Cottage by the Sea

Getting to Know You

2026-10-18T13:16:40.797-04:00

It's 31°F tonight and the heat is on.

Tuesday 4 is available. We are due for another nor'easter by Monday.

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

Ignore the above paragraph. This week we're going rogue with questions inspired by a website devoted to giving penpals topics for their letters.

Getting to Know You

1) Describe yourself in three words.

Studious, exhausted, and I have no clue.

2) What's your favorite dish at your favorite restaurant?

I really don't have a favorite. The 18oz ribeye at Delmonico's in NY is really good.

3) Did you set goals for 2026? If yes, how are you proceeding toward them?

I don't set goals anymore as I can't live up to them because of physical limitations.

4) What's something you have learned the hard way?

That many people are not trustworthy or nice. That if there is one thing we get wrong over all in life is to weary in well doing and treating others better than we treat ourselves.

5) If you could skip one item on today's to-do list, what would it be?

Not much on the agenda at all today. I need to clean the kitchen up a bit more and I'd rather skip that.

Somewhere Over Laredo

2026-10-16T22:27:59.476-04:00

Hi friends,

Another stormy weekend ....

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every
Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday 9: Somewhere Over Laredo (2025)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it HERE

1) In this song, Laney Wilson namechecks Tito's Vodka. Is there a product you you are very brand loyal to? (It doesn't have to be liquor. Maybe you always reach for Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, even if another soap is on sale.)

I am loyal to Rienzi canned products from Italy. They are natural and extremely low sodium and healthy.

2) The lyrics start with her in a window seat on a flight out of Houston. Do you prefer the window or the aisle? Aisle seat. I don't want to climb over people and I don't care what's outside.

3) She's dreaming of rodeo nights with the guy she loves. If you could spend this evening with anyone at all, anywhere at all, where would you go and who would be with you?

Out to dinner with my friends and family.

4) Lainey is from Baskin, LA, population 200. Do you prefer big cities or small towns?

Both have their place. I live in a small coastal community now but I wouldn't mind living in New York City at all.

5) There's a Netflix documentary about Lainey called Keepin' Country Cool. What show have you recently streamed? I haven't streamed anything in a while but I do watch a number of things on YouTube.

6) This week's song borrows liberally from "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," so much so that "Rainbow" songwriters Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg receive credit. "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is the most beloved song from The Wizard of Oz. Can you name another?

If you mean from the movie it would be the songs If I Only Had a Brain and Follow the Yellow Brick Road. Oh.. and We're Off to See the Wizard.

7) In 2025, when this song was popular, more patients took advantage of telehealth than ever before. Have you ever had a virtual doctor visit?

No.

8) Also in 2025, smart home technology was integrated into more new home construction. Do you use smart devices to automate your lights, thermostat, or doorbell?

No but I do have a smart device. I use it for time, weather, information and to make hands free emergency photo calls..

9) Random question – On which day are you happier: a) the day you take off on vacation or b) the day you return home from your trip?

It's exciting to go and it's a pleasure to return home again. I think they are about equal.

Another Wednesday

2026-10-13T23:43:48.833-04:00

Hi friends, I have spent the day looking for some relatives graves in Pennsylvnia and found quite a few

The weather was very temperate today and nights now are chilly.

The banner I am using is one of the first times I ever put up a finished product... I never really do. They are always half done. This one has a cheat on it... I used AI to amplify the light from the lighthouse. Otherwide, its my own painting.

Here are some prompts from Wednesday Hodgepodge:

1. Do you think you're driven more by curiosity or comfort? Explain.

Always curiosity. I have an insatiable drive to study, learn, find, etc. When there is a question about something I will immediately research it to find the meaning, etc.

2. What non-food item is in your refrigerator or freezer?

I have some cold packs of various sizes in my freezer.

3. Are you comfortable with silence? Yes.

If you're home alone, do you like silence or do you need regular background noise?

I am not one who needs music and TV on all the time and actually I don't like that very much. I prefer the sounds of the outdoors that leak in through the day: kids, dogs, seagulls and etc.

Today there is a cricket in the office who has come inside. He is singing all day long.

Do you seek out times and places to be silent?

No, I don't actively seek them out, they are just there in the place where I live.

What's your favorite place to find silence/be silent?

My own home and neighborhood are usually quiet. I am in a unique area where nature is very close.

4. Carpentry, electrical, plumbing, landscaping...which skill would you most like to possess and how would you put that skill to use today?

Landscaping. I would redo my property for sure. Secondly I would love to be a carpenter to fix up my home.

5. Do you lean more towards being too needy or too independent?

I go between both.

Which do you find harder to deal with in others?

Needy. I am ill equipped anymore to help anyone with that except on a verbal basis and even then not a lot.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

“I was burning, while you came blaming me for the smell of ashes” Kamryn Tanner from the poem I Burn for You.

This quote fits the view of the poor and disadvantaged, the abused wife,child... so many.

