Last fall, I bought a lamp from an office supply store. At the time, they had an offer to save 10% and get free shipping, if I signed up for their rewards program. Everyone has a rewards program these days. Most of them don’t offer much in the way of rewards unless you send an awful lot of money. I’m never going to spend that much at this place, but saving 10% on the lamp, and the free shipping was a nice discount.

In late January, I bought something else from this store. Being a member of the rewards program got me free shipping again–not super fast shipping, but free. As we slipped into February, I received the following email:

Screen shot rewards

At the rate these rewards are piling up, I better start thinking about how I’m going to spend them.

For One-Liner Wednesday

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

110 responses to “Rewarding Encounter – 1LinerWeds”

  1. Thank you, Dan, for the great photos. The sunset is wonderful. I like the aura effect. The critters look great. The squirrel on the deck is so cute…!

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Those cute poses keeps us tossing peanuts, Suzette. We just can’t resist.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. The sun looks wonderful. I think the second leaf shadow looks like a pelican. Your line is funny, something my dad would say.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I thought pelican too!

      Liked by 3 people

    2. Pelican. That’s a good suggestion. I don’t have the chance to see them except in other people’s photos, but I see it now.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Ah, well! You’re no worse off than when you started, Dan. Keep earning those rewards! Love the sunsets.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks Jo. I did save on the shipping and the original purchase.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Lovely pictures. I love the way those leaves turn into shadow figures. I see a monkey in what you see a dog. The other picture looks like an Asian open-billed stork to me.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Monkey could be a good candidate, Sharukh. I don’t see monkeys around here. Others have guessed pelican for the bird, but your stork probably fits the bill – pun intended, I couldn’t resist.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. India has lots of monkeys. Many jump around trees and buildings, and many walk amongst us. BTW, I am born in the year of Monkey as per the Chinese calendar. In fact, I had a very scary incident on my honeymoon trip when a monkey snatched a bowl of fresh strawberries out of my hand. He was super aggressive. He was like give it to me or I’m gonna nibble your fingers like fish chips. Yeah, I see what you did with the Asian Open-billed Stork thing there. :) Nice one.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I think that would scare me. It would at least make me give up the strawberries.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. That’s exactly what I did. I handed over the packet and he just grabbed it and climbed up the tree and relished those strawberries. The entire fact is that the fresh strawberry vendor was standing in the shade of the tree. That monkey was right above him. However, he probably knew that the vendor has a wooden staff to beat him which is why he never targets the vendor. The monkey waited patiently for me to buy and walk a little distance from the tree and then ambushed me.

            Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m quite sure word spreads quickly through the local squirrel network whenever you open a door. “ Peanuts, 10 o’clock!”
    ❤️

    Liked by 3 people

    1. The blue jays call each other. I guess that’s why a group of them is called a ‘Party’ – Party at the Antion’s.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. That leaf you needed ideas for… I immediately saw a Pterosaur. (I think I spelled that right, 🙄)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’ll go with your spelling, GP. I was thinking some kind of dinosaur, but I didn’t know about Pterosaurs (BTW, as I write this, spell check is suggesting Stegosaurus – wth?)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I looked it up and, lo and behold, I actually got it right, Pterosaur…

        Liked by 1 person

          1. haha, I’ve never been called that before!!

            Like

        1. Excellent choice, too.

          Liked by 1 person

  7. I got the same email. I thought it was so funny I showed it to my wife. I think that company had some problem with its emails because I also received one thanking me for joining a program (which I didn’t join). The next day there was an email saying the previous email was sent in error. I’m glad they sent that second email, because I wasn’t sure what was going on.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We are on the same list, Frank. I got the other two emails as well. Too bad I’m retired, they look like they could use my help ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Two LOLs in this one! A good start to the day. The marketing gimmicks out there these days make me clutch my wallet ever tighter, not to mention my personal information. To be congratulated on zero “bonus points” is the ultimate consumer insult. Good thing we can laugh. I really like the image of the river and the winter trees.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. If nothing else, Maureen, this shows they can’t be trusted with your information. I’m glad you like the photos.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Squirrels begging? Say it ain’t so!!!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Just a little, Frank. It’s cold outside. I’m not sure what their excuse will be in the summer.

      Like

  10. Dan, don’t let those rewards burn a hole in your pocket.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ha ha – I want to spend them, Suzanne.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Funny! I get annoying stuff like that sometimes and I agree with Oddment, what an insult! I saw a pelican in that one leaf and at first I thought the snow blogs were diapers, lol! So glad their not!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I promise, if I see diapers on the sidewalk, I won’t share photos ;-) I think pelican is a good choice.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Thanks for that! The first blob looked like the hole was made by a leaf.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. Beautiful sunsets! As for those rewards point, if you go halvsies with John Howell, the two of you should have enough to get that Bentley before long.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ha ha – you might be right, Liz. I do think Linda’s bonus points make a better reward, though.

