A Squirrelly Post

I've just learned that today is National Squirrel Day, so here are some things I want to share:

In the extremely funny, and also thought-provoking children's book, "Me And The Weirdos," by Jane Sutton, the main character's mother calls herself Squirrel.  I plan to re-read this book in the near future

When I was a little girl, I had this record by The Nutty Squirrels, which I played over and over. Drove my Mom crazy! (Or should I say "nutty?")

And I've always loved this poem, which was written by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and is in the public domain.

Fable

The mountain and the squirrel  

Had a quarrel;  

And the former called the latter ‘Little Prig.’

Bun replied,  

‘You are doubtless very big;         

But all sorts of things and weather  

Must be taken in together,  

To make up a year  

And a sphere.  

And I think it no disgrace  

To occupy my place.  

If I'm not so large as you,  

You are not so small as I,  

And not half so spry.  

I'll not deny you make  

A very pretty squirrel track;  

Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;  

If I cannot carry forests on my back,  

Neither can you crack a nut.’

  

A Post I'd Like To Share

I can't resist sharing this post from a popular blogger who goes by the name
Fandango.
I highly recommend his blog.

Soup Label From 1900

 Originally posted in 2018 on one of my old blogs. Updates are in italics.

I read an interesting label online the other day, and re-read today, a Campbell’s Tomato Soup label from 1900. It has some significant differences from their current label, and I learned some things I didn’t know before.

In those days, the company was known as The Joseph Campbell Preserve Co. Some of the varieties of soup they made then have been discontinued, such as Mock Turtle and the two listed below, neither of which I had heard of until I read the label.

Mulligatawny Soup, which is of East Indian origin. [The name may be translated as pepper water!] There doesn’t seem to be one set recipe for this soup, but apparently curry is a standard ingredient.

Printanier Soup, a soup made with spring vegetables.

There are other soups which Campbell’s has stopped making, but Tomato Soup is still going strong more than a hundred years after they introduced it.

I really enjoyed reading this label; it’s always fun learning new things.

Quiet Times, Noisy Times

https://wordofthedaychallenge.wordpress.com/2024/05/22/volume/

There are times and places when it is best, and considerate, to be silent.
In a sickroom.
At the library.
When someone else is speaking.
At the movies.
While playing Charades.
At certain musical events

Then again, there are times when noise is more fitting.
At a rock concert.
While attending a game, or watching it on TV.
(You should hear me when I'm watching the
Brooklyn Nets!)
When singing with family and/or friends.
At an amusement park.
While playing certain outdoor games.

In other words, there are times for "indoor voices"
and times for "outdoor voices", times to keep the
music low, and times to pump up the volume!

Prompt Of The Day/Nostalgia

Every day, I will post a prompt, usually one word, but sometimes a phrase or a sentence.

Today’s prompt is nostalgia.

Write a post, any kind, any length, using this prompt, and then put a link in the comments.

All I ask is that you keep it family friendly.

And check out what other bloggers have written!

Have You Ever Eaten The Bark Of A Tree?

This was originally posted in 2018 on one of my old blogs.

Did you shake your head when you read the above question? After all, who’d want to eat the bark of a tree? Think of the splinters, and, probably, the insects! Eat the bark of a tree? YECH! I’d have to wash it very thoroughly before I’d even consider putting it into my mouth.

That, at least, would have been my reaction until I learned that cinnamon, which I love, comes from the inner bark of several trees from the genus Cinnamomum. Cinnamomum Verum is the type that is considered to be true cinnamon. This, however, is not the kind that is usually sold. That honor, if I may call it an honor, goes primarily to several related species which are called Cassia to distinguish them from true cinnamon.

So yes, I have eaten the bark of a tree, and quite often at that! Still, tree-bark toast does not sound very appealing or appetizing.

I’m just saying. 

Prompt Of The Day/Prompt

Every day, I will post a prompt, usually one word, but sometimes a phrase or a sentence.

Today’s prompt is prompt.

Write a post, any kind, any length, using this prompt, and then put a link in the comments.

All I ask is that you keep it family friendly.

And check out what other bloggers have written!

Three Songs

https://thedailyspur.wordpress.com/2026/01/20/proud/

I just recently started this blog, and I hope to make it one
I  can be proud of.
But I also plan to have fun with it.

Like, for example, posting songs.

The Proud One

Ain't To Proud To Beg

Proud Mary

And I Thought I Was A Reader!

I’ve always thought of myself as a reader, and a voracious, insatiable reader at that. But I have to admit that Storm Novelo, a character in Dandi Daley Mackall’s “Blog On” series, out-reads me by a gazillion-bazillion-mazillion!

I read books, magazines, online articles, and things of that sort. Storm reads all these things as well, but she also reads, to quote from “storm rising”:

“encyclopedias, hospital brochures, bulletin boards, medical sites on the Internet…cereal boxes, car instruction manuals, labels on household cleaning products, and the fine print on everything.”

Inspired by Storm, I started doing that when I had the blog where this post was originally published … reading things like boxes, packages, and labels, and I’ve decided to start reading them again. I haven’t done so lately.

And once in a while, I will review a box, a package, or a label, or reprint a review from the old blog.
So don’t be surprised if you see a post with the words, “I read a great label today!”

I Love Music, All Kinds Of Music

This is adapted from a post I wrote in 2008 on one of my old blogs.

One thing I've always disliked about record clubs (or whatever they're called now)is that they require you to join in a specific category.Well, I'd rather not have my musical tastes pigeon-holed. In one day, I can listen to many different kinds of music.
So what are some of my favorite musical genres? Note, I said SOME; I'm sure I won't be able to list them all.
I love rock oldies, classical music, Klezmer, Motown, jazz, country,hymns, show tunes,novelty piano (e.g. "Kitten On The Keys"), big band music, folk songs, nursery tunes (note: John Lennon loved "Three Blind Mice," but my favorites in this category are "Oranges and Lemons," and "Boys And Girls, Come Out To Play.")
Actually, I don't concern myself too much with genres and categories. I just enjoy listening to a variety of music, and that's that.

A Long-Forgotten Song

https://mymindmappings.com/2026/01/19/fowc-with-fandango-serpentine/

I remember watching Sesame Street with my niece when she was a 

little girl, and I'm sure I'm not the only adult who also watched it by myself. Well, Fandango's prompt reminded me of this song, which I somehow hadn't thought about in years!  

A New Blog From An Old Blogger

I've been blogging for many years, and writing for much longer.
So why start yet another blog?
Because change is good.
Because I like starting new things.
So will this blog contain material from my older blogs?
Definitely.
Will it have new posts?
Of course!
Will there be links to other people's posts?
Absolutely.
You never can tell WHAT will show up here!
(See? I DO know how to spell it!)
So why the different spelling?
Just for fun.