We’ve had a pretty good week around here. We had some rain, but an amount that might be considered normal for April in Connecticut. It feels like we’ve truly turned the corner and are heading toward summer not just running away from winter. Of course, David and I are adhering to our regular schedule. We’re at the bar, deserving of a refreshing adult beverage and driven by the prospect of bonus points to handle Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt:

If we were having a beer…well, this is just great.

I guess I’m not quite ready for the activity of spring. I spent the afternoon trying to migrate from big boxes to hardware stores looking for some nuts and bolts for a small project. In the evening, when I would normally be preparing this blog post, I had a call from a friend that lasted a good long time. I don’t like missing this post, but I wouldn’t trade a good conversation for anything.

Still, I really want those bonus points. I’ll be back next week, and I’ll work to ingreat my normal bar banter to a post that might reach an overgreat level.

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

77 responses to “Barely Adequate—SoCS”

  1. Love the animal gang and the trees.
    Shopping trolleys should have bumper bars or a driving test before being allowed to push them.
    In the town shopping centres, you have to know where to park to reduce the shopping trolley incidences 🙄

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I almost forgot, there was a great puddle for Thursdays Ragtag Prompt 😁

      Liked by 1 person

    2. This parking lot is set on a fairly good slope, Brian. You have to know where to park because those carts (I do like the word trolley) build up a nice head of steam when they break loose.

      Glad you like the puddle. I’ve always liked them.

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Good for you Dan a chat with an old friend beats most things💜. You gave us some great photos and even if it grates bot to post fully you did post and you used both prompts …. You already deserve your bonus points!! 😄😄

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Willow. I had the post about 25% written when I realized I’d never finish. The conversation was fun. Fortunately, the photos had already been prepared.

      I hope you have a great weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We are just not superheroes … Yet! Have a good weekend too 💜

        Liked by 2 people

  3. Interesting selection of photos

    Like

  4. A conversation with an old friend trumps other things every time. With regard to the shopping carts, I think Aldi has it figured out. Even paying a quarter encourages people to return them to their parking spot. It’s kind of funny when you think about it. :-) I LOVE the telephone booth at the top. The only thing missing are the old phone books on chains. :-) Happy Saturday, and I am thrilled to not be running from winter.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Judy! I remember BJ’s using that method for encouraging people to return the carts. I usually park in an aisle with one of the corrals, but it’s never so much trouble as to risk damaging someone’s car. This lot is on a hill, so those carts really get moving when they break free.

      Im glad you like the phone booths ;-)

      Liked by 2 people

  5. I am so jealous of kids and their newfangled playgrounds! I did love the swings and slides and push merry-go-rounds of ancient times, but today’s playgrounds are so much more inviting! Sometimes, when I’d take my grandchildren to a great park and no one else was there, I’d climb too. And, yes, creak a bit, but it was worth it. You have me enamored of quince now; those blooms are really gorgeous. I’m waiting for the Beauty of Moscow to open, of course. (Is that the right name?) As for good conversations, especially with friends, that is more of a luxury than jam could ever be!

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    1. Ha ha – it’s good to see your still jamming on topic. I am equally jealous of toady’s kids, and totally perplexed when I see kids in that park, sitting on a bench staring into their phone. I do admit to having been to the top of this particular playground equipment.

      The quince are something you might want to appreciate from afar. They have the nastiest thorns, and they spread themselves around. The Beauty of Moscow are my favorite lilacs, and UPS delivered three new ones last night. They have been hard to find, but my wife found some that seemed affordable. I’ll be planting them (if it ever stops raining).

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      1. Thanks for the warning on the quince! I do try to avoid spreaders. But there’s no denying the gorgeousness of that color.
        That’s sad that the Beauty of Moscow is hard to find, but very good news that you found more!
        So you’ve been to the top of that playground gizmo! Applause, applause!

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Not recently, but yes.

          The weird thing about the quince, and the honeysuckle in the back yard, is that they’ve started blooming again later in the year. Not full, but several blossoms on each. One of our lilacs started blooming in early November.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. We live in weird times. To put it mildly.

