Ten Things That Make Me Laugh...

That's right, it's Ten Things Tuesday again.  Share your Ten Things in the comments below or add them to your blog and leave us a link in the comments so we can stop by and get to know you a bit better.

Ten Things That Make Me Laugh  (in no special order)

Spending time with my family. My son has a wicked sense of humor. :-)

The squirrels trying to get the sunflower seeds out of the bird feeder.  I have no clue how they can hang upside down like that.

The cats when they have been in the catnip.

Jeff Dunham and his gang of dummies/puppets.

Spending time with good friends.

Watching guys show off at the gym.

Blonde jokes.  (I'm brunette.)

Snoopy & Garfield

Daffy Duck when he gets his bill shot off.

Muppet Show.  I love Beaker.  Statler and Waldorf just make laugh like crazy.

Now, what about you?  What makes you laugh?

Ten Places I'd Like To Go...

It's "Ten Things" Tuesday so join in by leaving a link to your list of ten things.

Here's ten of the places I'd like to go, in no special order...

The Grand Canyon - I'd love to do the mule ride to the bottom thing.

Yellowstone - Would love to see the geysers, hike in the park, see the wildlife.

Alaska -  Maybe watch the Iditarod, see the Northern Lights. I'd like to learn how to drive a dog sled, too.

The Islands - Bermuda, Bahama, Key Largo, Montego...

Africa - A camera safari would be so awesome.

New York City - Just once, to say I've been there. :-)

Spain - Especially Valencia. I've wanted to go here ever since I watched the movie El Cid.

Transylvania - Is any explanation needed?

Israel - Would love to go here but it's just not safe now. Sigh...

Hogwarts - I know it's fictional but it would be so cool if Hogwarts did exist.


What about you?

Motivational Monday

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails...explore...dream....discover.

- Mark Twain

I have found this to be so true.  But not just things I didn't do twenty years ago, ten years ago, two years ago, two months ago, two weeks ago. I think we should take Mr. Twain's words to heart and see what happens.

*Tomorrow is Ten Things Tuesday.  Why not join in? Here's the rules...make your list of "Ten Things" to go with the prompt below. Post that list on your blog then come back here Tuesday and leave a comment with the l ink to your blog post so we can all stop by. Tomorrow's prompt is...Ten Places I'd Like To Go...

Cat Training 101

Yes, you can train a cat.  It takes lots of patience, time and treats but it can be done. There's just a couple things you must remember.

First, cats are all about what's in it for them. You have to find something your cat really, really wants.  So much that he's willing to perform to get it. Mine love turkey from the deli. I tried the normal cat treats but those were turned down flat.

Second, this is not an over night thing. It may takes weeks of daily practice to get your cat to do these things.

Third, stop on a positive note. Stop before you or your cat become frustrated. Just a few minutes, several times a day is enough.

Fourth, cats are cats and just when you think you have them trained, they'll let you know you don't.

Lastly, this is just for fun. For you and him.Don't force your cat.

After you have that special item your cat will work for, find a place you both are comfortable.  I'm using the kitchen table for these pictures but I don't normally let them on the table. (Not that they care where they are or aren't allowed.) With your cat standing, show him the treat. Let him have a taste.

This is Rumple.

I started with "Sit." It's something they do on their own, don't mind doing and is an easy behavior to link to getting a treat.

Once he's interested in what you're offering, raise it higher so he has to stretch a bit. You'll notice his backside is getting lower. Tell him to "sit" in a firm tone.

This is Skittles.  As you can see, he's seated nicely, checking out his treat.

I like to reinforce the connection between the behavior (sitting) and the command (sit) by saying "Good sit" as he's eating his reward.

Again, this may take many repetitions before they obey reliably. And sometimes, depending on mood of cat, they may not no matter what you entice them with.

Once you have "sit" down, you can raise the treat higher and have them sit up.  I use the command "up" and repeat the process of teaching the sit.

Remember, this is just for fun and spending some time with your pet. I'm not a "cat whisperer" by any means, just someone who likes a challenge.

