28 Days of Writing Challenge: Gouda

Today begins a 28-day writing challenge which is the brain-child of Nicky and Mike at We Work For Cheese. It's no surprise, given the name of their blog, that today's prompt is a cheese from the Netherlands....Gouda.

This is Gouda. The cheese is named for the town in the Netherlands, Gouda. Even though the locals pronounce it as "How-da", it's still known as Gouda around the world. Between the Gouda and Edam cheeses, the Netherlands produces 30 millions pounds of cheese per week...not a month, not a year, but a week.

The name, Gouda, is not protected. So, should you choose to make this delicious, cow's milk-based cheese, feel free to call it, Gouda, because the name, Gouda, is not protected and you will not suffer any repercussions from the town of Gouda or their Gouda cheese makers. 

The reasons for Gouda being formed into round wheels is 1) the aging process is better, 2) easy storage in sailing ships and 3) the Gouda wheel was used as cannon balls in the Caribbean. Yes, a few good Goudas were sacrificed for the good of the ship, her cargo and her crew. Good Gouda!

However, from the pic above, I believe a wheel of Gouda may have been used as spare wagon wheels. See how the wagons are lined for their Gouda wheel? 

This concludes my interesting facts for Gouda, the versatile cheese. For more about Gouda, click on over to We Work For Cheese where you will find links to others who have also accepted this writing challenge.

In the meantime....

See you tomorrow for Day 2 of the 28-Day writing Challenge!

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This! No. 46

I received my first Christmas card in the mail yesterday, but it was nothing like the family photo card which has been selected for this week's edition of Caption This!  It's obvious one of the family members is not too thrilled about posing with the family.....I wonder why?

Enter as often as you like and return here on Saturday when the winner of The Golden Phallus is announced. So, put on your thinking caps and get crack-a-lackin'. Good luck!

In case you were wondering, Dufus is currently globe trotting and won't be back until sometime after the first of the year.....Merry Christmas, Dufus, and Happy New Year!!!

Caption This! No. 45 - And The Winner Is.....

Good morning! We wake this morning to some kind of extreme weather in most parts of the country. Even here in the desert southwest I can honestly say, "baby, it's cold outside". But that's okay, I'm staying toasty warm in my snuggie and mukluks. I also have the added warmth of a big mug of dark chocolate and caramel cocoa topped off with whip cream...yummy. So as you make your way to the market for supplies, please be careful out there. Try to keep your "hey, watch this y'all" antics to a minimum. 

And, speaking of keeping warm.....our subject for this week's Caption This! has brought some great one-liners.  Thank you all for playing. I have a couple of folks I'd like to give the most-honorable mention.....

JBM said, "It's not easy being me", said Tommy, but I thank my lucky stars for all the loving support I get from little Suzy and bog-Mike-dog."

nonamedufus said, "New mom Bowzer was quite relieved to learn her partner Billy Bob was colour blind."

Now, this week's winner is no stranger her at Me-Me's Playhouse, he is a faithful player of Caption This! You may have seen his blog over the many years, if not, please stop by and visit Agent 54 today. I love his simple and to the point caption. Congratulations, Timothy Hechet, you are this week's recipient of The Golden Phallus!

"Modern Family"

Thanks again everyone for playing and I will see you next week for another edition of Caption This!

Moooooog: "Perhaps I've Said Too Much"

In case you have been standing in line for a great deal on a 32" LCD TV this past week, you may not have heard the latest in literary news --Rodney "moooooog" Lacroix's second book has been released!!! "Perhaps I Have Said Too Much" hit the Amazon charts this week with a bang, reaching spot #13 within hours of its release and the reviews are smashing!

For those of you unfamiliar with moooooog, let me introduce you --Rodney Lacroix is a comedian, father of two amazing kids, reluctant 40-hour-a-week software engineer and best-selling author. In 2013, Rodney was awarded an NGI Book Awards Medal for his memoir, "Things Go Wrong for Me." This coveted medal is currently on display around his neck because that's the kind of humble guy he is. Rodney firmly believes that fabricating grandiose tales about one's self makes a person far more impressive. And, that's exactly what he told Playgirl Magazine when they did a 4-page nude spread of him. On second thought --it's probably best you don't believe anything Rodney says.