A similar quote is one about mocking how someone swims while they are drowning.

Ideals.. Tuesday 4

2026-10-13T01:53:23.285-04:00

Welcome to Toni's Tuesday 4... all about ideal situations.

1. What's your ideal road trip/vacation?

My ideal road trip is to just cruise along and stop for meals along the way.

2. What is your ideal evening out? Going out for dinner is my ideal.

3. What is your ideal way to handle criticism? Brush it off? Take it personally? Reflect on it?

It depends on the criticism. If it's real and said correctly I think about it. Most times though people criticize because of jealousy or to hurt your feelings. In that case I brush it off and then write them off.

4. What is your ideal day off? I like to just take it easy at home.

Happy Columbus Day

2026-10-12T14:37:52.244-04:00

Hi friends!

In fourteen hundred and ninety two, Columbus sailed the ocean blue!

Survey Says...

2026-10-10T22:26:17.599-04:00

Hello! Mornings by the bay are very chilly now that Autumn is in full swing.

This week's highly random questions were stolen from Love Me Some Surveys.

Survey Asks ...

1. What was the last gift you received? While I paid for the lumber, the labor of building my back porch was a gift from the Famous Anonymous.

2. Who did you last hang out with? My youngest daughter.

3. Do you often lose the remote? No. I make it a habit to put things in their place so I rarely lose anything.

4. When did you last check Facebook? Today.

5. Are there scented candles in the room you're in? Yes. Amazon delivered more Glade Smooth Bourbon and Oak candles that I like so much.

6. Next time you leave the house, where will you be going? I have no clue.

7. Do you know anyone named Steven or Stephen or Steve or Stevie? Yes.

8. Which do you prefer: macaroni salad or potato salad? Potato salad. I often have found macaroni salad to have a slight bitter taste if peppers are added.

9. Do you have an ice maker in your refrigerator door? No. It's in the freezer but since my refrigerator is on the opposite side from the sink it's not set up and besides, I don't use much ice so it's not necessary. If I need ice for guests I just buy a bag.

10. When you woke up this morning, did you get up straightaway or lounge a bit? I just got up straughtaway.

Big Girls Don't Cry

2026-10-10T07:32:29.918-04:00

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Saturday 9: Big Girls Don't Cry (1962)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) When is the last time you shed a tear?

I'm writing this on Thursday and I cried today from pain. I am exhausted with it.

2) Lyricist/producer Bob Crewe recalled he got the idea for this song while watching a movie on TV. "Big girls don't cry" was a line from the 1956 film Slightly Scarlet. Click on the title of the movie to watch Slightly Scarlet for free on YouTube.

Give us a quote from another movie.

“Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” You've Got Mail

3) This inspiration came to Bob during the late night/early morning hours. What time of day are you most productive?

I don't notice a difference in productivity based on the time.

4) Bob wrote another song for the Four Seasons, "Silence Is Golden." The band was not happy with their recording and never released it as a single. Three years later, The Tremeloes had an international Top 10 hit with "Silence Is Golden." Tell us about a decision you wish you could do over.

There are too many to list.

5) Before he got his big break, Four Seasons lead singer Frankie Valli worked as barber. Do you have a hair care appointment scheduled?

No, but I wish I did. I haven't had a pro cut in years.

6) Oscar-winning actor Joe Pesci has a connection to the band. He was a young chum of Four Seasons founding member Tommy DeVito. By the time DeVito left the group and found himself overwhelmed by gambling debts, Pesci was a star. He helped his friend out, making Tommy his personal assistant and getting him cameo roles in films. Tell us about someone who has been there for you in tough times.

My friend Keegie and there are others as well throughout the years.

7) The Four Seasons disbanded in 1977 after 17 years together. The original bandmates reunited onstage 1990 when they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was an important night for them professionally and personally, too, as it gave the old friends a chance to reconnect and mend fences. Is there anyone from your past you wish you could reach out to?

No.

8) Another hit song from 1962 was "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." Tony Bennett compares San Francisco to Rome, Paris and Manhattan. Have you visited any of those four cities?

Autumn in Central Park

I have been to Manhattan hundreds of times.

9) Random question – You're home all alone. Do you close the door when you use the bathroom?

Nope. Safer for you not to close it. It's closed only if someone else is around.

Autumn by the Bay...Friday Photos

2026-10-09T09:23:14.157-04:00

A cool night here on the coast.

Skywatch Friday does not let me log in to post there...so no more Skywatch Friday for me.

Darkening autumn skies are beautiful

Rich orange is all over the place

Cranes lift boats in and out of the water. Woods are right on the bay here.

The yard is ablaze with color

Phragmites reeds turn from green to gold .The open bay is right behind them here.

The fish are yellow, orange and white.. and match fall perfectly.

Cool autumn attitude with the Famous Anonymous

Autumn Leaves

2026-10-07T09:29:23.522-04:00

Welcome to New Jersey

photo found on FaceBook

Don't clean up the yard until Spring. Leave place for protection of bugs and animals. Lightning bugs depend on leaves in winter.

