ongoing challenges, but this one called to me, at least for a few months here. The questions are great, and Cee takes the burden of what to write about off of me.

      You can join in, too, you know? 🙂

      Like

  6. Always good to break up the routine with a new plan every so often. I took part in Cee’s challenge for awhile, until life became overly complicated and overwhelming. I do love to read the many bloggers that partake though so glad you joined the group. Also, you are spot on with the age thing in the first question, except for me the 85 comes around 7pm and if I make it to 9pm then I’m well beyond 100.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, made me laugh with your analysis of how you age. Perhaps I’m being too optimistic about how old I am at 9 p.m.

      I agree about changing things up on my blog. I enjoy trying new things, and considering that this is a personal blog, why not give Cee’s Challenge a try? It’s not like a permanent tattoo [forever], it’s a way to think differently [for a while]. Seems like a good idea to me.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. What a cool challenge to follow, although it seemed like ideas for blog posts seemed to fall into your lap most of the time. If I wasn’t gearing up for the A to Z I might join along – maybe in May I’ll give it a try. You would never have to lose your umbrella to me. I hate the darn things. I try not to think about age at all. I just had a birthday and thought I was 63 but it turns out I’m only 62 so I feel like a spring chicken (who knows what a spring chicken actually feels like and why do we say that?) Yes to recharging! Wish my husband was a mystery lover! Cute doggie.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, if I was doing the A to Z Challenge, no way would I do Cee’s Challenge at the same time. I’m not that clever. But considering that my spring is looking overly busy, I think answering Cee’s questions will be a great way for me to keep blogging, while not losing my mind worrying about what to write about. A win-win, I do believe.

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Thanks for the giggles and grins! See . . . this is a “happy” post and I don’t hear any crickets. I heard great guffaws!

    Thanks for the Ollie video. No need to ask how old he thinks he is!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Olly did make me LOL! 😀
    I love your umbrella protocol, too. And I hear ya on the 3:1 over holidays. Mmhm. People be all, “It’s good you have the weekend to recharge” and I’m over here like, “It’s Tuesday after, and I’m still not recharged” but I’m gettin there 😉

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Most of your responses resonated with me – especially the one about the alone time needed to recharge my batteries. I hadn’t thought about joining this challenge before, but your reasoning (taking the pressure off during an especially busy time) may make me reconsider.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, I need my quiet time if I’m to be at all social. Too much carrying on without a respite, and I became almost incoherent when I’m forced to be around people. Too tired to interact.

      I always enjoy reading everyone else’s answers to Cee’s questions, so I decided to join in. I have a full spring, and maybe summer, ahead of me– and her questions will keep me blogging EZPZ.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I age at about the same rate by evening that you do, but I start out older than you so…. I dunno. Normally, internally, I’m about 5, though so…. who knows?

    I know where my umbrellaS are and NO ONE may touch them, ever.

    Your Christmas-time ratio is my normal one. Christmas demands, like five times my usual.

    I already exercised three times by scrolling back up for those questions, so I won’t answer the last two.

    And methinks that puppy needs (a) glasses and (b) less caffeine.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Tara, the aging question is a stumper. I look one age, feel an ever shifting age, and think I’m a different age entirely.

      I understand about you umbrella preferences. When you want one, you want one NOW.

      You bring up good points about Olly. Is he nearsighted? Does he get too many cups of coffee each day? Further inquiry is needed.

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  15. Thanks for the laughs! The age thing definitely depends on the time of day. Most of the time I can’t remember how old I’m really supposed to be so that helps. I love Ollie and now I’m tempted to get another dog but since it’s late afternoon and nearing the end of the day, I don’t have the energy to fully contemplate it.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Sheila, I understand. According to my birth certificate I’m nowhere near 35 or 85, but what does it know?

      Olly is so happy! Don’t know that I’d like to live with him, but he does inspire me to break more rules with a smile on my face.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. After you stopped by to say hello to me, I giggled at your comment on Maggie Wilson’s site, which told me I needed to come see what you are about. I like it, so I think I’ll drop by now and then.

    Liked by 1 person

  17. I absolutely LOVE that Jack Russell in the video. Thanks for sharing this.
    I also loved your answered to Cee’s questions. I look forward to your answers next week.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, I suspect that Olly has won the hearts and minds of everyone who sees him. Glad you enjoyed his antics. I’ve never tried to do a weekly challenge every week so we’ll see how it goes, eh? Thanks for stopping by.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. “Why not?” is one of my favourite responses to most questions 🙂 I’m looking forward to more sharing of your world. Meanwhile, I’m still puzzling over mustard potato salad. I’ve never heard of it and now I’m going away to look it up …

    Liked by 1 person

    • Joanne, good point about “when not?” It does answer so many questions!