"It's not a lie if you believe it."

Bionic fingers, self-combusting Tiffany lamps, rubber spiders and ventriloquist dolls. Rodney has lived his life trying to fool people. Some of this is on purpose and some of this just comes naturally. But no matter what the story he spins, there is always retribution --and it is very rarely a happy ending.

Join Rodney as he walks you through hysterical stories told through the eyes of a perpetual liar. Wince at his untruths, told in the same unconventional style that won him two awards for his 2012 release, "Things Go Wrong for Me." Feel his pain. Shake your head. Learn some lessons. As usual, all of the stories contained herein are true. Or are they?

Vladimir Putin believes mooooog, but you be the judge --here's how to get your own copy. Oh, and don't forget, this book is the perfect gift for those folks on your Christmas list who have everything.....or nothing at all.

Paperback: http://amzn.to/1aWcJsM

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1c8rOsh

Autographed copy: http://www.rcgpublishing.com/?op=order

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This No. 45

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the ugly holiday sweaters are being brought out from the moth balls to adorn those brave enough to wear them. Look, they work hard for the ugly. So, let's get in the spirit of things and Caption This!

The winner will take home the coveted Golden Phallus --so enter as often as you like. Check back here on Saturday for the announcement --I swear on my ugly sweater I will post it on time. Double your captioning fun by stopping by Dufus' place for a chance to win his contest --Pause, Ponder and Pun!

Caption This! No. 44 - And The Winner Is.....

Yeah, I know, I'm late with the results.

But,

I have a whole list of excuses though.

  1. Cleaning
  2. More Cleaning
  3. Cooking
  4. Cleaning
  5. Family arrived
  6. Cooking
  7. Eating
  8. Cleaning
  9. Sleeping
10. Cooking
11. Eating
12. Cleaning
13. Shopping
14. Napping
15. Cooking
16. Cleaning
Repeat 9-16

I do apologize for the delay, as you can see, I was mighty busy during the Thanksgiving holiday. The food was delicious, the company was delightful and the weather was perfect.  All-in-all, we had a marvelous time.

Bonus - I even managed to win the caption contest over at Dufus' place. What a trip! Now, I be hangin' with the best of the best.

I do appreciate all who participated this week. If you were half as busy as I was, you definitely deserve props for showing up and playing. Now, who won? There were a couple of really good captions worthy of a most-honorable mention......

JBM said, "Ronnie was an eccentric loner which was unfortunate for Misery, his cat."

Shawn over at Stubborn Fool said, "Despite photo evidence, many felt the first moon landing was a hoax."

The winner this week could not be beat even if you took a stick to his caption. Plus, only a Canadian would be able to think on this level...with or without a tin foil hat. Toronto's mayor, Rob Ford, has been the butt of many a joke recently and now has made it to the pages of The Screaming Me-Me!!! 

Congratulations, Dufus, you take home the coveted trophy!

"In one of his frequent drunken stupors, Toronto mayor Rob Ford slips tin foil 

hats on himself and his pussy prior to sitting down to eat one of many cat dinners."

Thanks again for playing and I'll see you tomorrow with another edition of Caption This!

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This! No. 44

Tin foil hats? What can this mean?

Enter your caption(s) below and tune in Saturday when the winner of The Golden Phallus is announced. 

In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Double your captioning fun, be sure to check out what Dufus has put up today, !

Old Folks Boogie

What in the hell has happened to me? When did the simplest of tasks become so arduous? When did preparing for house guests become such a nightmare? I admit my age and have always felt that I was accomplishing more than my mother did at this age, but what the bloody hell? It's like I woke up this morning and I had aged at least 10 years over night. 