Routines.. Tuesday 4

2026-10-06T02:39:44.778-04:00

Howdy!

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

They say having routines in your life keeps you mentally healthier than living a disorganized or haphazard life. Schedules have a profound effect on our well being. Belonging to clubs, organizations is good for us.

According to research from UCLA Health, " a predictable daily routine supports mental health by reducing stress, lowering cognitive load, and creating a steady sense of personal control. "

It keeps sickness away too. People with good daily routines and habits live longer and decidedly healthier lives. It promotes a feeling of productiveness and purpose.

Boredom contributes to sickness and cognitive decline in the elderly.

1. Do you have a daily routine for yourself and for your home?

I try to keep one up but since I am disabled it is now harder but I try to use the Fuller sweeper daily, do dishes on time or the next morning, keep the kitchen and bathrooms clean daily, change sheets, etc.

2. What is your morning routine? How about your bedtime routine?

In the morning I wash my face and hands, brush my teeth, make my Stumptown Holler Mountain coffee, drink a bottle of water. Then I feed the fish and get some sunshine.

At night, I wash my face, brush my teeth . I apply castor oil .

3.Do you have a routine get together for a family meal or game/movie or pizza night?

We used to do that like clockwork but now 2 of us are in other places so it's harder.

4. AnyTV programs, clubs, organizational routines you never want to miss? Do you attend town meetings, choir practice?

There is nothing on right now that I must see and I havent been getting out much lately at all.

Currently

2026-10-05T11:08:51.910-04:00

I am...

Reading: Proverbs

Listening to: The story of Anna Wallace and the former Prince Charles.

Thinking: about buying Ryze as it is helpful for gut health.

Feeling: somewhat okay 😎 but a bit chilly.

Celebrating: that I am feeling okay. That is always something to celebrate.

Grateful for: All the wonderful rain we are getting Wonderful kidlettes.

Enjoying: A cup of Stumptown Holler Mountain Coffee. No mold, no additives, just pure good for you coffee.

Weather: 63°F and mostly cloudy

A quote I want to share:

"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's will that prevails" Proverbs 19:21

Sunday Stealing.

2026-10-04T10:01:41.256-04:00

Hello friends! It is raining again here at the seaside with temperatures in the 60s and silvery skies and light breezes. It's a nice day over all and I hope it's nice for you too.

Welcome to Sunday Stealing. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. Cheers to all of us thieves!

This week we have returned to If By Yes, a Canadian blogger who describes herself as a "left wing left hander with two left feet." It's a shame she doesn't update her blog anymore. Anyway, she inspired ...

WHAT?

1. What are you currently excited about?

The autumn holiday season is in full swing and I am always excited at that!

2. What do you wish you had more time for? I just want more time!

3. What would you like to do less? Drudge work. worry.

4. What do you spend too much money on? Medicine and food prices. I can no longer afford one of my medicines that I need.

5. What childhood wish never came true? A trip to Tahiti which of course was a ridiculous idea at age 10.

6. What did you do to celebrate your last birthday? I have no clue! Must have been real exciting huh?

7. What drives you nuts? Our awful government and our nutjob politicians.

8. What keeps you sane? Laughter and hope!

9. What historic date is etched in your memory? November 22, 1963 and November 25 of the same year.. he was buried on my birthday. The USA has never been the same since.

10. What one thing would make your life immeasurably better? Being healthy and having a decent income.

Eastbound and Down

2026-10-03T07:44:51.309-04:00

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Saturday 9: Eastbound and Down (1977)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song was featured in the movie Smokey and the Bandit, the surprise box office hit of 1977. Have you seen it?

I was never a fan of Burt Reynolds, so no. I didn't have any inclination to watch any of his movies and avoided them.

2) Though not well received by critics, Smokey and the Bandit had one very famous fan: Alfred Hitchcock. The classic film director enjoyed re-watching the movie on video at home, often while having dinner. Do you ever watch TV with your meal?

I will sometimes eat at my desk and watch something on YouTube.

3) Jerry Reed not only wrote and performed the movie's theme, he appeared in the movie as truck driver Cledus "Snowman" Snow. Have you ever driven, or ridden in, a big rig?

Riden in one, yes. Driven one, no.

4) He sings, "We've got a long way to go and a short time to get there." Have you recently felt rushed?

Not recently but in the past people have made me feel rushed.

5) Director Hal Needham asked Jerry Reed for a song that explained the plot of the movie. He wrote this overnight and always considered it a happy accident. Can you think of a time when something turned out better than you expected?

I can think of a lot of things like that, so, yes.

6) Reed was born in Atlanta and, coincidentally, he mentions Atlanta in the lyrics. Has your
Barnegat bridge and bay Atlanic ocean beyond

hometown been immortalized in song?

Well yes . The song My Eyes Adored You by Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons takes place by my home.

