#AtoZChallenge - Inquisitiveness

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

Inquisitiveness

Wow - that's a word, isn't it? 

I wasn't anywhere near the top of my class in school. but now?  I like to learn about random things. 

Sometimes I get sucked into a rabbit-hole about a topic and I'm sure the Spouse rolls his eyes at me, since he isn't as interested as me and I try to tell him about it. 

latest topic?  The Medal of Honor recipients. 

Of course, with my search & rescue team - there's a lot of courses I've had to take and also continuing education that is required to maintain qualifications.  That's actually easy since it's interesting. 

The FEMA courses, not so much, but the rest is good to go. 

I also have a fascination with cemeteries and what the carvings on headstones mean. 

Many moons ago when I was in the Navy, a bunch of us in my office had to option to get Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist qualifications.  It wasn't required, but gave us the right to have (AW) after our rank.  Basically we had to be very familiar with every type of aircraft affiliated with the carrier we were stationed on.  Then we had to take a written test and go in front of an oral board, which meant a bunch of higher ranking people who asked a LOT of questions.   Not long after I got my AW, the navy made it mandatory that one had to earn Surface Warfare Specialist first - which means all about the ships.  Which makes sense. 

I also love to watch YouTube videos with people making art or doing furniture restorations. 

SkyWatch Friday 4/9/26

We had a lot of weird weather last weekend!  

Friday at work was so dark & cloudy & rainy that I had to turn my desk lamp on (the overhead lights are usually off, because my manger & I like it that way!) but when I left, the sky on the other side of the building was clear & sunny! 

Needless to say, the further north we went, the more rain they had gotten.  

We went to my sister's house Saturday morning; to begin the Easter festivities and I was astounded at the amount of flooding!

Her barn actually flooded - thankfully not into the horses' stalls, tho.  All the houses along one section of road had their driveways washed out, since the water was flowing down the ditch. 

 

I've never noticed this guy before, since right across the road is a bison farm and we're usually looking for the bison! 

I was a little nervous to go thru here - I was hoping there was still a road! 

After I took this pic, I floored it and made an epic roostertail (and didn't lose my car!)!  

Why is it the prettiest sky pictures are in a parking lot? 

That's WalMart at the bottom left.  

Linking up with Yogi and everyone over at SkyWatch Fridays

#AtoZChallenge - Halloween!

Welcome to the Blogging from A to Z Challenge for 2026!

My theme this year is simply things that I’m grateful for.

It’s a broad and varied theme but was surprisingly easy to fill in each letter!

I was going to use "health" as my H letter, but seeing as how I currently weigh more than I did when I started Weight Watchers many moons ago - I chose not to use it. 

I can't believe I didn't choose "Halloween" to begin with anyway!

I've mentioned before - Halloween is my favorite holiday / time of the year.  

The Cemetery I put in my yard is called the Maple Grove Cemetery

There are also videos on YouTube - @maplegrovecemetery48317

Let's look at the evolution thru the years. 

I started it in 2008.

How quaint. 

I got a couple 4'x8' sheets of plywood and cut out the headstones.

Which, by the way - are still being used!

Daytime photos because other than the ghost blowmold, no lights!

2009 I made a coffin that the Spawn still fits in.

I didn't get painted until the next summer, tho.   

My dad passed away in late October, so this was put on hold. 

2010 brought my first inhabitants

and also the first lights in the form of 2 green floodlights out in the yard. 

2011

The Cemetery has a name!

2012 was the beginning of my skeleton addiction.

2013 brought the fence - too many kids were cutting across the neighbor's yard and right thru the cemetery.

Granted there weren't a LOT of lights out there yet, but there were a few extension cords out there that were mostly buried in leaves by the time trick or treat came around. 

2014 - a new sign (formerly known as a twin sized headboard)

The blowmolds were growing in numbers and were officially delegated to this side of the driveway so they didn't drown out the cemetery. 

2015

2016 was the first "theme" - a Masquerade Ball

the skeletons were dressed up and I made the first playlist. 

2017 I got the horse (and the pony, but not until the night before Halloween - so he just sort of stood out there.  This little section was the fox hunt. 

2018 began the vehicle section of the cemetery

The Spawn wrecked a Ford and then a Pontiac almost exactly a year later. 

The theme was "trick or treating"

We also built the shack.  The Spouse (my idea man) usually stays out of my way, but when I ask for specific help, he jumps right in.  I saw that window on the side of the road on trash day and went back to grab it.  The shack is designed for the window to be removed, then the sides fold in for storage.  

2019 - the first of the farm yard critters!

Which meant a hillbilly type theme.

The beagle silhouette is in memory of our beagle who had crossed the rainbow bridge the previous winter.  He had been out there "helping" me set up every year.  It was tough without him!

2020 I had a new helper!

So the grandkids will always expect to help out!

The theme this year was "family reunion"

2021 put the "Fun in funeral" 

The inspiration was from the orange funeral car flag that I saw on the side of the road one morning - and of course turned around to pick up - shown here on the horse's bridle. 

2022 - I'm really liking how the lights look now. 

LEDs for the win!

Official themes sort of fizzled out.

Helper #2 was only 2 weeks old for H'ween 2021

She's learning!

2023 - the 15th anniversary!

There's a whole lot more critters now - goats, pigs, geese, chickens & ducks!

2024 - I rather like that the trees don't drop their leaves until mid-November so the lights reflect up off of them. 

2025 - I've liked the light situation better the last couple years.  

Clearly something I need to work on for 2026

This was also the first year I stood out there and noted that it was rater "busy" with all the 

I also fell victim to Tractor Supply this year - spent an embarrassing amount of money there, but they had a great bunch of new critters, including the horse on the right side!

I added a possum with 5 babies, a handful of racoon babies (since I already had 3 big ones) a giant pig, a giant goose, a snake, a longhorn steer and a wheelbarrow. 

I have a notebook where I keep track of purchases, as well as where I jot down thoughts & ideas for the coming year.  It's useful to look back and see what I've done and need to do.