Just for Fun

After reading Nina Hollander, Broker  blog posting, Organize Your Home Day: More Than Cleaning – It’s a Lifestyle Upgrade today, January 14, 2026  I decided to take care of some new Pyrex storage glassware we received yesterday. Coming from the 1950’s when Pyrex and Corning Ware were among the uniform glass storage ware, I decided to “pitch” our plastic containers. For us this was a "life style upgrade."Also, I have read about some of the negative aspects of plastic and food storage.  Actually, I am donating the plastic containers to Goodwill as the containers are in good to excellent condition.As I removed the plastic containers, I realized I had not used probably 50% of them. We have metal bowls and much larger pottery bowls if necessary. I did keep some smaller ones that we use for f... 01/14/2026

Am I Crazy?Asking yourself "am I crazy" may be a good sign that you are not, HOWEVER if you think that a check-up may be in order then by all means check with a professional.Long winters can be hard on people due to the separation. This was proven by the Fouchi covid mandate of separation. Maybe Ted Kaczynski also proved it.Loneliness is no laughing matter, it does kill people. Reflecting back to covid policy I wonder how many nursing home people died because they were seperated from family? When the elderly needed family support the most it was against the law for family to see them.The point is that no matter how hard it may be to get out and visit one should. It you are not one who needs human interaction good for you BUT maybe you should think of someone who would be delighted with ... 01/15/2026

Trivia question answers for Tuesday January 13, 20251.  Used to complete the first transcontinental railway,  the last spike was made of    what material? Gold2. In what country would you be most likely encounter a Tasmanian devil?    Australia3. What is sulphur also known as? Brimstone4. Chemically, what type of acid is stomach acid? Hydrochloric AcidTrivia questions for Wednesday January 14, 20251. What are the two main ingredients of mayonnaise?2. What color is cerulean?3. What continents have never hosted the Olympics?4. The fillet of what fish is used to make "rollmops"?Enjoy your day. 01/14/2026

Every year on January 14th, and this year on Wednesday January 14, 2026, we celebrate unofficial Organize Your Home Day.It is time to clean organize or toss out untidiness hanging around and in the house.Maybe more shelfs, closets, or floor space need to place those items, donate or discard what you can.Get personal or digital organizer and put together a plan to make a home cleaner, more spacious, and more beautiful.Perhaps there might be other helpful list for organize you home day!I want to wish everyone on ActiveRain community a Happy Organize Your Home Day. 01/14/2026

My social media, blogging, and video habits might be confusing to some add to that I am a big analytics kind of guy.  I started teaching this stuff back in December of 2007 across the country and when I switched from being a National Speaker to a Florida Realtor thought time to practice what I preached.  The reason I am bringing this up is this week’s Top Three is complicated.  You need to watch the video to completely understand.Here we go the Number Three most read or viewed article or video was “Mexican Train, Very Popular in The Villages.”  This was posted across most of my platforms but not YouTube or Pinterest.  Number Two was “Blonde Ambition at Spanish Springs,” this was only posted in my Facebook Page “Dick Betts, Realtor, The Villages, FL” as a post and a Reel.  Now my Number ... 01/14/2026

Zoom Homework…California…Getting to Know You Before today’s excellent Zoom presentation by Whiskey’s dad, Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP  I had only three brief visits to California.  When I was deciding on a college, my CA cousins wanted me to apply to USC and join them. There was no way I would ever live on the West Coast!  That said, Thomas’s personal “tour” and knowledge of California made me consider another visit!  Like many people, when someone says California, my mind goes to beaches and the Golden Gate Bridge…to earthquakes and inflated lips and faces so tight, they might snap.  I can see why people like living where they can be at the beach in the morning, then head to the mountains in the afternoon.  Take Napa Valley. I’d always heard about Napa Valley bu... 01/14/2026

