Thursday Thirteen~ Thirteen Halloween Groaners

Being the mother of 4 I get to hear alot of these. THought i would share they are the groan with an eyeroll but still gets a smile.


1.What's the ratio of a pumpkin's circumference to its diameter?
Pumpkin Pi

2.What does a skeleton orders at a restaurant?
Spare ribs

3.What did the boy ghost say to the girl ghost?
You look boo-tiful tonight

4.What did the skeleton say while riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle?
I'm bone to be wild!

5.What kind of makeup do goblins wear?
mas-scare-a

6.What can't you give the headless horseman?
A headache

7.Why did the headless horseman go into business?
He wanted to get ahead in life.

8.Why do demons and ghouls hang out together?
Because demons are a ghouls best friend.

9.What do witches put on their hair?
Scare spray

10. Why did the cheerleaders move into a haunted house?
They heard it had spirit.

11. What do skeletons say before they begin dining?
Bone appetite!

12. How do you make a werewolf stew?
Keep him waiting for two hours.

13. What kind of mistakes do spooks make?
Boo boos




Happy Halloween!!


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Thursday Thirteen~ NJ Lighthouse Challenge

Last weekend was the NJ Lighthouse Challenge. The challenge is to visit all 11 lighthouse and two museums in a weekend. In case you didn’t know I love lighthouses. There is something about them. Guardians, symbols of hope, lights showing the way home, Comfort in a storm. And yeah, there is something romantic and mysterious about them. I read about the challenge in New Jersey Monthly Magazine and mentioned it to the hubby. “Lets Go” was his reply. Did I ever tell you I love the man! So we arranged for Grandpa to stay with Tom and Tim. And on a clear crisp fall Saturday morning Phil, Beanie and I headed off on our adventure. Conveniently, there were 13 stops,, Feel free to pass over my boring drivel of facts and just enjoy the pictures if you like… just pardon my amateur photography *g*



1. Sandy Hook NJ- This lighthouse was put into service on June 11,1764 and is the oldest lighthouse in the US that is still in service. Rising 103 feet into the air. In 1890 Fort Hancock was built around the lighthouse to protect the entrance of New York Harbor. Definitely a place we intend to make a daytrip to in the spring or summer.




2. Sea Girt, NJ - Lit on Dec. 10 1896 The Sea Girt Lighthouse would be the last live-in lighthouse built on the Atlantic Coast. This area of NJ was formally known a Wreck Pond. My favorite piece of info from here is…The first keeper assigned to Sea Girt was Major Wolfe, described as a “friendly soul.” This attribute served him well during the Civil War, when, as a Union officer, he would don a grey uniform, and with his best imitation of a southern drawl would go undercover amongst captured Confederate soldiers to learn of the enemies positions and battle plans.





3. Twin Lights, Highlands NJ-Twin Lights is situated 200 feet above sea level in Highlands, New Jersey. Twin Lights has been used as an aid to navigation over the coastal waters of NJ since 1828.The current lighthouse was built in 1862 and replaced the earlier lights which were beginning to deteriorate. It’s way up on a hill and we walked up a steep narrow road to get there but the walk was worth it. There was a flagpole dedication going on while we were there. Coast guard helicopter flybys and color guard procession were neat to watch.



4. Barnegat Light, NJ- In the mid 1600s, Dutch explorers named the inlet at the northern end of Long Beach Island “Barendegat,” which means “Inlet of Breakers.” Shoals, located offshore from the inlet, create the breakers and are a dangerous hazard for vessels passing. The first light house was lit on August 3 1835. It was lost to the sea and the new and still standing tower was lit in 1856 with a First-order Fresnel lens. Locals know it as Ol’ Barney. We spent many summers on Long Beach Island and crabbing at the Barnegat inlet.





5. Barnegat Museum- First-order fresnel lens. This is the orginal lense used to magnify the light within to shine out to the ocean. It was lost after a visit to the Chicago worlds fair and recently returned.