      We like mustard potato salad because it doesn’t have peppers, bacon, sour cream &/or sugar in it. There are about 7 different kinds of potato salad around here so one has to be discerning when one purchases one’s potato salad. 😉

      Like

  20. Age calculation — you nailed it on the head, kiddo! And Olly is too funny, but I also got such a kick out of the commentator, who obviously loves his job–he was laughing it up and enjoying the antics of Olly. That made my heart warm.

    What a fun challenge with neat questions! Me like!

    Like

    • Kate, thanks. Yes the age calculation is accurate, and makes me sad that it is accurate. My real age is neither extreme, but given my druthers I’d rather be closer to 35 all day!

      Olly is such a fun little goof and you’re right about the commentator– he [and his British accent] loved him.

      You can always do the challenge, too– you know?! Cee’s questions are good ones, never provocative or partisan, just a fun place to start babbling about yourself.

      Like

  21. Sigh. Age…sometimes I actually forget how old I am. I never lie about it, however; that seems silly to me.

    Umbrellas: I used to have an enormous pink and white striped one when I was teaching. I carried it out during every single fire drill or bomb threat so that students (and my own sons!) knew where I was. There were some kids who felt better with me, and they made a beeline toward that huge happy canopy. Sadly, it has, after decades of Stellar Service, given up. I retired it with dignity. Now, I have at least five umbrellas in various places, and always one in my car. Always.

    Potato Salad–I am not fond of, but respect your affection for, mustard-dressed potato salad. I will never understand German Potato Salad, that warm, vinegary-but-sorta sweet, bacony stuff with sliced potatoes. Ugh. No thank you.

    Like you, I do not have my own dog, but get a big kick out of other exuberant dogs. I saw that dog video on TV and became immediately joyful. And dachshunds–wiener dogs–running at top speed will always be my favourite thing to laugh at, with that dog video a hot second.

    Liked by 1 person

    • nance, I know what you mean about the age thing. I forget, too.

      Your umbrella, used both as a way to stay dry and as a way to provide safety, is brilliant. Good thinking, teacher + mom.

      My mother was not much for potato salad, either. I grew into liking it as an adult, but only the mustard one. All the other varieties with their weird flavors don’t appeal to me. Give me mustard or give me chips!

      Olly is the kind of positive influence that we all need in our lives. He doesn’t care that he’s a screw-up, he’s just happy to be included.

      Like

    • Susan, got me laughing with that one. Yes, I’m aging rapidly as I type this comment. Glad you liked this Q & A approach to blogging. I thought I’d try doing Cee’s questions for a few months, taking the burden of what to write about off of me.

      [Burden? Perhaps I should say, opportunity! That sounds more upbeat. Personal blogging must not be a burden.]

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Your umbrella policy sounds tough but fair to me. I live in a home with three noted umbrella thieves, so I know what I’m talking about. I loved the little dog, by the way. I wish I could approach daily life with anything like that enthusiasm.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Bun, my umbrella policy has worked well because of its toughness. Also, when I get mad you know it, so potential offenders know the penalty for taking my red umbrella. Agreed about the dog. He knows no limits, I know so many…

      Liked by 1 person

  26. I am the opposite in age; I feel old in the morning, and younger in the evening. I think it’s because I get up at 5 a.m. When I retire and can sleep until I want, I think I will be more like you. 🙂 I live in Washington State, so I have several umbrellas in my car, my home and my classroom. It’s a necessity.

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    • Margaret, come retirement you may be surprised by how much younger you feel all the time! I get up early, but am a morning lark by nature so retirement or not, that’s when I’m at my best. Yes, I take your point about Washington state, umbrellas are a must. Around here, they’re a preference.

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  27. Clearly you have a garage, because we live in a townhouse with a parking lot, no garages, so if it’s raining, we need an umbrella to GET to the car. And yes, later in your post, you mentioned the garage. I bought a couple of umbrellas this year, just so we would have enough. It may have worked. Have you seen the reverse umbrellas? I’m curious, but haven’t bought one yet.

    I LOVE THAT DOG. Thank you for sharing that with us, it made me laugh.

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    • J, I remember living in a townhouse where getting to our car required an umbrella and boots/old sneaks because there were puddles. Having an attached garage is a luxury that I do enjoy! I’ve not heard of reverse umbrellas, never seen one. You get one first, then tell us all about it, ok? 🙂

      Olly made my week, I couldn’t stop laughing at him. Even thinking about him brings a smile to my face. Glad you enjoyed his antics.

      Like

    • pavinganopinion, thanks for being a cool kid! I like CEO’s questions because they do bring out the most interesting answers– from everyone who answers them. Thanks for taking the time to read mine and to comment.

      Like

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