            Liked by 2 people

      2. Bougainvillea have nasty thorns as well when they get big and bushy, but they are still my favorite flower. They grow especially well at the coast.

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Beautiful bunny shot. Our quince hasn’t even budded leaves yet, so you’re way ahead of us this year.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I told that bunny he had to pose for you. I’m surprised the quince bloomed this well. I had to prune it back in October to keep it off the sidewalk.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Quince should always be pruned after it blooms or during winter dormancy. Never in spring, which is when my husband does it. This is why ours doesn’t bloom well…
        😩

        Liked by 2 people

        1. Thanks. I end up having to prune these a few times in the summer because they’re too close to the sidewalk. I don’t want people getting snagged by those thorns. I cut them way back last fall, hoping I could leave them alone longer this year.

          Liked by 2 people

          1. Ours is insane. Climbs right up and over the roof if we let it.

            Liked by 2 people

  7. Love your photo shoots, Dan. And it is very respectful of you to stop at the Veterans’ Memorial.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad you like the photos, GP. The memorial is for the veterans of this town, but I like to think about the ones I knew from my family and their friends. A few moments isn’t much to ask.

      Liked by 2 people

  8. The photos are so pretty, but I especially like the weeping willow. We had two planted in our backyard in Jersey. Down here, they are pretty much non-existent–and I miss them. We were out of town yesterday and have to laugh at how much my part of the state uses palm trees. There has been/is still ongoing a lot of road work to (finally!) expand our roads and palm trees are the tree of choice for landscaping.

    Is Slow Joe checking out the ball fields already? I so look forward to seeing those guys on the field. Have a great weekend, Dan.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m so mad at our town, Lois. They’ve already sprayed those fields. I hardly ever see birds out there now because there aren’t any bugs. I guess they don’t know about birdball.

      We had a weeping willow in our yard when we moved in. Our daughter loved it, but it was dying and big branches were falling off during storms. It had to come down. I would think they’d love Florida, as the love being near water.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Sprayed…that’s awful. You know the neighbors on both sides of me have immaculate lawns and just had their yards sprayed yesterday morning. Last night, I heard a chattering in our front yard and all these black birds, cardinals and blue jays were flying from my yard to my trees…it was wonderful! The cats were going a bit nuts, but I loved it. I don’t understand the need for the perfect yard, I really don’t.

        Liked by 2 people

        1. I don’t either. We have so many birds and critters in our yard, and we love watching them. Our neighbors just had their lawn sprayed. It’s crazy

          Liked by 2 people

  9. I was so ready for a drink, Dan! But I understand. I didn’t post last weekend due to time at the pool, time with the Geek Squad, and then biking buddy asked if I wanted to go out for a Friday fish fry. Life gets in the way sometimes, but better to have that long conversation with a good friend than worry about a blog post.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Mary. At least this was a good time when life got in the way.

      You can still have that drink, though. Cheers!

      Liked by 2 people

  10. p.s. I forgot to include my groan. “Jamming on topic”? Definitely a groan. Good one!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Ha ha – Lois isn’t letting that topic go, either.

      Liked by 3 people

      1. How can we let go of something with such endless possibilities? We really should thank the marketer — we needed the laugh!

        Liked by 2 people

  11. Murphy's Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    Dan a good long conversation with an old friend trumps all every time. You will be blogging next Saturday, but who knows when you’ll have the opportunity again to chat with your friend?

    LOVE the phone booths! Guess you have to memorize the phone numbers because there are no phone books or pencil on a string or a pad of paper to jot the number down!

    The playgrounds today are amazing. We had swings, slide and merry-go-round, and still had lots of fun.

    I wonder if people would be more apt to return their cart to the corral if they came back to their car and found some lazy persons cart slammed into their own car!

    Blossoming quince and trees are just gorgeous.

    Really nice shot of Old Glory.

    Hope you have a great weekend.