  Ingredients For Crispy Chicken 3 Chicken Breast skinless and boneless 2 eggs 1 1/3 cup Flour 1 tsp Smoked Paprika 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper 1 tsp Mustard Powder ½ tsp Chili Flakes ½ tsp Salt ½ tsp Garlic powder ¼ tsp White pepper freshly crushed ¼ tsp Black pepper freshly crushed 4 to 6 tbsp Oil any vegetable oil For Honey Garlic Sauce 1 tsp Olive oil 2/3 cup Honey 2 cloves garlic minced 2 tbsp Soy Sauce 1 1/3 tbsp Corn starch 3 to 4 tbsp Water 1 tbsp Sesame Seed optional Salt and pepper to taste Instructions Start with cutting the chicken breast in the butterfly style but cut it all the way through to make six pieces out of 3 chicken breasts. Pound them roughly to ½ to ¼ inch and set them aside. Now take a deep dish and add flour, cayenne pepper, paprika, mustard powder, chili flakes, gar... 01/14/2026

I have a good friend who mentions being booted and suited to take on the new challenges each day. As I have thought about this, I decided to add another layer to this already sage advice. Being rooted is necessary, as we never know what is going to come at us from left field.ROOTED:  Whatever it is that we are doing in our lives, it is vital to have an anchor. This anchor may be very different for different people and in various circumstances. For me, my anchor is found in my faith. When life throws that crazy curveball, being rooted in something that I know has greater stability than I possess, it helps ground me during the storms.BOOTED: Now, those of us in Texas may think of those fancy cowgirl boots when you think about being booted. While those are certainly great fashion accessori... 01/13/2026

Applying for a VISA is quite the ordeal!   Requirements - I started this process in October, with fingerprints, FBI check and got all the financial documents together.   Then applied for my NIF number (tax ID for Portugal) and set up a Portuguese bank account.    Then contacting a Portuguese attorney to draw up a document for accommodations in Portugal.    My friend has an apartment he owns in Portugal, and he will allow me to stay there for an undetermined amount of time, but this all had to be documented into an agreement.    You also must have travel insurance for one year, and buy your plane ticket IN HOPES your application gets approved.  (better to get the refundable tickets)Dollars Spent - So far, with all the dollars and euros I have spent, it is around $3,000, and I still have ... 01/14/2026

Apricot Skies Mesmerize Am a lucky observer when nature displays a sprectacular lightshow. Southern Utah's sunrises and sunsets captivate, with their vivid, ever-changing beauty, thanks to the state's dramatic red and white stone hardscapes. The high desert becomes bathed in warm golden to fiery spectrums, creating an almost ethereal glow. The sun's rays pierce through any cloud cover, silhouetting jutting rock faces, rugged peaks, adding contrast and depth. Utah's clear skies and dry air amplify the colors' intensity and clarity, making each dawn and dusk a unique, breathtaking spectacle that feels both timeless and magical. Apricot skies mesmerize with all eyes-on the horiz-on!~ Wanda Kubat-Nerdin 🧡💛🧡Morning all, wishing you a most wonderful day ahead. 01/13/2026

🛳Mexican Riviera Cruise 2026 ☀️For ALL of Your East Valley AZ Real Estate Needs📞Call or 🙋‍♂Text Brian at 480-773-2370📨Email BrianSince quite a few of my favorites in the Rain wanted to hear about my recent cruise, I figured I would tell everyone about it and share a few pictures. My brother and I had a wonderful time visiting Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, and Mazatlán. It was such a great way to start out 2026!We departed from San Diego and returned to San Diego, which allowed the convenience of being able to drive out there and back without having to hassle with the airlines, haha. During the trip, there were so many amazing sunrises and sunsets. The most amazing one occurred while I was eating dinner one evening, but I didn't get photos of it because the window had a reflection. So many p... 01/14/2026

As many who attend the ActiveRain Zoom calls know, using AI to design photos can be a lot of fun. There are many tools and platforms that can be used (free of charge at the moment) to design visuals such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Bing Images and more. The results of prompts can definitely be interesting!So this morning I read an article on Popular Science that states that AI cannot properly design analog clocks that are set at a specific time. The article indicated that AI would put the numbers in the wrong place, and the hands aren't always actually in the clock. Apparently humans can read clocks, and AI cannot and the reasons aren't clear. Some of the hypothesis were that there aren't enough pictures of clocks at different times available for AI to learn how to tell time. Another thought is... 01/13/2026