      Liked by 2 people

  13. Darn! You know how to stack up those rewards. I ordered something online and received an email that I had earned like $1.23 and needed to spend it now. Couple weeks later, it had expired. So much for rewards… I think you need to switch programs, Dan. Either that or spend it on squirrel food. 🐿
    Bare trees in sunsets are so pretty. I do like those photos.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I have $1.42 in rewards at a place that sells sports gear. The least expensive item on their site is over $35 and the reward wouldn’t pay for half the shipping. If it expires, so be it. Maybe we should start a business, Lois. We’ll gather up all these tiny rewards, buy stuff and resell it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sounds good to me! 😆

        Liked by 1 person

  14. Haha! So nice of them to let you know you earned a big fat nothing!
    I think your dog looks more like a monkey.
    The second, maybe a stork reaching down, mouth open to capture his meal (ignoring the too many legs)?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Exactly, Dale. Thanks for nothing. You’re in agreement with Sharukh, although I’m not sure you have monkeys running around. The stork may be elderly and using a cane.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Seriously.
        Nope, we don’t but hey…
        That could be it!!

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I bet Skippy could give you some great advice on how to invest those bonus points.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I could invest in one of his plays!

      Liked by 1 person

  16. LOL! That sounds about right Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Hi Dan – your second any ideas? – a pelican came to mind … I’m sure they don’t look like that – but you asked and said leaf said ‘Hilary – a pelican’ … who knows?! Oh well at least it’s not negative! Cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re in good company, Hilary. Several people suggested pelican. I’ll go with that.

      Liked by 1 person

  18. Yep! I’m with you on the rewards. Seldom do you get much, but still, free shipping is free shipping. :) Love the photos and especially the shadows. The one you said you didn’t know looks like a stork to me.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree, Jan. The free shipping and the 10% original discount was worth the crazy emails. And, I got a blog post out of it, so I’m ahead. Stork and pelican are the leading suggestions. Thanks.

      Like

  19. I always wonder what kind of think you are going to post on Wednesday. Did not disappoint.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoy these, Nicole.

      Like

  20. Bwahahaha…don’t spend all of your savings at once. Love those leaf shadow pics.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ll try not to, but they are burning a hole in my pocket.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. “You just earned $0 in rewards” — ha ha! 🤣 Better than you having to pay rewards to the store, I suppose. And terrific photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s a great rewards program for the company. At least they won’t go broke.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Being part of an Awards program is always of benefit…except when it’s not. Oh well, s-l-o-w but free shipping will have to do, at least for now. As for that “unidentified leaf,” perhaps a pelican with its beak slightly ajar?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’re right, Bruce. The shipping and the initial discount put me in the win column. I won’t worry about the rewards piling up.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. Lucky you. Well done, clearly the rewards program is rewarding you, if not with $$$ at least with blog fodder.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You’ve been following long enough to know that I do associate value with that.

      Liked by 1 person

  24. LOL! Yes, really racking up those rewards…not! That’s a funny one-liner and post. You’ve been having some very nice sunsets lately.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. We have, Deborah, and after three weeks of not seeing a sunrise or a sunset, they are like magic.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. Ha. That’s about the size of it. Dan, you’ve put me in mind of something that could be a demented episode of the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, where “life’s rewards” total zero.
    I love the lightbulb photo. That’s terrific. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha ha – I like that thought, Teagan. Let’s hope there’s more in the account when it’s time to cash in. The lightbulb was the first photo, years ago, in a photo-a-day challenge. I turned on my desk lamp, the bulb blew and I had my picture.

      Liked by 1 person

  26. I would say the dog shadow is a monkey and the unknown a stork. Super post, Dan

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks John. You’re in good company with the monkey, and the stork.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. So true but those leaves enveloped by snow are awesome👍🏻

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the leaves that survived the fall cleanup and keep shining through winter.

      Like

  28. Ginger Salvatore Avatar
    Ginger Salvatore

    “You just earned $0 in rewards” has to be the ultimate insult. If that’s your reward, I’d hate to see your penalty!

    The little beggars just get cuter and cuter. Those snow blobs look like polyester used for crafts.

    I think that dog is actually a monkey and leaf next to it is a pelican. The last leaf shadow reminds me of a Prayingmantis.

    Old Glory never disappoints.

    Ginger💞 Sent from my iPad

    >

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The community has ruled solidly on the dog being a monkey. Ginger. They are split between pelican and stork, but I think pelican has more votes. The Praying mantis is new, but I like it.

