I’ve gotten used to digging some photos out of the archive on Mondays for Cee’s Fun Foto challenge, but Cee’s taking a break. That’s fine – we all need one now and then. She posted an update – check it out here.

We’ve had seven days of cold. Waking up to less than 16°f (-9°c) cold. We’ve had ice and snow and wind and snow and ice, and now it’s going to get warmer and rain for a week. I gotta tell you, I love winter but Cee was doing a series of color prompts, and I’m in the mood for some color.

Mood, is the JusJoJan prompt today. It was given to us by Dar from Darsworld. Click on over and check out her blog.

Now, about that title. When I was a little kid, my mother and father were both in groups of friends and family members who bowled and then went to a group member’s house to play cards. My father’s group bowled on Saturdays. When it was his turn to host the card game, my mother would clean like crazy. I’d watch some cartoons, but sooner or later, she’d stack a bunch of albums on the HiFi and hand me a dust rag. She liked musicals and big band music, so when I think about “mood” and “in the mood” I think about Glenn Miller. So, if you like, click on the audio link below and enjoy some music while scrolling through the gallery.

Just Jot January 10-year badge

I hope you all have a delightful week. I hope the harsh weather eases a bit and we can enjoy what we used to call the January Thaw.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

67 responses to “Housecleaning – JusJoJan”

  1. Nice to see photos like this during a cold, snowy month, Dan!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad you like them, Dave.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    Can’t think of a better time to see a post featuring colors since everything outside is white, gray or something in between! Housecleaning….how about the spring and fall cleanings! I had to help my mother get all our mattresses downstairs and out on the front porch to “air” in the sun. And that was the least of it! 🤗 My parents played bridge every Saturday night with cousins, always at our house.

    The flowers and park scenes look so inviting. Love the bunny in the bright green grass and the Bluejay and squirrel arguing over a peanut. That’s one beautiful sunset. We have all these sights to look forward to, and that’s a good thing!

    It’s 15*F here Dan. I’m waiting for the warm up!

    Ginger💞

    Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 7°f (-14°c) here, Ginger. I’m late for my walk, and I’m only going to get later.

      The big cleanings in our house was when the priest (Dad’s church) or pastor (Mom’s) were coming to bless the house. Whenever I see one of those “Bless this Mess” signs, I think of that. At least the card playing rotation only hit every 4-5 weeks. Her group bowed on Thursdays.

      All we can do today is look back and ahead to warm days with beautiful colors. I hope we don’t get too much warm weather and trick the plants into blooming early.

      Have a good week, Ginger. Stay warm and then stay dry.

      Like

  3. Beautiful photos, Blue Jay and squirrels fighting over peanuts who’d of thought it?
    Great memories of your Mum …. I can you all dancing around to this cleaning the house… It got me in the mood 💜💜😁

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Dancing to reminders to, “Lift things up off the tables, don’t just dust around them.” Still, they are fond memories.

      I hope you have a good week, Willow.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. My mother loved musicals and my dad loved big band. “In the Mood” was a big part of the soundtrack of my growing up years. So, of course I had to listen to it again!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember some songs from the musicals soundtracks better than some early rock and roll songs. I’ve listened to it again this morning.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. “I’m gonna wash that man right outa my hair . . . ” ♩♪♩♬ ♬♩♪♩

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Nice capture of the tree ice and the flag! You are so right about needing color; we too are going into a week of rain, so not much color will be had — unless, of course, people post color on their blogs! Thanks! As for mood music for cleaning, I enjoyed the image of the stack of records with the dust rag. My mom was a radio person. Her cleaning mood was rarely good for my mood!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Last week was bleak and cold. This one promises to be bleak and wet. I wonder what’s next? There was something almost festive about those Saturday mornings. I didn’t really enjoy dusting, but I still remember the music.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Great childhood memory, Dan. Of course “In the Mood” was perfect for the prompt. I’m with your mom and still have all my Rodgers and Hammerstein albums. Great photos!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Jennie. It was the perfect Jot for me.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re welcome, Dan. I can tell that it was!

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Thank you Dan you too 💜💜

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Um, palm trees, Dan? You don’t have those where you live, surely!
    I love all of your colorful pics too. We don’t have your winter here, but I see plenty of the white stuff in the reader, and that’s fine by me!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We do not have palm trees. Although, we did once. They were shooting a commercial at a nearby business in February one year. They brought in huge heaters to melt all the snow, and they brought in large potted palm trees for the shoot.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. It took a while but we’re finally seeing white. At least I don’t have to mow it…
    💕

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha – I’d much rather walk behind a snowblower than a lawn mower.

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Beautiful color photos Dan! I’m afraid I have so many albums that when they were lined upon shelves like books we just dusted the binders and moved on. Now they’re residing in a massive trunk in storage. When I think of the money spent on film and developing…
    When I hear the name Glenn Miller I always remember the movie with Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson. I loved that film. Then that reminds me of The Five Pennies with Danny Kaye. 🥺I’d better go play Robin Hood and Little John so I can laugh. Happy new week Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love it when I can bring a good memory to the surface. Just don’t share your temperature with us ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

  11. I know, that’s Roger Miller, but it makes me laugh. 🤣🤣🤣

    Liked by 1 person

  12. I love musicals too. That song by Glenn Miller band is a great one to do housework to as it moves. I like to play Kenny G to get me moving through the house cleaning.