Now, who moved the bathroom? I counted my shuffles, that was at least 20 too many. The good news is, I made it! And, thank goodness, I have a high-boy toilet or I may have wished I had Life Alert. Which, in light of my onset of elders, might not be a bad idea.

I have three days to get it together so I can welcome my guests with a smile and give the appearance that my preparations were done effortlessly. This weekend I completed two extensive shopping trips and one trip to the laundromat with all the bedding and rugs. Discovering my strength isn't what it used to be, I have decided I need a wagon or a forklift for future loading and unloading. At the grocery store the checkout guy asked me if I needed help out. I asked him if it would be possible if that person could come home with me to unload. He gave me one of those are-you-serious looks and that's when I assured him I would bring them back to the store right away. Well, I tried. 

I am running out of time. I need a shot of something or helping hands, whichever is the most effective. Or maybe, just maybe, I will remind myself Rome wasn't built in a day and pry my tired old butt from this chair.

Music...that's what I need! Something fast paced, something that will put  a little pep in my step to help me dance through all of this. Yep, I will put aside the old folks boogie for now and I will definitely rock this joint!

Caption This No. 43 - And the Winner Is.....

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for this important weather update...it's raining! Nearly three inches of rain will be possible in some Valley locations through the weekend. Since Thursday night, Phoenix has received just under two inches of rain and more is expected today and tomorrow. Experts are reporting this is the most rainfall the Valley has received at one time in 10 years. Get the boat!

Now, on with the show.....

Thank you all for playing Caption This! I would like to acknowledge a couple of most-honorable mentions for their most-excellent entries.....

Junknista got her motor runnin' with this caption - "Michael loved choppers so much he decided to pay homage to them by growing handlebars on his face."

Shawn had this to say - "At first Doug didn't like his mustache, but after awhile it kind of grew on him."

This week's winner is long-time blogger Angel from Ramblings of a Southern Angel. Congratulations, Angel, your entry has earned you The Golden Phallus!

"Baby since you like the gorilla bars on the bike so much 

I grew a set for you to hang onto...on the bike and you know 

any other time you feel like I need steering guidance."

Thanks again for playing and I hope to see you all again on Wednesday for another edition of Caption This! In the meantime, I'm rollin' up my pant legs and heading to the store for supplies. Ciao!

Throwback Thursday: Off The Top Of My Head

Originally posted 11/10/2009

It's happened to everyone of us, to men and women alike. An injustice we probably have experienced more than once in our lives. It's regrettable. It's embarrassing. It makes you want to hide, lie to your friends and even take a sick day.

What is this injustice?

The bad haircut!

We make the appointment or walk-in on a whim. We take a seat in a chair similar to the chair at the dentist's office. We are at the mercy of a man or woman with a pair of scissors. They spin you around to where you cannot see. Snip, snip here - snip, snip there. You watch what was to be "only a trim" fall onto the floor. You wait with nervous anticipation.

You are at the hands of someone that may be having a bad day. Or they could have some weird perception of what really looks good on top of your head. You cringe as they gasp under their breath. More hair seems to fall onto the floor than you had expressed in an attempt to cover up the mistake. You begin to rationalize.

They begin to style your new cut. Loads of different products are applied which smell great individually, but now your hair smells like a rotting fruit salad. They comb, blow-dry, brush, and curl. They get front and center, the last lock is in place. Finally, the finishing spray.

Just before they spin you around, you're aware of other stylists and patrons trying not to notice. Your heart starts to beat faster, your breath is short. It's like coming up on a car accident. You know you shouldn't look, but this time - it's you. Then you hear those words, "So how do you like it?"

Your eyes widen, you squirm in your seat. You even lean forward to take a closer look. You look at yourself at different angles. The mirror is held for you to take a look at the back of your head. As you try to compose yourself, you smile nervously, then you answer, "It's okay, it's fine". But, what you are really thinking is, "Shit!, I look like Kate Gosselin".

The plastic cape, that holds what used to be your hair, is removed. Your reach for your wallet remembering that their scissors are still within reach. Your hand over their fee plus you even give them a tip. You walk quickly to your car and stare at yourself in the rear view mirror. You sigh, choke back the tears and try to calm yourself by thinking, "It'll grow back, it's only hair."