My eyes adored you though I never laid a hand on youMy eyes adored you like a million miles away from meYou couldn't see how I adored youSo close, so close and yet so farCarried your books from schoolPlayin' make believe you're married to meYou were fifth grade, I was sixth when we came to beWalkin' home every day over Barnegat Bridge and BayTill we grew into the me and you who went our separate ways

7) Jerry met Priscilla Mitchell at Capitol Records, where Jerry was a session musician and Priscilla was backup singer. Though she was only 18 when they wed, it seems their union was a happy one and they were together until his death almost 50 years later. If a newly engaged 18-year-old asked you for advice, what would you say?

I would say that I charge for advice. If his own place is a mess.. dump him quick. If he is in debt..dump him. If he expects you to pay for his education..dump him. If he thinks he is better than you or your job isn't anything compared to his..dump him. If he doesn't take care of his own place, repairs on time, etc...dump him. If he disrepects you.. dump him. If he jokes about you or about women in general.. dump him. If he doesn't bathe or brush his teeth, dump him. Remember you are a priceless gem to be handled with respect and care. If he doesn't treat you like that..dump him quickly and move on. If he expects you to work and carry the full household load.. dump him.

A man who doesn't contribute at home is disrespectful. A man who won't let you be an adult with all that that means is a bad choice.

Never take marriage vows they are unbiblical. (There are no vows in Judaism or Eastern Orthodoxy) If you "must" take them say this: "bli neder" which means without making a vow.

Remember.. if marriage were of benefit to women, men would have bannded it long ago.(joking around.. sort of)

Over all... wait until you understand life better. Having said that, some of the longest marriages began as teenagers.

8) In 1977, when "Eastbound and Down" was on the radio, nostalgia for the 1950s topped the TV ratings. The two most popular shows that year were Laverne & Shirley and Happy Days. If you magically transported back to the 1950s, what do you think you'd like about it? What do you think you'd miss about your life in 2026?

No.. the 50s? Good grief.

50's: rampant racism, oppression of women, blacks, hispanics and indigenous people. Yeah, there is something to long for ...sheesh.

No credit card for women, no buying a home, car or opening a bank account without a man. No divorce even if you were viciously abused. Voter suppression and segregation. Jews couldn't stay in regular hotels or join clubs,etc.

No thank you.

Korea.. the start of Vietnam. The draft. Dream on baby.

It's all trying to make a comeback..so I will stay and fight against those who want that.

Wake up.. let's get to a time when if someone isn't free, no one is free. Civil rights must apply to all without regard to race, religion or sex.

9) Random question: Were you ever afraid of monsters in your closet or under your bed?

No. I never was.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

2026-09-29T11:40:50.415-04:00

Hey Friends, how are things going? I hope things are going well in your neck of the woods. In colonial days neck was a narrow strip of land you owned in a heavily forested area. Now you know and knowing is half the battle (GI Joe).

I am joining in for Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. When you think of autumn what sounds come to mind? I think the sounds that come to mind are the rustling of leaves in the forest, howling wind during the stormy days. When I lived in Utah the sound of Aspen trees fluttering in the wind was a sound I often think of.

I also think of the sound of crows in autumn.

I think of the sound of the song Carolina in the Pines by Michael Martin Murphy.

The wind blowing across the beach disturbing the sand is a sound I love to hear.

And all of these as well......................

from The Besotted Bookworm on FaceBook

2. Is a trip to the mountains something you enjoy?

Yes. I used to love going up to American Fork Canyon to camp. I also love the Poconos and as a kid I loved rock climbing with my dad in the Watchungs.

What's your favorite mountain?

Salt Lake City

I love Twin Peaks in American Fork and Ben Lomond and Mount Nebo all in Utah.

3. What's something that once felt like a mountain, but is now just a molehill?

A hill in the Watchung mountains my Dad used to climb with me.

4. Let's play this or that-fall foods edition. Yes you have to choose.

pumpkin spice latte or chai latte ... Duh! Pumpkin Spice!
apple cider or hot chocolate Hot Chocolate. Truthfully both chocolate and apples are not good for me. Apples give me a stomach ache and chocolate gives me a migraine.
stew or chili Chili first, Stew(with Sherry) 2nd.
sweet potato casserole or green bean casserole Green Bean casserole.
butternut squash soup or creamy mushroom soup I don't want either of them. Can I just have some Potato Leek soup instead? But if you wanna be hard nosed about this I will choose the cream of mushroom soup.
cranberry sauce or gravy Gravy please

5. Sum up your September in a sentence or two. Mentally it was marvellous, Nor'easter and all, the weather was spectacular.

6. Insert your own random thought here. In the past the emphasis was on kids outdoor activities. Porches had soccor, baseball, football and Lacrosse, hockey equipment and shoes.

The Cozy Pastime of Reading. and some Sunday Stealing

2026-09-28T22:52:24.939-04:00

Hello friends!

Everytime I try to type the number 4 , I hit the 5 and it isn't unusual for me to type fiends for friends.