    You picked some good images for a little color pop this Monday morning. It’s super windy here, but we’re in the high 30’s and mid 40’s for the day with rain on the way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this, Deborah. That’s our weather this week, too – warmer and rain.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Lovely photos for this time of year, Dan. We got a break from the teen temps and some much-needed rain today. I always love In the Mood. My trombone days make that love a requirement. Thanks again.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Did you play the trombone, John. That’s pretty cool. There’s a different video that features a colorized live version of that song. Now I’ll think of you when I see that.

      Glad you’re warming up and getting wet. We will be too.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes I did play. Loved Glenn Miller’s music. I just saw that colorized version this morning.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I found that mesmerizing.

          Liked by 1 person

  14. I love this song, but then I loved listening to my mother’s Big Band records. You picked a good one, Dan.
    My dad was in two different bowling leagues. He was president of one and secretary of the other. But my mom’s handwriting was beautiful so she was the real secretary. I remember watching her write down each bowler, their game scores, averages…every single week! Where were computers when you needed them!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I remember those days very well, Lois. I helped my dad figure out the pay for the pinboys once I was older – using a hand-crank adding machine! I think we sounds like we grew up in the stone age ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Just call me Wilma! 🤣😂

        Liked by 1 person

  15. The photo of the flag at Great River Park is wonderful, I’d not have realized that was a flag if you hadn’t said so.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When I snag photos from the past, I always like to find a flag. I’m glad you like that one.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. As I look out my writing office window at the wet grey sky, I like your pictures better!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad. We have bright blue skies today, but rain is moving in for the rest of the week 🙁

      Liked by 1 person

  17. Nothing like having people over to incite one to clean house!
    Lovely colourful photos, Dan.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Especially the women’s group. I don’t think the men would have cared if I hadn’t dusted well. I’m glad you like the photos.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Haha! I know I’m not persnickety about a little dust ;-)

        Liked by 1 person

  18. Color is a bit hard to come by around here…with the notable exception of white, of course. Our snow is now frozen, but as you noted, this ice will soon become water. If nothing else, we’re gonna make up any previously deficit in the water table this week.💧

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I hope the ground isn’t frozen, and is ready to absorb. We’ve had flooding around here. Nothing close to us, but in surrounding towns. Here’s hoping we both get through this week unscathed.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Thanks for all the wonderful colors, Dan. I appreciate very much that my area is getting much needed showers, but the gray sky… Well, I needed these colors. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re welcome, Teagan. A person can only take so much gray.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Love that Glen Miller era. And you know, some habits die hard. I still clean like crazy if I think someone’s coming to ours. Have a great week, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Those habits are hard to break. This music still gets me moving. Have a good week, too, Jo.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Bowling was huge in Reno Nevada – my parents didn’t bowl but I went every week with a church group and then we had pizza afterward! Great memories.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was in a youth league as well as both parents being in their groups. It was fun. I loved it when we hosted the card games, especially the men. That was on Saturday, so I could stay up for a while.

      Like

  22. Great post…great pics…thanks for sharing! We are having day after day of rain, but can’t complain…its not freezing….just chilly!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Kirt. We’re heading into a week of chilly rain and maybe some “wintry mix” but at least we’re out of the freezer section.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. We are having a very moody, rainy day here. I love it! The yellow trolly (?) reminded me of the yellow trollies in Lisbon. They were so much fun to see and hear – toot, toot!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Your mother was wise–music makes cleaning less onerous every time! And thanks for the splashes of color. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. At least she didn’t like opera ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Not cleaning music at all.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. No. More like sit and let the dust accumulate around me music.

          Liked by 1 person

  25. Music is the best accompaniment for any kind of cleaning! I love these photos. You aced the color challenge!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. I’ve got some cleaning to do, I think I’ll try adding some music to the mix.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. Good January color Dan. All of them. I wonder what room I wandered into yesterday and how long I stood there wonder and wandering ? Happy Tuesday

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We have to look pretty hard to find color at this time of year.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. The most colorful thing outside here is the moss. It’s rocky ground (as I know to my sorrow), so there’s a lot of moss where the sun can get to it. We’re having a dreary little rain at the moment, so no blue skies smiling at me. I’m in the mood to lie on the couch and play Minecraft.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That sounds like a safe alternative.

      Like

  28. We’ve had the same weather here in SE Michigan Dan. I have not walked since January 12th and I am sure the squirrels and birds at the park where I walk daily think I have abandoned them. They never plow there, so I decided not to take a chance. I think that ice will melt here with warmer temps and two days of rain. I hope so anyway. I miss my routine.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I tossed the squirrel in the photo a handful. I think he was expecting me to make up for missed deliveries.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Pacing back and forth paid off!!

        Like

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