I wonder (as I wander) With apologies to the Christmas song.

  As I was walking along the river today behind the YMCA at lunch, I saw some ducks out in the river. They would float along for a while, then duck their heads under water, their cute little ducky-butts to the sky. And I started wondering. And, since this Blog is called "Ponderings" I thought I would share the things I wonder, just some of the, one would hope, less crazy things that I wonder about.

1.  I wonder if they call the birds "ducks" because they duck their heads under the water to feed, or do we say "duck" meaning to lower your head, because of the bird?

2.  I wonder if the "Best Man" was ever just "The Most Suitable Man"? (Or is he the groom?) Why doesn't the bride marry the "Best Man"? (She thought she was marrying the best man)?

3. I wonder if all children are mystified when they fly their first kite?

4. I wonder why we call some people "hot". Are all the ones who are not "hot" then "cold". (And why do we call some people cold?)

5.  I wonder - if looks really could kill, how many of us would survive to puberty? Adulthood?

6.  You know all those "First Baptist" churches and "First Presbyterian" churches? I wonder which one was really first? Seems like there's a "First Baptist" in every town. And where are the "Second Baptists" and "Second Presbyterians"? Did they all give up when the "First" ones won?

7. I wonder, and this is a little risque maybe, I wonder what it meant to be "googled" or to "google" somebody, before it became a web site? (Can't you just hear some mother screaming and a child, "stop googling the neighbor girl, and get in here and take a cold shower!"

Guess I better get busy and "Google" some answers to these questions. Smile,you'll make people wonder why!

Lots of Things To Do This Weekend

Boy! There sure are a lot of things to consider doing this weekend! It makes you wish you could clone yourself so you could enjoy all those things! If you live in this area, I hope you will participate in at least one of these events.

   

Friday night at the historic Bristol Opera House, Elkhart Civic Theatre opens with "Beau Jest", a romantic comedy. I have seen some short video of rehearsal of this show, and it promises to be very funny. The story line is about a jewish young lady who is reluctant to admit to her parents that she is dating a non-jewish young man. She hires an actor to play the part of her boyfriend to meet her parents. Along the way, she develops romantic interest in the actor. This lends to all kinds of funny situations. If you can't see it this weekend, please call for tickets for next weekend on Monday, before they are all sold out! You can see more on Elkhart Civic Theatre's web page. The ticket line phone number is (574) 848-4116.

Friday night and Saturday, also in Bristol, the Storyteller's Festival takes place at Congdon Park. Take the kids, if you have them, and go hear live storytellers spin tales. It is a lot more fun than a night at the movies. Storytelling is not really a lost art, but we rarely get exposed to really good stories. In the days before radio and television, this was the way people entertained each other. (Well that, and live theater!) Think of Prairie Home Companion without the music. Have fun!

My favorite park in Elkhart County, Bonneyville Mill, is also having it's festival this weekend. I love it! You have vintage craft exhibitions; vendors walking around in costumes of yesteryear selling things like apple cider and popcorn, ham and beans cooked in a big kettle over an open fire, homemade root beer, (please return the bottles when you are done), homemade pies, pulled pork sandwiches...I could go on. For Jay and I, our favorite thing to do is to get up early on Saturday morning and ride our bikes over to the Sausage and Pancake breakfast. All the pancakes you can eat, a cup of coffee and a generous size sausage for one low price. We will probably drive over this year since we are going to be up late Friday night if we stay and watch "Beau Jest" after we Box Office. There is a parking fee, but it is minimal, and well worth it. There is all kinds of free entertainment in the entertainment tent during the festival Saturday and Sunday. They also have a children's activities area where they get to do things like dip candles and bob for apples. Stop by the Mill while you are there and get some cornmeal for your winter time baking. The Mill will soon be closed for the winter.

I know there are other things going on this weekend. There is another home game for Notre Dame this weekend. I will want to watch at least the last half of that. Go ND! Whatever you do, please be safe and have a great weekend!

That Feels Better

   Jay is employed as a security guard with Employer's Security Incorporated. That is good news! His hours are "swing" shift, which, most of the time is going to be ok. He just works graveyard shift two nights a week. I am kind of wondering if he will be able to stay awake in the wee hours of the mornings. We will find out tomorrow night when he does his first 10 pm to 6 am shift.
   I really feel good about this job for him. The other times recently that he has been employed, I just had the feeling that the job wouldn't last. I hoped it would, but I just had an awful feeling, almost a knowing, the job would not last. This time, I don't have that. So, if it doesn't last, boy will I be super disappointed.
   In other news, I haven't done too well over the weekend keeping my eating under control. Holiday weekends are bad for diets, I think. I have kept up my exercise. It's a beautiful evening, so, before it gets too late, I am going on a 200 calorie killing bike ride!
See you!

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Banff National Park in Alberta Canada is just beautiful!