6. Tucker’s Island- I thought this lighthouse looked out of place. I then found out it is a replica of one that stood near the inlet that expanded and the island was lost, taking with it the lighthouse, coastguard station and schoolhouse. By 1952 the entire island was gone. In the 1980’s a group of Ocean County men decided they didn’t want to lose the Old bay way of life and they constructed Tuckerton Seaport to preserve the history the ocean took away.



7. Absecon, Atlantic City NJ Lit for the first time on January 15 1857, after many petitions to congress for a lighthouse by the cities founding father, Dr Jonathan Pitney. It still stands today in the midst of the Showboat casino’s.



8. Hereford Inlet, Lit May 11, 1874 it leads ships into the calmer waters between the mainland and Five Mile Barrier Island off its coast. Gothic style and beautiful gardens. We arrived near dusk and it was so beautiful.




9. Cape May NJ Felt like home *g* we arrived at sunset and stuck around for the night climb. Awesome view which didn’t turn out on my camera *pout* Cape May Lighthouse marks the southernmost point of NJ and the Northern side of the Delaware Bay. The lighthouse standing was the third one constructed It was lit October 31, 1859 Happy Halloween.



10. Cape May Museum- First-order Fresnel Lens- The illuminating apparatus for the Cape May Lighthouse was a first-order Fresnel lens supplied by Henry Lepaute. The lens had sixteen flash panels and revolved to produce a white flash every thirty seconds. It was given to the museum after a Rotating Aero beacon replaced it in 1964. The light bulb inside the lens was 750 watts prior to electricity the keeper had to carry 7 gallons of kerosene up the stairs daily and wash away the soot from the lens glass. It was not a glamorous profession. Here we spent the night at our family house and ate at the C-view Inn. It was Victorian Week and all the houses were lit and open for tours but we were exhausted and curled in to bed.



11. East Point NJ - We got to hang out here for a while as the tide came in access roads were flooded and we had to wait for the water to recede. But it was fun and the volunteers had yummies for sale. Located on the North side of the Delaware Bay at the mouth of the Maurice River. A very popular area for vessels in the oyster trade. It was lit Sept 10 1849.



12. Finn’s Point-Finns Point is a range lighthouse. Erected to help vessels transition from the Delaware Bay into the Delaware River. It was lit in April 2 1877 “94 feet 8 and one half inches high from base to the focal plane. 130 steps.




13. Tinicum Rear Range- Another light to guide ships down the Delaware River. Tinicum serves to guide ships upriver. It was lit Dec. 31 1880.

That was all our stops. We had a great time seeing them and they have my mind swirling with all kinds of inspiration. Now I am off to get ready for the NJRW conference which hopefully will get the creative juices flowing even more. It should JR Ward, Eloisa James, Sandra Hil,l Elizabeth Hoyt, and Pamelia Stratton are few I’ll get to hear speak. Everyone have a great weekend and
Thanks for stopping by~
Mo


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The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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A Review and a Beer

What a way to start a Monday!! *Big Grin* Four of Five star review for Winning Bess from JERR.

The most difficult thing about being an author for me is the idea someone can tell you they don’t like your work. It’s the most difficult thing in writing role play too. Waiting to hear it from friends is very hard, even harder when you don’t.

Some of you might not know this but I am slightly on the insecure side, and lacking in ego. *g* I really do put a piece of myself in everything I write. So, I find myself holding and releasing a lot of breaths.

First ones are when I send scenes to Melissa, my co-writer, and I wait to see if she liked it. When I get back an “it’s awesome” or “oooo you made him growl”, I exhale.

Then I hold it again when we send it off to our Critique partner, (((Mechele))), whose opinion I greatly admire. Her suggestions have never been off the mark and she usually catches my grammar mistakes * mantra Comma’s are our friends* She returns it and I exhale again.

