Picture Monday For February 25, 2008

My sister, Michal Ann, was a majorette when she was in junior high. She attended University Junior High. Their mascot was the Indians.

I remember her practicing all the time at the house. In the picture, below left, she is practicing twirling with Sandra Cranfill (left) and Lana Morris (center). Michal is of course on the right. The other picture shows Michal preparing to march in a parade. These three pictures were all taken in the early 1960's. Michal played the flute in the band. She also twirled in high school and then was cheerleader in college.

The picture above is Michal and my brother Lance. It was taken in the spring of 1957.

"Isn't she a doll?"

© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The Garden-Latest Pictures Are In

Here are the latest pictures from the garden. The top two are gazanias. They are beautiful during the day. They close up shop in the evening and go to bed on ly to open again in the sunlight.

The narcissus are beginning to look great. The snapdragons are in place now, as are the bluebonnets and grape hyacinth.

© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

FREE, FREE, FREE-2nd Installment

I don't know how many of you spend much time on the internet. I have found a lot of useful things in my time. I have signed up, joined up, and who knows what else.

Many years ago I found a couple of places on the web that let you answer surveys in return for receiving points that could be redeemed for merchandise and sometimes cash. They were Bonus Mail and My Points. A couple of years ago both of these sites merged and they're now called My Points Bonus Mail. Original! Anyway, Chris and I both have an account. In return for giving them a little of my information I get e-mails to read. I get points for each e-mail. If I take advantage of the offer in the e-mail I get even more points. It's not that bad. Since I have signed up we have received about a total of $200 in gas cards from Shell, Exxon, and BP; $150 in gift cards from JC Penney; and $200 in gift cards from Circuit City. The cards from Circuit City helped me get my HDTV last fall. Not Bad! If you shop and purchase from certain retailers on-line you also get points. Check them out here: MyPoints.

In an earlier blog I mentioned the many magazine subscriptions I get. I get them from FreeBizMag and from AdPerk. I have had several new magazines come in now.

If you are looking for free stuff, samples, and such; I go to Weekly Freebie. I subscribe to their e-mail and get the notice weekly. But you need to check them every Th ursday because they post a couple of other offers on the B-Side. You can also check out The Bargainer.

There are also a couple of survey sites that I belong to. In return for participating in surveys I receive money, gifts, and points redeemable for merchandise. I complete surveys for e-Rewards, MySurvey, and Synovate-Global Opinions Panel. It's pretty good. there have been times where we were involved in studies testing various products for manufacturers. We have tested cat food, dog food, shampoos, laundry detergent, deodorants, and many other items.
If you go to the Wal-Mart and Sam's Club site you can find samples. At Wal-Mart you have go to the In Stores Now tab and click on FREE Samples. At Sam's Club you have to click on the In Clubs Now tab and then look for any free samples. More free samples can be found at Start Sampling. You have to join that site to participate though.

Do you get Frequent Flyer Miles on your credit cards or from taking trips? Do you get enough to take more trips. If not try Points.com. I had several thousand AA points just laying around collecting dust. I used this site to trade them in for something useful; although, I can't remember what it was now.

These are just a few of the places on the internet that give samples, points, cash etc. I use them and have been very pleased with them. You may know of others. If so, share them.

PS--Want to make a little extra money? Write a blog like I do. I am sure that you have noticed the ads on my blog. By placing the ads on the blog the author receives payment for each ad that is clicked. The payment varies based on the ad, daily traffic to the blog, etc. I certainly will not be able to quit my day job, but it is fun. Oh, and don't forget the Blue Sunflower Collection. The stuff is not free, but it is fun to look.
© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The Blue Sunflower

The Blue Sunflower Collection is open. I just opened an on-line store through the Cafepress storefront website. I currently offer many household type items which include mugs, note cards, magnets, buttons, pictures, etc. All of the items are embellished with various pictures that I have taken over the years. Most pictures are of flowers, but there is a lighthouse and the Air Force Academy Cathedral on a few. I think the items are pretty cool. I invite you to visit my store by clicking on The Blue Sunflower to the left or you can click on the link in the sidebar on the left hand side of the blog. It is a little below Kitten. We are still trying to keep him off the streets so please visit and purchase if you see something you like. And if you don't see anything to buy I hope you just enjoy looking at the pictures I used. Thanks again and have a blessed day.


© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Tom Swift or More Fun With Words

The Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1st edition, 1966) defines a Tom Swifty as ... a play on words that follows an unvarying pattern and relies for its humor on a punning relationship between the way an adverb describes a speaker and at the same time refers significantly to the import of the speaker’s statement, as in “I know who turned off the lights,” Tom hinted darkly. Named after a narrative mannerism characteristic of the Tom Swift American series of adventure novels for boys.

Below are a few of my favorites:
“This is just like a fairy tale,” Tom said grimly.
“I only have diamonds, clubs and spades,” Tom said heartlessly.
“I voted against Clinton in his last election run,” Tom said dolefully.
“I need a drink,” Tom said drily.
“The prisoner escaped down a rope,” Tom said condescendingly.
“I think I broke my leg,” Tom said lamely.
"The situation is grave," Tom said cryptically.
"I don't like hot dogs," Tom said frankly.

And my favorite:

"That is remarkable," remarked Tom.


© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

A Few Random Thoughts For Your Consideration

Sometimes when you have a like a million things to do and not a lot of time to do them it can be difficult to find time to blog. Well, yesterday was one of those days. For that reason I am sharing an e-mail that I got yesterday that is a fun read. I hope you enjoy it. I know I did. I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.

Police were called to a day care where a 3-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He's all right now.
The roundest knight at King Arthur's round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools, they sometimes take debate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
Oh and a big THANKS to Mr. Middleton for sending this e-mail my way.
© 2008 Barry T Horst


This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.