Monday Ramblings from the Byrd Nest

Lots of people are beginning to decorate their houses around here. A friend told me she bought some new lights to decorate the outside of her house for Christmas this year. She said she got those LED lights that are so bright they almost look blue. I guess the same ones on cars now that blind you even when they're not on bright. She said they really show off the house, but she's a little worried because she's so close to the airport that the airplanes might mistake her house for a runway.

In the store recently, I was trying to buy some Diet Cokes. The shelf was empty, so instead of going somewhere else, lazy me took the easy route and wandered down the Pepsi display. I reached to pick up a Diet Pepsi when I realized it wasn't just Diet Pepsi, it was Diet Pepsi Zero. Then I looked and I saw there was also Pepsi Zero. Quite a puzzle to me because if there's such a thing as no sugar in the Pepsi Zero, why is there a Diet Pepsi at all? And makes me wonder what they left out to make it Diet Pepsi Zero?

I saw on the news recently that a letter George Washington wrote was going to be auctioned off and was expected to bring a couple of million dollars or better. Makes you wonder where it's been all this time. Probably in one of Ben Franklin's library books that was never returned.

Paul McCartney was on TV the other day encouraging people to go meatless just one day a week to see how easy it was. I suggested it to the hubby, and his response was "Is Paul McCartney coming to dinner?" When I tried to explain the concept of kindness to animals, his reply was, "You find me something growing in the garden that tastes like pork chops, we'll talk, but in the meantime, I could use another Sloppy Joe."

And speaking of Sloppy Joes, there's an enticing name if I've ever heard one. I assume that name was picked up from a restaurant somewhere along the way. Sounds like a real appetizing place to pick from the tourist restaurant guide.

I passed by a little road the other day and saw a long line of cars sitting watching a train go by. It was sort of interesting to me, because I knew that track didn't go anywhere. I started to just stop and see how long everyone waited before they realized that. It reminded me how people will sit in front of a red stoplight waiting before they realize it's stuck. Been behind them before for sure.

They have these rough markers they placed in the painted lines on the highway now to let you know you've drifted over the line. I used to think it was to wake people up who might be falling asleep, but now I think it's mostly for cell phone users who can't seem to live without knowing what Susie's having for lunch. Anyway, you realize it's a good thing if it happens to me except for that overcompensating you do and swerve into that other guy's lane and he's waving his fist at you. Makes you appreciate that car that will go from zero to sixty in two seconds.

I understand the Energizer Bunny was arrested the other day, and no, it wasn't for disturbing the peace. He was charged with excessive battery.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day. Always good to remember that many have given their lives for our freedom. The plant pictured above is kudzu, a ground cover plant we have in the South. Fastest growing plant in the world, I suspect. It's been known to cover buildings, cars, and people if they stand still long enough. My grandmother always told me the Japanese government sent it to us as a peace offering after the war.

Have a good week and thanks for reading.