Then I hold it again when we submit to our editor. And well, he makes me hold it a really long time. But I can exhale when the offer for a contract comes through, and when he pays me a compliment on the character and the insight I had on something during edits.

The last really long breath I hold is when it’s released. I’m waiting for that first review and to hear from people who read it. *g*

I am very happy with Winning Bess’ review…

“This 19th Century historical hit the spot with action, romance and plenty of hot loving. Colm is a little rough but has a lot of love. He’d do anything for Bess and his generous personality serves to leave the plot infused with bighearted kindness. He’s also a tad possessive, which made him seem very realistic, too. Bess is a hardworking and loving woman who is put in a difficult situation. She works to keep her father healthy and her openhearted personality made me care about what happened to her. The relationship that develops between Bess and Colm was believable and very natural. The progression of the connection made sense, even as their relationship develops a chemistry that is more sexual. The sex scenes are hot yet still realistic, as they explore each other tenderly yet passionately. The plot builds upon itself, with no great shocks, but sexual plot lines subtly change the story, allowing for a build up of intensity in the storyline. Several secondary characters make a wayward impact on the plot, causing a little uncertainty for our Irish lovers. Overall, Winning Bess hit the spot for me. I recommend it.”~ Francesca Hayne

So I exhaled (until the next review comes in. *g*)

And then I read…
Strengthen your Bones with a glass of beer *blink* *big grin* this report came from Montifiore Medical Center and Albert Einstein *dreamy sigh* College of Medicine In NYC. They reviewed 13 studies comparing alcohol consumption and bone strength and found that consuming one full serving a day pumps up bone density!! (Hmm maybe that’s why some Irishmen are thick sculled? ) and reduces the risk of hip fractures by 20%! They say it’s because a Moderate *pout* amount of alcohol regulates calcium and raises estrogen levels which are needed to strengthen bones!

And another study said alcohol improves blood flow, nourishing delicate cells in the inner ear. Drinkers of at least one beer a week are less likely to suffer age related hearing loss. I knew the hubby’s “I didn’t hear you.” was selective!!!

In case your wondering 12oz of beer, 5oz of wine, 1.5 oz of the harder spirits equal one full serving. Separately, not all together. dagnabbit!

I tell ya I am grinning! A great review and another reason to love beer, who couldn’t ask for a better way to start me week!
Slainte and thanks for stopping by,
Mo

13 favorite Einstein quotes

I must confess I have a crush on Albert Einstien lol don't tell my husband. He was smart, not just book-smart but a wisdom that was, and to me still is, amazing. When I am upset about something reading through some of his quotes always helps me get a better perspective. And to top it off he is funny! Who could ask more from a man? Below are a few of my favorite quotes from him. I had a difficult time narrowing it down to the thirteen. I think they are a good group that shows all sides *g*

1."A human being is a part of a whole, called by us _universe_, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

2."Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

3."Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe."

4."Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school."

5."If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

6."Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one."

7. "A person starts to live when he can live outside himself."

8. "The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed."

9. A person who never made a mistake, never tried anything new.

10. Any man who can drive safely while kissing a pretty girl is simply not giving the kiss the attention it deserves.

11. As far as I'm concerned, I prefer silent vice to ostentatious virtue.

12. I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.

13. If the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts.

And two bonus quotes.
There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle.

When you are courting a nice girl an hour seems like a second. When you sit on a red-hot cinder a second seems like an hour. That's relativity.

Thanks for stopping by~
Mo


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others' comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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expanding my universe

This is my first personal blog on blogspot. Before this I blogged on yahoo360. But my circle of friends has grown beyond those on yahoo and I want to be able to share my nonlinear ramblings with more of you. So Now I will post here and also still as Mari on my co-author blog Marissa’s Scheduled Procrastination.

If you would like to view old blogs about me and things I found interesting or amusing and still do *g* you can scroll through
my yahoo360

Thanks for stopping by
Mo