      We think the beggars have been practicing their poses and stances.

      I’ve been snapping up some photos of Old Glory in the sunshine. I hope we can both enjoy more sunshine and the teaser of warmth that’s coming.

      Like

  29. Your unnamed leaf shadow is definitely a pelican, unless you have terradactyls out your way.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you! Yes, I agree (now) it’s a pelican.

      Like

  30. Congratulations! You get nothing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think that’s the message, John. The video is funny. “Absolutely nothing!”

      Liked by 1 person

  31. Better watch out – you’ll own the store soon as this rate!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It won’t be long now, Jan. I just need to spend a lot more ;-)

      Like

  32. I hope you can figure out how to use them soon or they might disappear. Oh, wait… Sometimes I sign up for this sort of thing, sometimes not. I do get the apps for coffee shops I visit occasionally and eventually I get a free drink. Starbucks used to give you a free drink during the month of your birthday. Then it was the week of your birthday and now it’s only on that day. Since I rarely go there anymore, I don’t mind, but I do about the wonderful French bakery in California where I can get $5 off an order on my birthday, but I’m never there. This year I’ll miss it again. Sigh.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. When I was working, we walked to a nearby Dunkin’ Donuts every day, so the rewards piled up. Since I’ve retired, they changed the program so you get very few rewards. I don’t think I’ve had a free drink since, but I still have a balance on the app. I get a 10% discount at a woodworking store during the month of my birthday, but there are so many restrictions, I’ve never really been able to use it.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. Great photos, as always, Dan. And your OneLiner – It’s hard to top that one. Well done! 😄

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Gwen The email was (at least) inspirational. I mean, what do you do with nothing.

      Like

  34. Thanks for the laugh Dan. Don’t spend them all in one place!
    I love your leaf shadows. And the sun! (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s Kerfe…I forgot to log in.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks Kerfe! We are enjoying the sun.

      Like

  35. That’s a lot of rewards Dan 🤣🤣. I love your images, the leaves with the snow are great. That leaf that looks like a dog, looks like a monkey to me with its tail in the air. Always love your pictures of squirrels too.

    Like

  36. Wow, this reward really cheered you up and got you something very nice for Valentine’s Day, Dan! Lovely photos of squirrels and sunset.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha – yes it did, Miriam. :-)

      Liked by 1 person

  37. Hi Dan, very nice pictures. Interesting snow blobs. I suppose free shipping is a nice reward in itself. We don’t get anything for free here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Free shipping and 10% off was worth the ridiculous email, Robbie. Plus, I got a blog post out of it.

      Like

  38. That’s too funny, Dan. Very nice photos.love the melting heart…

    Liked by 1 person

  39. Typical reward scheme!!!! You can spend zero on me at the bar I am a cheap date happy with the company?!
    Great photos, love the park bugger and grey and black friends, the Amazon building looks like it’s being invaded by aliens! I think the shadow animals are, Monkey, Dinosaur, and skinny anteater . The sun sets/ sunrises are stunning and old glory looks calm….. oblivious of all political goings on and any reward schemes 💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Old Glory flies in the face of everything, Willow. I periodically point out that she flies over all of us, as different groups try to co-opt her for their own twisted purpose.

      There are days I wish aliens would attack the Amazon building, It’s a giant eyesore where lovely farmland used to be. They destroyed acres and acres of habitat clearing the land for that. Monkey, Dinosaur, and skinny anteater works well. I don’t know why I didn’t see the monkey.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You didn’t see the monkey because you saw a dog, it’s a slight suggestion of Monkey in the shape of the head . As to old Glory sadly someone good or evil will always try to reappropriate her….. You know the truth.
        Yes it’s a shame about Amazon this big companies do what they want , to hell with the consequences 💜💜

        Liked by 1 person

        1. I think you’re right. It was a dog that got me started with those shadows. Maddie would often stop and sniff these leaves long enough for me to see something.

          The flag I feature most often is at the memorial in Veterans Park. No one can claim that flag. It flied in their honor. I only wish we would think about what they fought for and what we’ve done to that legacy.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. The dogs have so much wisdom and can’t pass it on verbally so they need to get through to us in different ways.
            The flag is a great symbol of what so many have given up for their country. How soon their country forgets!!

            Liked by 1 person

  40. 12 – pterodactyl?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That has been suggested :-)

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Your photos were definitely rewarding encounters! Loved the leaf shadows. Don’t spend all those rewards points…wait there are zero! 😅

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jennie. I’m going to hold onto those points 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. That’s a good thing!

        Liked by 1 person

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