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This! No. 44

Behold The Golden Phallus.....

This beauty can be yours if you can Caption This! with the most clever caption of all.  Don't be shy, enter as often as you'd like.

Please check back here on Saturday when the winner is announced.

1.....2.....3.....Go! 

Thanks for playing! Now click on over to Dufus' place for another chance to win!

Thanksgiving & All That Jazz

Thanksgiving is just 12 days away! I am really looking forward to my son and his family visiting me during that time. It's been a long time since I have hosted a holiday feast in my home and my emotions are running from one end of the spectrum to the other. I am extremely excited to have my family here one minute and the next minute I'm having anxiety over preparing the meal.

One thing is for sure.....music. I love to cook (and clean) to music. My foot starts tappin', my fingers are snappin' and I'm chop, chop, choppin' to the beat. Next thing I know, everything is plated and it's time to sit down and eat.

While looking for some Thanksgiving music suggestions today, I ran across this handy playlist on Pinterest. Not only does it have a section for while in the kitchen, it also has a section for at the table. Cool!

Although this playlist has a wide variety of selections, there are two songs in particular that didn't make the list that are absolute Thanksgiving favorites of mine --Adam Sandler's Thanksgiving Song and Arlo Guthrie's Alice's Restaurant which I have posted below.  

What are you favorite music selections for Thanksgiving? I'd love to get your input for my official playlist. In the meantime, I'll just keep calm and sing along!

Caption This! No. 43 - And The Winner Is.....

Hello everyone and welcome back to Me-Me's Playhouse and thank you all for playing Caption This! This week's photo was an awkward family of sisters posing with their favorite things. The family pets, I get that, but the ventriloquist doll....weird. 

There are a few standout captions I'd like to give a most-honorable mention.....

Agent 45, Timothy Hecht, was stylin' with his caption. - "Dad always had the best hair of everyone in the whole family."

Shawn - "Perhaps they were all in denial, but no one wanted to admit what the all knew to be true. Woody was adopted."

Reforming Geek certainly has an eye for photography - "Ok, everyone, big smiles and don't blink.! Ok, Victor, very funny."

Caption master, Dufus, took this photo to a whole nother level - "You'd be bug-eyed too if someone was always sticking their hand up your ass."

The winner this week is a long-time blogger, author and frequent player here in the playhouse...Mike over at The Wizardry of Otin. If you have never visited The Wizard, please stop by his place and say, "howdy". Congratulations, Mike, you take home the coveted Golden Phallus!

"Pinocchio stars in his first porn film -- Big Hair Gives Me Wood" 

Thanks again for playing and I hope to see you all here again next week! Have a great weekend everyone! Peace out.

Family Feud: The Voice

It's official, my sister has lost her ever lovin', pea pickin' mind! Yes, I said pea pickin', it's a Southern endearment. Usually, when our loved ones reach this level of crazy is when we give them a cocktail and parade them out onto the front porch for all to see. This is exactly where you will find my sister today, kickin' it on the porch sippin' her mint julep. 

Shortly after this past Tuesday's elimination show of The Voice, my sister, Joy, sent me a text about the show.

Joy: You watch The Voice?

Me: Yes, not tonight though, who was sent home?

Joy:  Josh and Johnny! I was pulling for Josh....even signed up with Twitter so I could send in a "save" vote. I'm sad....so now I will pull for Will.

Bless her heart, she even got herself a Twitter account to save her guy.

Me:  Oh, good, my pick is still in the running!

Me:  I want the Jamaican chick to win.

Joy:  What does she look like?

Me:  Tall, Asian-looking, short hair, Adam's team.

Joy:  She was eliminated last time.

Me:  No, she sang last night. She's a back up singer for Jimmy Cliff.

Joy:  Light or dark complexion?

Me:  She is from Jamaica, is tall, short hair, has the best voice on the whole show. She has a light complexion, an Asian mix. Dresses very nice. Adam's team.