Did you take typing in high school? I did and so glad that I did and I got proficient at it too. Makes blogging so much easier. Now if I can just get the 4 right and remember to hit the 'r' in friends I will be doing a lot better!

Now, on with the show... Tuesday 4.

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4 where we give you 4 questions to think about each week.

People make reading lists for the various seasons and many mention how cozy it can be to cuddle up in a favorite spot to read.

1. Do you have a list of books you'd like to read?

Every Autumn I like to re-read Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker who is one of my favorite authors. I also read Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving.

I don't live far from the Catskill Mountains in New York and Tarrytown is not too far away..so I enjoy reading about the area.

2. Where do you get ideas for books you want to read? What kind of books catch your interest?

Ideas for books to read come from other people's recommendations but also from advertisements and book reviews.

I am most interested in books I can relate to or that spark my imagination. I like books set in areas I love, like my beloved New England. I also like books with good cover art.

3. What have you read lately? Close to Shore by Michael Capuzzo. It's the story of the bull
shark that attacked people in Matawan Creek here in New Jersey back in the early 1900's. Bull sharks swim up fresh and brackish water creeks to spawn and are very dangerous and aggressive.

During this current Nor'easter here in New Jersey bull sharks have been swimming in the streets having come from the salt ponds and creeks and the ocean. We are very flooded right now. My street is a little river the last few days.

Also, The Blood of Avalon by Adrain Gilbert...the story of the grail dynasty.

The Rise of the Fourth Reich by Jim Marrs.

The Beginning by Avigdor Miller zt"l. It is a commentary on Genesis.

4. How do you find time to read and where do you make yourself cozy and comfy to read?

I read and listen almost constantly. I dedicate my time to learning and gathering information.

I usually read at my desk or at the dining room table. Most other chairs are not comfortable for me at all. Cozy reading involves cups of tea or coffee and a nice seat cushion. A lunch when listening to a book or documentary is often cream of tomato soup and a toasted New Jersey tomato sandwich with balsamic vinegar dressing. New Jersey is famous for tomatoes because of our rich soil.

Thanks for taking part in this continuation of Toni's weekly meme and if you haven't done so remember it is never too late to join in. You can use these questions anytime you want. Just copy and paste them into your post. It is very simple to do and there are very simple tutorials online if you are not computer literate. You will catch on in less than a minute!

If you have ideas for subjects just let me know here or in comments on this blog or on Tuesday 4 which is linked in the tabs above.

Here is Sunday Stealing:

Hi,

Once again this week we aren't stealing, we're contributing! These are questions suggested by our "usual suspects." If you can, please take a moment and visit your fellow thieves.

DIY Meme

1. If you were trapped in a TV universe for a month, what TV show would you choose? (Kwizgiver)

Ozzie and Harriet, Life with Father, Andy Griffith Show, Family Matters cuz the parents were wonderful and I loved Steve Urkel.

2. What song instantly revs you up and gets you going? (Annie)

America (We're coming to America) by Neil Diamond.

September.. Earth Wind and Fire,

After the Love Has Gone.. earth wind and fire,

AC/DC Thunderstruck.

Hey Teacher, leave them kids alone.. Pink Floyd.

3. Are you decorating your home for fall? (Lori)

A little bit but not too much this year .

4. How do you treat a cold? (Syl)

At the slightest hint of a cold I take zinc lozenges, echineca and vitamin C. Usually that nips it in the bud.

5. What insignificant thing would you be genuinely annoyed if you lost it or it was taken from you? (Lisa)

My bed pillows and blankets, my coffee cup, and my Fuller Brush carpet sweeper.

6. What place do you remember vividly, even though you haven't been there in years? (Country Dew)

My grandparents house where I was born.

7. Do you have a favorite Dolly Parton song or story? (Roger)

The song Hard Candy Christmas, a term for a difficult life something I know very well.

Thank you for playing! Please come back next week.

Don't Take Your Love...

2026-09-26T01:16:35.580-04:00

Saturday 9: Don't Take Your Love from Me (1956)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Doris Day sings about what happens when you take a petal from a rose. When did you last get or give flowers as a gift?

The Little gave me flowers in the Spring time.

2) This song is about a woman who fears losing her love. What's the most recent thing you lost? (Hopefully it's not as consequential as a great love. It could be as small or unimportant as the back of one of your pierced earrings.)

My wooden spatula. Someone else put away my clean dishes and that's always dangerous!

3) Doris was known as The All-American Girl Next Door. Who lives next door to you?

Mostly trees.

4) As a young girl, Doris Day was passionate about dance. She recalled that concentrating on her lessons helped distract her from the pain and embarrassment of her parents' divorce. When you want to escape from what's troubling you, what do you do?

Pray about it then watch some old movies or play a game.

5) The maitre d' at one of Doris' favorite restaurants wanted to ask her out. Knowing how she loved her dogs, he impressed her by handing her a bag of meat scraps and bones to take home. They began dating and, in 1976, he became her last husband. What's the best way to your heart?