Trivia question answers for Monday January 12, 20261. What is a popular 1990's slang for very short cutoff jeans? Daisy dukes2. Which continent is Greenland part of? North America3. How tall is an adult regulation soccer net? 8 feet4. What is actually is a shooting star? A meteorTrivia questions for Tuesday January 13, 20251.  Used to complete the first transcontinental railway,  the last spike was made of    what material?2. In what country would you be most likely encounter a Tasmanian devil?3. What is sulphur also known as?4. Chemically, what type of acid is stomach acid?Enjoy your day. 01/13/2026

This game will be a great defensive battle.  Both teams with top 10 defenses. The New England Patriots now know their opponent for next weekend at Gillette Stadium. After defeating the Chargers, 16-3, in the wild-card round, New England will host the Houston Texans in the AFC divisional round on Sunday in Foxborough. Kick-off is set for 3 p.m.  Prediction time: Patriots 17 Texans 14 (what say you Kathy? Bill One of us will be sleeping like this Sunday tonight.  Contact me, billsalvatore.teamiii@gmail.com or call 602-999-0952  YOUR   Latest activity in the VALLEY of the SUNFor ALL your Valley AZ Real Estate NeedsPHONE   Bill   at   602-999-0952Text          Bill   at    602-999-0952Email       Bill    at BillSalvatore.teamiii@gmail.com Read other YVP Blogs hereFor more information, Call ... 01/13/2026

Journal Entry for January 13, 2025 A warm home begins with a warm heart. A warm heart enjoys the good company of warm and trusting friends. Surprising FactsFuzzy socks were introduced in the 1970's and became very popular in the 1980's thanks to new knitting techniques. Flashdance was filmed in late 1982 before being released in 1983.The oldest known slippers, were found in a cave, are around 10,000 years old, made from woven fabric with a toe pocket and thong. Ancient records from China show slippers were used as far back as 4700 BC. Early slippers featured symbols of dragons and were made with cotton and leather.Ancient Egyptians wore sandals, precursors to modern slippers made from papyrus and palm leaves found in some early tombs.Other ancient/early cultures wore woven fabric (rope ... 01/13/2026

Come on, it may be Monday, but you could use an extra smile today, right? So, how about a look at the humor of the hilarious Tim Hawkins?  Sit back, make it look like you are working hard on some research, and enjoy! And now this is the latest installment of Mayhem Merriment Monday. 01/12/2026

... go outside and play. That being said, even the temps outside lately will melt a snowman in the Minot ND area. A melting snowman obviously inspiried this painting by Norman Rockwell, it's the January 2026 picture on my calendar.Some women make so much noise shoveling the snow, their husbands can not even nap in peace" author unknown. 01/14/2026

Good post by Rain today, and worthy of our daily Re-Blog.BillGILBERT ARIZONA HOMES FOR SALE, Bill Salvatore, AZVHV / HelpingArizona Heroes, New-Construction Advantage, Realtor, sell my house, 2026Market, Chandler Just because you are right,  doesn’t mean the other person is wrong. In a world where everyone is talking, few people are truly listening. Two people stand on opposite sides of a number. One sees a six. The other sees a nine. And both are absolutely convinced they are right. And the truth is…They are. From their perspective. So often in life — whether in family, friendships, business, or even everyday conversations — disagreements don’t come from bad intentions. They come from different angles, different experiences, and different truths. We See Through the Lens of Our Story Ev... 01/12/2026

Broncos to host Divisional Round matchup vs. Bills on Saturday, Jan. 17 Following a first-round bye, the top-seeded Broncos will host the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round on Saturday, Jan. 17.   The NFL will announce the kickoff time — 2:30 p.m. MT or 6 p.m. MT — and TV network on Monday.   Visit the Broncos’ Playoff Hub online or on the official Denver Broncos mobile app for all the latest playoffs news, content and fan features. 01/12/2026

We have had a blanket of snow this Winter but with all the warm weather we have been experiencing lately there is very little left of it. What you see is pretty much just the man-made piles resulting from moving it around.As far as actual blankets there are a lot of Scandinavians and Germans in and around Minot and both are known for their beautiful quilts. We always take time to enjoy the ones we see submitted for the quilters competition in the North Dakota State Fair.Bringing this back to North Dakota weather: we are only about a third of the way through it. The second half of January and all of February is often the most brutal part of our winter. We can easily have a run of 20 and 30 degrees below zero as well as several feet of snow. Only time will tell.If we do get collobered in ... 01/13/2026