Joy:  I'm confused
Lawdy, I'll say.

Joy:  Ok...yeah, I know the one....thick with lighter skin...the only girl left on his team.
Finally!

Me:  Right, she is a professional singer.

Joy:  Ok....I don't like her. You need to pick someone else.
Wait, what? You want me to do what?

Me:  Nope! My pick is gonna win!!! Not Will the wuss.

Joy:  He is precious and plays instruments! Your woman is unattractive...pick another.
*rolls eyes*

Me:  Wow, I didn't realize you are so superficial.

Joy:  Her face and big legs will not sell albums. The young cute blonde with the different sweet voice will be the one to win.

Me:  Tell that to Aretha Franklin.

Joy:  Motown had only a few to choose from back then.
What are you saying, are you crazy?

Me:  Shut the fuck up!

Joy:  It's a tough market out there now a days.
Now, she's a record promoter, egads.

Me:  Competing with GaGa, Katie Perry and Miley....yeah, real tough.

Joy:  Bwahahahahahaha! U shut the fuck up, chicken butt!

At that point, I had had enough texting back in forth for one night, so we signed off. Whew!

Now, all I am asking you to do is to just take a quick listen to Joy's pick, Will Champlin and then to mine, Tessanne Chin.  You decide, are you Team Joy or Team Me-Me?

Thank you for your cooperation!

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This! No. 43

Welcome to the Playhouse.....

It's time for Caption This! Enter your caption(s) in the comments below. The winner will be announced on Saturday and will receive The Golden Phallus.

When you are done here, please head on over to Dufus' place for a chance to win Hangin' with Dufus.

Pinterest: Paradise or Hell?

During my sabbatical, I discovered many new things on the internet to occupy my time. Things which didn't take much of a commitment, things that did require gifting, helping or acquiring elements in order to conquer a challenge and things which required little or no social interaction so I could continue to perfect my life as a hermit. One of those things led me to electronic hoarding. Yes, I discovered the wonderful world of Pinterest and, now, I am a pinaholic! 

What a magical place. It's quite beautiful there and very peaceful. Pinterest takes you to faraway lands where you can experience their colorful cultures and breathtaking landscapes. I have many many homes which are perfectly decorated and full of art by the masters. Then there is the garage which holds the most expensive cars, the fastest motorcycles and every kind of boat imaginable. Not to mention my closet rivals no one, every piece is custom selected for me. Yes, life is fabulous in the land of Pinterest.

To be honest, it's not really all sunshine, rose gardens and gingham curtains. Like the recipes that will never see the light of my kitchen and DIY and craft projects that will never get past a materials list. There have been many of these recipes and projects attempted by other pinners which have ended in a big fat FAIL. Here's a sample of those who have ventured where I dare not go....Pinterest Hell!

To see more of these failed attempts go to Craft Fail!

Since returning to blogging, I have created a Pinterest Board called Blog About to promote my blog as well as others.  Please leave a link to your latest post in the comments today and I will pin it for my 6200+ followers to see and hopefully they will stop by for a visit.

By the way, to take a look at my Pinterest account or to follow me, just click the red P on the left sidebar. You, too, could become addicted!

Caption This No. 42 - And the Winner Is.....

So sorry for the delay in posting the winner of Caption This!, but I have been under the weather with a head and chest cold which has had me feeling pretty poorly. However, after a double-round of Nyquil and copious amounts of Ibuprofen, I am feeling much better.

Before we get to the winner, I must give credit to a couple of most-honorable mentions for their fine entries.

Indigo Roth may have found his match with his caption, "After several years of the single life, Roth finally lands a date with not just ONE beautiful woman, but TWINS! Things are looking up!"

Chelle Blogger also stopped by and left this caption, "Hugh Hefner is so old he doesn't even notice if his live-in girlfriends have penises anymore."