Be a good person in every sense of the word.

6) Over her long career, Doris received Golden Globe and Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She was also inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, honored for being one of the most celebrated women to have been born there. Name a famous person born in your home state.

There are so many... but Frank Sinatra is pretty famous.

7) She was frank about her financial difficulties, yet some people are uncomfortable discussing money. Are you one of those people?

I don't discuss personal things much with anyone and certainly not online to any great degree.

8) In 1956, when Doris released this song, The Wizard of Oz was shown on network TV for the first time. What movie have you seen multiple times?

Quite a few of them but You've Got Mail, and of course the Doris Day movies Pillow Talk and Teacher's Pet with Clark Gable . If you have not seen Teacher's Pet by all means do see it. You can rent it on YouTube for about $3.00 and it's well worth it.

9) Random question: Would you rather have a chef or a chauffeur?

I would rather both equally so I want both. Oh, I also have equal need of a maid.. so I want one of them as well.

Nor'easter and Other News

2026-09-23T20:31:21.432-04:00

Wednesday night: Wave height tonight is over 14 feet and rising.

A king tide is a non-scientific term for the highest predicted high tides of the year, which occur naturally when the gravitational pulls of the sun and moon align closely with Earth.

Temperatures tonight will be in the low 50°Fs and the wind is already quite strong here along the coast.

In further news...

Chihuahua dogs are part Coyote!

Lake Ontario is still Lake Ontario. Lake Superior is still Gitchigumi and the spirits of Hiawatha and Nokomis still wander the area.

In strange news... my lilac has buds on it...and my Rhododendrun has a blossom! What in the world??

September So Far.....

2026-09-22T02:17:49.964-04:00

Welcome once again to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4. I hope you are enjoying taking part and as always, if you have ideas for topics please let me know here or in comments on

Hello Friend!

Cottage by the Sea.

1. How has your September been so far?

September has been a lovely month with mild daytimes and cool nights and good visits with friends, good food, happy kids and fun re-runs of Bewitched and Ozzie and Harriet.

2. What events are coming up next on your calendar or have there been any special days so far for you?

. My new porch lets me enjoy watching the water. thanks to the Famous Anonymous kid who built it for me.

Coming up next is sukkot or the feast of tabernacles which is a highlight of the year.

I got to visit with my friend and that was special as I haven't been feeling well lately and spending time with her was precious.

3. How's the weather been in your neck of the woods?

Beautiful.. through rain and shine September's weather has been wonderful.

As of late Monday night now, we are expecting a rather severe Nor'easter and I am sick feeling it . I ache all over badly and the storm may last for several days. But I can feel storms long before they hit and this one will not be nice at all.

4. How can we be praying for you or sending our good thoughts your way?

Prayers and thoughts for my health are always welcome. I struggle with it a lot and it has altered my life a great deal. Still, I don't let it get me down too much at all.

Four Superlatives

2026-09-20T05:46:01.745-04:00

Hello friends, I am offline for today but set this to post a couple of days back.

I'll be around to visit after Monday.

This week our inspiration is Life of a Fool. This blogger maintains this meme has "been seen everywhere." The questions only require a simple, definitive answer, but if you'd like to elaborate, we'd like to hear what you have to say.

Four Superlatives

1. Your MOST overused word or phrase: "Yeah.. no". Or.. " We can't know"

2. Your BIGGEST expense:Food.. utilities, medicine. Prices keep escalating

3. Your WORST fear: My thoughts are for the country. It is so far off the rails.

4. Your BEST memory of Summer 26: Being with friends and family.

Everybody Loves a Clown.

2026-09-19T02:24:06.255-04:00

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Everybody Loves a Clown (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Not everyone loves clowns. "Coulrophobia" is the irrational fear of clowns. Do you have any fears or phobias?

Not really, no. I am not a huge clown fan though.

2) This week's featured artist, Gary Lewis, sings that he jokes a lot at parties. In social settings, are you more a talker or a listener?

It depends on the situation and who is around. Sometimes I am quiet and sometimes I am very talkative.

3) He's dreaming of a special girl. Do you often daydream?

Yes I do. I enjoy it and often take off on flights of fancy.

4) Gary named his band The Playboys because they were always late to rehearsals and Gary joked that they would rather play than work. Do you tend to be early, late, or exactly on time?

From modern etiquette: "Arriving 10 to 20 minutes past the stated start time is the ideal window for a casual house party, allowing hosts crucial final preparation time. Arriving early or on the dot is considered rude." This is how I was taught by my Victorian grandparents and my Edwardian parents and I believe it makes good sense. I tend to resent it if someone is early.

5) Gary Lewis had first-hand knowledge of clowns. His father was famous funny man Jerry Lewis. Who always makes you laugh?

There are several comedians who I find very funny but right now I can't think of anyone but George Carlin.