Next time, teaching your cat to "come" when called.

Ten Things That Make Me Happy Are...

In no particular order...

*  Chocolate - I love chocolate.  In just about any form. Hot to drink on cold mornings, frozen as ice cream in the summer, as pie or cake, covering pretzels or just a plain "candy bar."

*  Time spent with friends. Especially friends we don't get to see often.

*  Family - I have a great family. Great kids, great husband.  And even a great Mom. We finally live in the same town and get to spend more time together.  Which is something that hasn't happened since I left home at age 17 and joined the Air Force.

*  Horses - I really like horses. I love the smell of a horse. It's something only other horse people understand. :-) I like just being around them, brushing them, feeding 'em and even the cleaning up after 'em part.

*  A purring cat - There is just something about a purring cat. If my cats ever find out all they have to do to get whatever they want is to purr...I'll never get anything done.

*  Flowers -I love the smell of  Honeysuckle and Gardenias. And while Roses are pretty, I really like Carnations and Daisies. Petunias and Pansies.  And of course my Bonsai Trees.

*  Playing in the dirt - Every spring there comes a time when I must get out and play in the dirt.  Just the feel of dirt between my fingers as I plant stuff makes me happy.  It soothes the soul.

* Music - From country to classical and from rock to reggae, I have really eclectic taste in music. New Orleans jazz. Gospel. New Age stuff and Blues.  About the only thing I don't care for is rap.

*  Good books - I absolutely love finding a book so good I get lost in it.  One that I forget to eat while reading.  That time seems to stand still and when I do look up, hours have past since I started.  Books that make me want to read straight through without stopping.

* Puppies - How can you not love puppies. They take such a joy in living. And they love you no matter what.


Now it's your turn.  Share your Ten Things and post the link in the comment section for the rest of us to read.

Ten Things Tuesday

The other night at my writer's group I was once again reminded how important it is to journal. Not only for myself, but for others.

But I have to be honest, I've never been good at journaling.  Ever. Y'all can see that by how much trouble I have keeping current posts here. (Insert deep sigh.) When I was a kid, I once had a diary however, it had lots more blank pages when I was done with it than it had filled ones. And I kinda regret that now.  How cool would it be to read that diary these many years later?

So, in an effort to be a little better at imparting my thoughts to some kind of journal, I'm starting a "Ten Things Tuesday" series.

Here's how it'll work.  I'll post the "Ten Things" prompt here on Monday.  On Tuesday, stop back by here for my "Ten Things" and leave a link back to where you have posted your "Ten Things."

I'll post to Facebook and Twitter my link using the #TenThings hashtag so we can let others know.  You can follow me on Twitter at @JeanLauzier and on Facebook with Jean Lauzier.  I look forward to getting to know you.

Here's the Ten Things Tuesday Prompt.

* Ten things that make me happy are...

Be sure to stop by tomorrow and leave your link in the comments!

There really are tree people...

The other day I was out in the backyard doing something, I forget what now, but I was out there anyway.  I came across this opening into a tree way back in the back part of the yard.  You can see it's cleverly hidden but it is there.  A way inside. 

I'm not sure how far back it goes, I didn't want to stick my hand in, it might be boobie trapped. And besides, I didn't want to disturb the tree people. 

Wonder if they like chocolate?

Tree People

This morning I woke to the sound of chainsaws outside my bedroom window. Not the most pleasant of sounds first thing in the morning, either. 

Thing is, we've been expecting the tree people ever since last Thursday.  The tree people are coming, the tree people are coming.

Which leads me to ask, just what do tree people look like?  Did they have leaves for hair? Did their skin resemble bark? Were they similar to squirrels? Did they live in the highest branches so we couldn't see them only coming down at night?

I have to admit, I'm kinda disappointed.  These tree people wear old blue jeans, tattered t-shirts and ballcaps and wield chainsaws.

My imagined tree people are much more interesting. Is that a plot bunny over there?  Yes, I believe it is.