This week's winner is no stranger to captioning, in fact, he runs his own caption contest each week. So, be sure to stop by his place on Wednesday to play Pause, Ponder and Pun. Stand up and take a bow Dufus, you are this week's recipient of The Golden Phallus! Congratulations!

"Damn, Sam, you really should have called me this morning to tell me what you were

wearing to the Gay Pride Parade today. Now I'm so embarrassed, you silly you."

Thank you all for playing and I really hope to see you again on Wednesday for another edition of Caption This! Have a great week everyone!

Me-Me's Playhouse: Caption This! No. 42

Hey there, hi there, ho there

We're as happy as can be

Step right up

And try your luck

Caption This!

Pic for me

You many enter as often as you like. Check back on Saturday to learn who takes home The Golden Phallus.

Tell your friends, call the neighbors and alert the media...the more the merrier! 

Also, be sure to stop by Dufus' place today for another edition of Pause, Ponder & Pun.

Man's Best Friend - Oh, The Shame!

Years ago when dog apparel first became popular, I was surprised by the number of companies who offered online catalogs of all kinds of doggie ensembles for all kinds of occasions. And, of course, the pet specialty and big box stores also had racks and racks of clothing for any type and size dog. 

I really never considered buying clothing for my dog. Just wrestling my 135 pound Akita into a cammo hoodie or an evening jacket complete with bow tie would have probably qualified us as winners of American's Funniest Home Videos.

The thing that really got me the most was the indignant look on most of the models' faces...like the one pictured here in a Superman costume. Look at his face! He's sitting there so obedient and hating every minute of it. He doesn't care how many rewards he'll receive, he just wants out of that thing.


Honestly, I would laugh and laugh and laugh so much that perusing these websites became a favorite pastime. Yeah, doggie porn, I guess.  I found these pooches' attitudes in their designer outfits absolutely hilarious.

Don't get me wrong, I have seen many cute little dogs who were freshly groomed and dressed to the nines --they looked darling. But, truth be told, they'd rather be rolling around in the dirt trying to get out of that fru-fru outfit and pick up some odors that are far more disgusting. Let's face it, they are ashamed to be seen around the dog park looking like a model from Dogue.

Now, my attention has shifted somewhat. My latest fascination is with dog shaming. If you are a dog owner, you understand how dogs can be rather destructive. One day I came home and discovered my 6 month old Chi-mix had escaped from her puppy playpen and had made an igloo for herself in one of the arms of the sofa. I paused, called out her name, then she wiggle out with her tail wagging. What do you do? Well, all you can do is clean up the mess and throw a blanket over the hole with hopes no one will notice. And, you might consider getting an escape proof kennel.

I'm sure some of you have seen the website, Dog Shaming. Dog owners send photos of their best friends announcing to the world their pet's latest indiscretion usually by wearing a sign. Kind of like that kid who recently was forced to wear a sign into Walmart for all to see he was a liar. As a dog owner, I can totally relate to most of these circumstances and the frustrations and this may be an option for me in the future. So, without further ado, I have chosen a few of my favorites from the website to share with you today.

I broke 2 ceramic bowls, 1 ceramic plate.

I ate 1 fleece jacket, 1 raincoat, 1 Playstation controller, countless rolls of Charmin,

1 pair of headphones, 1 iPhone cover, tube of chapstick , 1 rug,  2 dog beds, 1 sneaker,

part of a laptop, 2 pairs of prescription eyeglasses, & 2 pairs reading glasses.

Plus, I left a log on the steps and my dad fell and broke his foot!

His buddy says, "I watched."

 I eat crayons and poop rainbows.

 Luki: I scared mommy thinking I would get lost & made her 

chase me through the woods while I chased the deer.

I am a deer chasing jerk.

Pepper: I was good and came when called!!

I tried to hump the vacuum and I broke it.

(I'm not sorry.)

I ate the couch.

I eat poop out of diapers.

I am disgusting.

If you get the chance, pop on over to Dog Shaming for more laughs.

Dona Nobis Pacem - Imagine

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace...

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us 

And the world will be as one.

John Lennon, 1940-1980