6) In 2017, Gary was in the news when it became known that Jerry disinherited all six of his sons from his will. Have you ever attended the reading of a will? Nope, never.

7) This past summer found Gary Lewis on The My Generation Tour, performing with other acts from the mid-1960s, like The Lovin' Spoonful, The Hollies, and Mitch Ryder and the Detroit Wheels. Do you enjoy listening to "the oldies?"

I do, yes. They take me back.

8) In 1965, when this song was popular, Muhammad Ali defeated Sonny Liston to become the heavyweight champion of the world. Have you ever attended a boxing match?

No. I have never attended one but I have watched a few on television.

9) Random question: What color is your toothbrush? A sonic brush in white and turquoise.

Friday Photos...

2026-09-17T20:20:29.892-04:00

Hi friends and welcome.

“Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thanks for stopping by.

Beauty... a Wednesday Hodgepodge

2026-09-16T00:39:36.403-04:00

Hi friends and happy Wednesday...

I am in the middle of transitioning the blog here to an autumn theme. It has a way to go but should be finished in a couple of days.

Temperatures here in the Garden State are cool in the daytime and downright chilly at night moving down into the low 50°s at night. I know so many are sweltering in the heat and I wish I could send you some relief.

Here are this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge questions:

1. How do you define beauty?

The simple definition:Beauty is a quality of a person, place, or thing that gives pleasure, joy, or deep satisfaction to the senses and the mind. It's not complicated.

2. Have you ever taken a trip by train? If so where did you go and what did you think of the experience? If not do you have any desire to do so? Where would you like to go?

I have commuted by train and I am a rail fan who loves all things trains and have since I was a small toddler spending time watching trains with my grandfather.

I used to want to take a long trip on a train. The Orient Express would be nice but now I think I would pass and just stay home. There are lovely trips across Canada and of course many day trips on steam locomotives in many towns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

3. Shell shocked, bombshell, bandshell, shellacking, in a nutshell, walking on eggshells...choose one and tell us why you chose it, or how it relates to your life in some way currently.

I choose the word bombshell because I read some articles by famous actors on why Marilyn Monroe was a pain in the neck to others by holding up entire work days , just not showing up, her lack of concern or care about others she worked with and for, etc. She may have been a bombshell but she was not a very nice person in many ways. Most of her co-stars and those who worked on the movie sets found she left a lot to be desired.

4. Tacos, pistachios, oysters, clams, eggs...your favorite food on the list that comes in/with a shell?

Tacos are the favorite from this little list. They are just so delicious.

5. Are birthdays a big deal in your house? Is your own birthday a big deal in some way? Elaborate.

No. Birthdays are not a big deal in my family at all. A s[ecial dinner and a cake maybe but mostly just a present given without much fanfare.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

My thoughts today are of two ladies who brought the nation class and quiet elegance. I admired both of these ladies.

Here is a photo of Jacqueline Kennedy (Jacqueline Lee Bouvier) who commissioned the Rose Garden back in more refined times.

Mrs. Kennedy also brought back all the original furnishings that had been sold off from the White House and decorated it with ultimate taste and class because she understood what it meant to be "the people's house."

And my favorite first lady, Lady Bird Johnson (Claudia Alta Taylor Johnson) whom I so admired.

What a great lady she was. She championed beauty and environmental stewardship.

"And the Almighty took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it." Genesis 2:15

The deeper meaning of the original language is to beautify, enhance, embellish, and improve the raw product, along with maintaining it and inhibiting its decay and degeneration.

Mrs. Johnson in the Rose Garden

Mrs. Johnson loved flowers and commissioned the huge state wide project of seeding Bluebells all along Texas highways and empty fields. Though she was a consummate lady, Lady Bird was a formidable woman and every bit a match for the tough Lyndon Johnson.

What Will You Do? Tuesday 4

2026-09-14T21:17:56.924-04:00

Hello friends, Autumn is fast approaching and I hope the weather is being as kind to you where you are as it is here by the Atlantic seashore. It's cool and sunny and lovely all in all.

So many things coming up with autumn.. the colors here in the northeast, the possibility of Sleepy Hollow for Halloween or maybe Salem in Massachusetts.

This morning...Tuesday.. it is 54°F and chilly. Autumn is truly here.

Welcome to Tuesday 4 continued in the memory of Toni Taddeo, its original author

Here are a few questions for you to consider.

1. What things do you enjoy doing when you have time on your hands?
I like to paint, play piano, watch documentaries, take classes, sit by the water and watch the tides, sit on my little back porch and watch the fish and the animals that come by for a drink.

My baked ziti

2. Last minute company coming tonight for dinner! What do you cook?
Probably baked penne or Ziti, salad, bread, wine and homemade pie or cake for dessert. It's quick to make and tastes very good too.

3. You've got a day to do anything and the weather is perfect outside, how are you going to spend the day?
At the beach/boardwalk or a trip to Smithville or some other one of NJ's many quaint villages for shopping and good food. Sometimes a trip to the Amish Farm markets is nice. Both Philly and NYC are not far so visiting the museums is always special.