    Ginger🦋

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Ginger. The conversation was very good. way better than babbling with a fictional friend. The phone booths seemed appropriate, but yeah, no phone books. To think that people used to come around, pick up the money and keep those books up-to-date. White and Yellow Pages!

      We had swings, slides, see-saws and those killer merry-go-rounds. I remember being deemed old enough to hang on the outside of the rail. That was the best thing about having an older brother and older cousins, they would wail that thing around.

      I don’t know why people can’t walk the cart 30 feet to the corral. It really isn’t that far.

      I think the rain stopped. Maybe I’ll get something done outside. I hope you have a great weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I don’t like when lazy folks don’t put the carts back! Of course, it would help if store personnel would gather them up on time too, which they don’t always stay on top of. I missed the bar convo, but I understand about long phone calls from dear friends. I need to make one myself tonight! It’s way overdue!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Kim. I don’t understand not putting the cart back. I do, and if there’s a straggler in the lot on my way to the door, I’ll take it with me.

      Make that call. You never know how important it can be.

      Like

  13. I hope you enjoy your weekend Dan. Your posts are always more than adequate. Good conversations are treasures. We were on our way to dinner in town last evening when my oldest called us via video. So we chatted and exchanged views while we drove, because when your grandson says “You know who I love Dad? Maw Maw and Paw Paw” and wants to call so you can watch him jump on a trampoline…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You have to take that call, Cheryl. ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  14. I agree – a good conversation is worth delaying almost anything. Glad your weather is giving you a peak at spring!

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Sorry Dan. I posted the wrong link. 🤦‍♀️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Excellent, Cheryl. All openings that lead somewhere are doors ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

  16. I’m a big fan of trees, and your pictures never disappoint. I’m particularly a fan-girl of willows. And trees with pink blossoms. And…. well, trees.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I love seeing the trees in the spring.

      Like

  17. Gorgeous photos Dan, I browse your photographs over and over. I do love the willows most of all.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Holly. I’m glad you enjoy those photos. I enjoy sharing them. The willows are messy but I love seeing them.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ive always wanted a willow tree. My neighbor had two big trees. I didn’t realize they are messy. Lots of raking?

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        1. Yes, and the leaves are very tiny. Like picking up shredded paper

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          1. Well, that’s not fun. Still so beautiful.

            Liked by 1 person

  18. Terrific photos, Dan. Those calls are very important.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks John. At our age, you need to answer every one.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. Those phone calls are GREAT! :) And yes, they trump blogging any day. Great photos. Spring is springing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Jan. Those calls are the best.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. No beer this week, huh?

    Liked by 1 person

  21. That bunny looks quite corpulent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It might be Ms. Bun and she might be with bunnies 👶

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ah, that would explain it.

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Oh the trees! They’re magnificent. Have a restful weekend, Dan. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. Those long talks with good friends are far more important. Hey, that bunny and squirrel are huge! It’s either babies or all those peanuts from you. 🙂 Spring is finally here, thanks for the lovely photos!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The bunnies don’t eat peanuts, so it might be babies 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  24. Ha ha ha! Nicely sidestepped. Love the bunnies.

    Liked by 1 person

  25. Your photos are always more than adequate Dan. I think you’re right about spring, too. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

  26. The shot of the cart “meeting” the car makes me think of some unexplained marks on ours. I do think while we’re in stores we’re missing out on some of these encounters. I’ve seen some people just aim and throw their carts back towards the corrals…they don’t appear to care where they might land.🛒

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Our grocery is on a slope. I’ve stopped a few runaways. Lots of people don’t care what happens to them.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. A conversation with a good friend is worth a shorter post, but you got the bonus words in there too so, win-win!

    I always walk my cart back. I like the extra steps, and there’s just something so satisfying about the way the sound of it crashing into and fitting into the cart in front of it feels.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Haha – that’s funny, but you’re right.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, I’m still a little kid sometimes.😀

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        1. That’s a good thing!

          Liked by 1 person

  28. I love that you took the time to enjoy a conversation with a dear friend! Your photos of spring are so delightful. Happy Spring/Earth Day week to you. 

    Liked by 1 person

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