4. It's morning and you are asked out for breakfast. What are you ordering?

French toast or pancakes, fried eggs, fried potatoes, cups of tea.

Devil in the Bottle?

2026-09-11T16:08:34.447-04:00

Hi friends,

For all my dear friends, I wish you a shanna tova u'metoka.. a good sweet new year and all the blessings you can possibly hold.

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here is today's questions!

Saturday 9: Devil in the Bottle (1974)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song begins with T. G. Sheppard taking off his shoes to slip into the house with disturbing his sleeping wife. Are you wearing shoes as you answer these questions?

I have one slipper on and one off.

2) His wife hears him anyway. Are you a light sleeper?

Sometimes. Sometimes I can sleep through anything and it depends on who is in the house really.

3) This is the first of 22 consecutive #1 hits for T. G. Sheppard. Not bad for a high school dropout. What's the last year of education that you completed?

I have 17years of education. Past high school I had 1 year at Ohio U, 3 at Rutgers and one year of technical education beyond that. I am currently taking more courses as well. You can never have too much education.

4) He was born William Browder and chose the stage name T. G. Sheppard just because he liked the sound of it. He says "T. G." doesn't stand for anything, and he gets a kick out of fans who insist there's some secret meaning behind the initials. Since most of us didn't choose our names: Is there a story behind your name? Did your parents tell you why they chose it? (If you did choose your name, share what influenced your decision.)

My mother wanted to name me Avigail. My father didn't like it so he filled out the papers before my mother could get near them.

5) It was after hours at a Memphis roller rink when he first met Elvis and his entourage. As T. G. was leaving, Elvis was entering and asked if he wanted to stay and skate longer. T. G. was confused because he knew the place was closing for the night. "Not for me," Elvis replied and T. G. skated with Elvis and his buddies until dawn. Are you good on roller skates?

No. I can't roller skate much at all but I am very good on ice skates.

6) T. G. loves NASCAR and was an associate sponsor of the Folgers Chevrolet. He enjoyed the collaboration with the coffee company and has performed the familiar jingle – "the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup" – in concert. Are you loyal to a particular coffee brand?

Lately yes. I am drinking Stumptown's Holler Mountain since it has no mold or additives. It is non acidy and simply healthier than so many of the brands out there that contrain mold, micotoxins and carcinogens.

7) T. G. understands the lifestyle of his fans. That's why he named his live country music venue Guitars and Cadillacs. If you were going to name a business after two of your favorite things, what would you call it?

Maybe an air spray named Salt Air and Cedar.

8) In 1974, when this week's song was on the country charts, Linda Ronstadt was getting a lot of radio airplay with "You're No Good." That song is about a real cad. Let's turn that around: Who is the nicest person you know?

My friend Katy is no slouch in that department. I have to also include the Little and the Famous as they are so very kind.

9) Random question: Have you ever had your palm read?

No and likely never will as it goes against my beliefs.

Football Hodgepodge

2026-09-08T23:00:00.000-04:00

Hi friends,

Evenings are cool again and it has been so lovely

to open the windows letting the fresh air into the house.

Here is this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge from This Side of the Pond.

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL? On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team?

I really don't bother with football at all, so should I say zero?

My mother was the big fan. She was a NY Giants fan. The Famous Anonymous is a Philly Eagles fan. Hearing a game in the background reminds me of my mother who was a sports nuts to be sure. Whether it was football, tennis, baseball, etc., she loved them all.

When my son was a toddler , winter football jackets were very popular and Sears sold them for all the teams. At 2 years old he was attracted to the Minnesota Vikings jacket in purple with gold leather sleeves. So, we got him that one. It was warm and cozy and there was a knitted cap to go with it.

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing?

My game plan is for the upcoming fall holydays. I will be getting the house ready and the food planned for all the days upcoming.

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party?

Chicken wings are good but I prefer other barbequed forms of chicken. Mildly hot is nice.

I've never done a tailgate or a game party but I know I would like the chicken, some spring rolls, chips, dip, hot dogs, French fries, pizza, Mexican things... all the messy finger foods are fine with me.

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

Play fair and square in all you do and realize it is always how you play the game.

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like.

I remember hearing the bombs in the basement of the building. Many of my friends were there on site working in various places and going to school in the area and they heard the big explosions below ground too. Later that morning we took a drive up the parkway and saw the area smoking like crazy.

I was in touch by phone and online with friends in the city from firt impact until late that night.

My mother had passed away in 97 and I recall thinking how she'd have been so sad since she and her girlfriends used to lunch at the Windows on the World quite often and knew many of the people who worked there. . She lived only 20 minutes outside Manhattan in the town in which I grew up.

A few people I knew died that day including one who was so proud to be a Port Authority cop.

Insert your own random thought here: Proverbs 24:6: "In a multitude of counselors there is safety"